A former cancer patient says Griffith's recently announced radiotherapy centre will make things "so much easier" for cancer sufferers.
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Once constructed, the centre will mean Griffith-based cancer sufferers no longer need to make the four hour round trip to Wagga to receive radiotherapy treatment.
Merveen Sjollema, a Hanwood resident diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2017, experienced the difficulties of travelling to Wagga for treatment first-hand.
For seven weeks in 2017, Mrs Sjollema had to spend Monday to Friday in Wagga, receiving radiotherapy treatment while seperated completely from her family.
"It was pretty emotional and it was draining," she said. "I was just lucky I had a sister that lives in Wagga but a lot of people don't have that."
Mrs Sjollema said it is "absolutely wonderful" people won't have to travel so far from home for cancer treatment like she did.
"It will be fantastic," Mrs Sjollema said. "When you're going through treatment, you just want to do it, get it done, come home, sleep in your own bed, and go for lunch with your friends."
Nothing beats your own bed and walking in your own back door.
- Merveen Sjollema, former cancer patient
"People with cancer in Griffith now will be able to do what they have to do and then go back to the people they love.
"Lillier Lodge [Wagga accommodation for people during cancer treatment] is amazing and it's all set up well - but nothing beats home.
"Nothing beats your own bed and walking in your own back door."
The new centre was announced by Member for Farrer Sussan Ley on February 12.
Riverina Cancer Care will be building the state-of-the-art radiation therapy centre at the Griffith Medical Specialist Centre, with aims of finishing construction in 2022.
The announcement comes off the back of years of campaigning from local cancer support groups, but Mrs Sjollema admitted she was surprised it was actually happening.
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"I'll be honest I didn't think it was ever going to happen," Mrs Sjollema said.
"When Sussan Ley announced it, I was excited but also stunned."
"I thought it was a pipe dream."