A BENDIGO family has given its name to a new cancer wellness centre, after making a generous donation to the project.
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A treatment support facility at Bendigo Health has been named the Gobbé Wellness Centre, after benefactors Alan and Helen Gobbé.
The service will offer complementary therapies for patients and their families going through cancer.
Read more: Cancer focus on wellness a Bendigo first
Benefactor Helen Gobbé said she and late husband Alan wanted to leave something lasting for the hospital after they each went through cancer treatment there.
Mrs Gobbé said a "wonderful" partner and friends meant she was lucky in her own experience of cancer treatment, but she was conscious of the challenges for people new to town, or with children, or who had to travel.
"Whoever it is, it's not an easy thing to go through cancer, your life's at stake here," she said.
Bendigo Health chair Bob Cameron said the centre would create homely community for people with cancer, with services such as a sleeping pod, reflexology, massage and a library.
He said Bendigo Health wanted people in a comfortable environment, where they felt understood.
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"The importance of this is people know, they're not only getting a service, but they're also getting somewhere they can feel comfortable," Mr Cameron said.
"Going to hospital is not a great experience for a lot of people, so being made to feel comfortable and part of the process is a tremendous thing for patients and helps bring about an improvement in their wellbeing."
Mr Cameron said Mrs Gobbé's generosity was an important part of allowing the wellness centre to operate, alongside initiatives such as Dry July.
The Gobbé Wellness Centre will open in early 2021.
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