Members of the Rotary Club of Orange North  helped unload new furniture for the second stage of the building recently.

Western Care Lodge provides accommodation for patients from central  and western NSW receiving radiotherapy treatment at Orange Health Service.

Stage one of the lodge was completed in September 2011, and construction of stage two began in July, 2013 to cater for the increasing number of patients receiving treatment in Orange, since a second linear accelerator was installed at the hospital.

The new rooms will be similar to the existing facility, with beds for the patient and their carer, an ensuite and an outdoor sitting area.

An additional laundry has also been built as part of the extension.

“All patients and their carers share a spacious kitchen, dining and lounge area at the unit, which provides an opportunity for people to share their experiences if they wish to do so, or to make new friends,” Cancer Care Western NSW fundraising chair Jan Savage said.

Another fridge and freezer were also installed to cope with the additional number of patients.

“Our fundraising will continue, as Cancer Care Western NSW needed to take out a loan to complete the building on time, It was essential patients arriving after Christmas had somewhere to stay,” Mrs Savage said.

The cost of stage two is $1.4 million.

“The first $1 million was raised in a short time, so we will be working hard in the New Year, with many activities including Cruisin’ Along [car rally],” Mrs Savage said.

Since Western Care Lodge opened two years ago it has enjoyed 100 per cent occupancy.

People wishing to make a donation should contact Jan Savage on 6362 7665.

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au