New figures released on World Health Day today show that since 2017, Cancer Council SA’s Lodges have provided more than 150,000 nights of supported accommodation to regional and remote South Australians travelling to Adelaide for cancer treatment.

The Lodges, located on Greenhill Road and Dequetteville Terrace, have been providing supported accommodation to regional South Australians for the past 25 years.

The lodges have become a lifeline for many who need to travel to Adelaide for treatment, with research from Professor David Roder AM from the University of South Australia showing that South Australians are more likely to die within five years of a cancer diagnosis the further they live from the city.

With World Health Day promoting equitable access to health and wellbeing, Cancer Council SA Chief Executive Kerry Rowlands said the lodges play a key role in ensuring regional South Australians have access lifesaving treatment, whenever they need it.

“We know that travelling to Adelaide for cancer treatment can place a huge pressure on individuals and their families, many of whom have to spend long periods away from home, at a time when they need loved ones the most.”

“Our Lodges create a home away from home, offering meals, transport, social work and recreation facilities to ensure that no South Australian has to face their diagnosis alone.”

“We are committed to ensuring that every regional South Australian impacted by cancer has the support they need to access life-saving treatment today, and into the future.”

Cancer Council SA is currently building the next generation in cancer care with their new, integrated cancer building at 202 Greenhill Road Eastwood.

The building will give the organisation’s supported accommodation facilities a much-needed facelift, with 120 rooms of brand-new accommodation offered alongside Cancer Council SA’s research, prevention and support services.

“We are incredibly proud of the role that we play in supporting regional South Australians to access life-saving cancer treatment and know that our new building will continue this proud legacy, while also integrating all our vital services and supports in one, central location,” Ms Rowlands said.

In the last year alone, Cancer Council SA provided over 27,400 nights of accommodation to regional South Australians, including more than 7,300 nights of accommodation to those travelling from the South Australian Outback region.

The Cancer Council’s Lodge accommodation rates are $40 per person for the first two people and $10 for an additional person in a family room.

Priority is given to those undergoing cancer treatment in Adelaide but guests with other medical appointments are welcome to stay.

The Council also provides volunteer transport from the lodges to major treatment centres.