Ballina Electorate Media Releases
Cancer sufferer joins campaign to secure a pet/ct scanner for the Northern Rivers (16/10/2008)
A Byron Bay businessman has joined doctors, health professionals, politicians and community members in the campaign to get a PET/CT scanner in the Northern Rivers.
Warren Meanwell knows how valuable a PET/CT scanner is for detecting cancer and the spread of the disease. 47-year-old Warren is currently facing his challenges with cancer.
He was diagnosed with Melanoma two years ago after discovering a mole on his ankle. Despite treatment the cancer has spread.
“I have had numerous PET/CT scans in recent times, the last one was three weeks ago,” Warren said.
“The closest machine available to me is in Brisbane,” he said.
“We left home at Federal at 10:30 in the morning and got home 11 hours later.
“I was recovering from surgery at the time and was not feeling well so it was a very long day for us,” Warren said.
“To have a PET/CT scanner in this area would benefit so many people, not just people like me who are living with cancer,” he said.
“PET/CT scanners are not just used to diagnose and identify cancers, but they can be used in the detection and treatment of heart disease and brain disorders.
Warren Meanwell and his wife Kerryn have two young children aged 9 and 11 and run a business based at Bryon Bay which sells a range of sun protection products aimed at reducing skin cancer.
The campaign to get a PET/CT scanner in the Northern Rivers is also being supported by Nuclear Radiologists, Dr. John Mulholland and Dr. Warren Lun.
“The PET/CT scanner is regarded as the best cancer detection machine in the world,” Dr Mulholland said.
“One machine costs approximately $5-million and there are on-going operating costs so this project has to be supported by the community as well as the New South Wales and Federal Governments,” Dr. Mulholland said.
The first major fundraiser for the PET/CT scanner will be a black-tie ball that will be held on the 25 October 2008 at the Ballina RSL. Tickets are still available. For more information contact Don Page, Member for Ballina, on 6686 7522.
