Twenty-five years hard work by a small army of volunteers has culminated with the reopening of the St George Cancer Care Centre.
An appreciation night held on Wednesday unveiled the world-class cancer treatment facility at St George Hospital to supporters of the Cancer Care Centre Building Fund.
The centre had been built in stages over many years with the final build costing $5.4 million.
The new centre is more than three times the size of the old facility and now includes 18 chemotherapy chairs, two procedure chairs and three private bedrooms.
The final stage includes a stunning atrium which links the Cancer Care Centre and the Pitney Building where many of the medical staff are housed, to provide all weather access for patients and medical staff.
The outpatient clinic has been expanded from nine to 16 consulting rooms and there are three purpose-built review spaces, taking the number of outpatient clinic spaces to 19.
There is easy access to all areas of the centre which has no stairs and is all on one level.
Warren O'Rourke, chairman of the St George Hospital Cancer Care Centre Building Fund, said the project had been a huge community undertaking.
''The sum of money that was raised was $16 million and $1.5 million of that was from the government which gives you some idea of the amount of community funds that have come in to us in various forms,'' Mr O'Rourke said.
''I think without question it is a world-class facility and one that will stand the test of time.
''It's a great example of a community banding together to achieve an objective of providing state-of-the-art facilities for those suffering from cancer.
''It has been a huge undertaking which has spanned 25 years and what we are showcasing tonight is the final stage of this essential community asset.
''While going through cancer treatment is very personal and confronting, I'm sure patients will enjoy the ambience, as well as the privacy and dignity that the new centre will afford.''
Mr O'Rourke said it was not only the patients that would benefit but also cancer centre staff.
"Morale has improved immensely and there is a high degree of excitement about how the centre is designed, the space they have to work in and the facilities at their disposal," he said.
The building fund committee that co-ordinated the project over more than 20 years includes Associate Professor Winston Liauw, Dr Bill Lynch, Phil Bates AM, Rob Robson, the Hon Brian Langton and Mr O'Rourke.
An honour board in the reception atrium sets out all the people and organisations which have given generously to the project over the years including Club Central, Georges River Council and the state government.
Over the years the foundation has raised millions but much of the fundraising has also been in kind support like that of John Bonnici from Bonn Electrics who has had one of the new chemotherapy chairs in the centre named in his honour.
''John carried out all the electrical and data work, including all plans and specifications, absolutely free of charge for all stages of the project,'' Mr O'Rourke said.
Director of Cancer Care services, and a member of the fundraising committee, Associate Professor Winston Liauw said when the cancer care centre opened a quarter of a century ago it was the first comprehensive cancer care centre in NSW co-locating medical oncology, radiation oncology, haemotology and palliative care services.
''So it was state of the art at the time but over 25 years we've quickly outgrown the service,'' Associate Professor Liauw said.
''The building that has been unveiled today represents the work of many, many volunteers.
"For the last 12 months there have been 50,000 visits to the cancer centre. Patients coming to clinics for treatments, to plan their treatments and visit the nurses and allied health.
"But it's not just about churn it's about results. On May 27 the Cancer Institute NSW released its annual report into the state of cancer services in NSW.
"Compared to the rest of NSW, South East Sydney of which we are part, achieved equivalent or better survival figures than the rest of the state.
''So if you come to St George Cancer Care Centre you can expect to experience the highest quality care."
St George Hospital general manager Leisa Rathborne said it had been an absolute privilege to work with the cancer care foundation.
''The latest facilities worth $5.4 million has really made a significant difference to the care that we can provide to our patients," Ms Rathborne said.
''Last year we provided 50,000 treatments to 2790 patients. this large group of patients that we were able to treat, with some amazing outcomes, wouldn't have been achieved without the support of the cancer care foundation.
''This project is such a fine example of how a community committee can work closely with the hospital, the medical staff, community leaders and the government to achieve a first class facility for patients.''
