Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (09:46): I rise to acknowledge the incredible work of the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
A friend of my office, at a very fit and healthy 38 years of age, recently went from feeling 100 per cent to the ICU at the Royal Melbourne in the space of a few days, with an aggressive cancer that had metastasised to multiple sites in his body and compromised his liver function.
Chris Farrington, a talented barrister and active father of six- and nine-year-old boys, was given just weeks to live. But in the background, a team at Peter Mac were able to identify a protein driving the aggressive cancer and effectively turn it off via immunotherapy. Although not completely out of the woods, Chris was able to return home within days.
I can think of no clearer example of the benefit of an integrated research and cancer centre in Northern Metropolitan Region, set in Melbourne’s biotechnology cluster of more than 180 companies. We are world-leading in this space, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to the staff of both hospitals.
Fiona Patten MP
Leader of Reason
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region
Members Statement 30/10/19