Albany quiz night raises $5000 for cancer centre patients as facility nears finish-line

A quiz night raising funds for the care and comfort of patients at Albany’s future radiation oncology service has brought in thousands of dollars as part of local cancer campaigner Mary Williams’ final fundraising push before the centre opens next year.

The Denmark woman has been a vocal advocate in the fight for the region’s first cancer treatment unit, putting pressure on politicians and raising about $40,000 to improve the the “care, comfort and needs” of patients once the building is complete.

Work on the $13.1 million facility started in May with the service scheduled to be operational in the second half of next year.

The facility will house a specialised radiation bunker known as a Linac suite, where a medical linear accelerator will use high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells while sparing surrounding tissues.

About 300 patients a year from across the Great Southern are expected to use the service.

Ms Williams held the sold-out quiz night at Albany’s Stirling Club on Friday evening bringing in an estimated $5000 for the cause.

“The night was absolutely terrific, people totally supported the project — I’m overwhelmed to be honest and I was on the night,” she said.

“Albany really did us proud and we are forever grateful from all of our patients and myself. It’s just a big thank you to everyone.

“A huge shout out to the most incredible and wonderful people who have helped me, to all of the shops and people who have come on board with the most wonderful gifts that you could possibly imagine.”

Ms Williams will continue her fundraising efforts with a fundraiser in Plantagenet in February and Walpole in April, finishing off with a barn dance in Kojonup.