Cancer Society of New Zealand

History

The Lions Cancer Lodge - 1971-2011

The idea of building special accommodation for radiotherapy patients was first proposed in 1965 by Eric Grocott, secretary of the former Waikato Division of the Cancer Society. A year later Lloyd Fraser of the Hamilton Lions Club initiated the project and Lions Clubs of District 202C gave their commitment to raising funds for it.

The first stage, completed in February 1971, consisted of public rooms and 14 bedrooms.  The Lions responded again in 1974 when expansion was needed. An appeal committee headed by Hori Carter of Whakatane raised over $180,000 in one night; sufficient to complete the second stage of 14 more bedrooms. At the opening of the new wing in June 1976, the keys to the building were presented to the Cancer Society.

Years later, for a third time, the Lions Clubs from Districts 202C, 2021 and part of 202A rallied behind the fundraising effort, this time under leadership of a past District Governor, Mr Bruce Hooker. In less than a year the Lions Clubs raised $953,000 towards the total project cost of $1.71 million. At the opening ceremony on November 14, 1995, the building was named the Lions Cancer Lodge in recognition of the magnificent part played by Lions Clubs in its development.

Plaques throughout the building acknowledge the generosity of Lions, other major contributors and individual donors, who have made the Lodge possible.

The new Cancer Society's Lions Lodge - Opened February 2011

The Lions Cancer Lodge was bought by the Waikato District Health Board (WDHB) in 2009 as a result of their need to expand their services. As we had already been informed about these plans, in 2007 we bought the old Braemar  Hospital site on Lake Road to turn into the new Cancer Society's Lions Lodge.  The new Lodge opened in February 2011. This site is close to the hospital, spacious, in central Hamilton and has stunning views of the lake. The new Lodge will also let us expand our support services and health promotion activities