Wednesday May 27, 2009, 4:10 am
About Professor Chris O'Brien - from The Australian, April 17th, 2009

"AS surgeon Chris O'Brien shuffled to to the stage supported by a walking stick, those who had come to toast him rose to their feet.
The head and neck surgeon, who was given six months to live in 2006, was not well. Fatigue was now "unrelenting and profound''.

His left hand and arm were paralysed.

The surgeon, the face of the popular Channel Nine television show RPA before he was diagnosed with the very type of cancer he treated in others, feared his life was nearing its end.

Among the doctors, politicians and other supporters of his Lifehouse Cancer Treatment Facility, the condition of Professor O'Brien would not have come as a surprise to his close friend, prime minister Kevin Rudd.

The close bond the two men formed since Professor O'Brien first approached the then opposition leader to lobby his support for a new, integrated and holistic cancer treatment centre for the RPA, was on clear display.

In Sydney today, Mr Rudd announced an additional $100 million in funding for the Lifehouse Cancer Treatment Centre. Despite acknowledging Professor O'Brien's reluctance for the spotlight, Mr Rudd could not resist offering a few words about the man.

The prime minister struggled for composure as he spoke about the close friendship that has formed between the two men during Professor O'Brien illness.

"In the two years since I've known Chris, I've come to respect him deeply, to admire him deeply, to love him deeply as a first class human being,'' Mr Rudd said.

"It is one of the terrible ironies of life that a man like Chris would be diagnosed with the very type of cancer he did so much to fight against with his own patients.

"But Chris has made much good of it.

"This bloke is an inspiration, an example to the next generation of health professionals.''

After being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in 2006, Professor O'Brien, Australia's foremost head and neck surgeon, stepped down from his post as director of the Sydney Cancer Centre. Since then, he has devoted himself to the task of establishing a not-for-profit, cutting-edge multidisciplinary cancer treatment centre, Lifehouse.

Professor O'Brien said that his health was declining and his left arm and hand were now paralysed. Although doctors had believed that his chemotherapy was successfully battling the tumour, a recent scan revealed that the paralysis was due to a regression of his disease.

"In the past six weeks I've (suffered) unrelenting and profound fatigue,'' Professor O'Brien said.

"I believe I'm approaching the final episode of this journey.''

In a video message sent from England, Professor O'Brien's friend, former talkshow host Michael Parkinson said wanted to share several good bottle of red wine with the professor when he was next in Sydney. "Stop them from going sour,'' Parkinson said.

"Chris, I think you're going to be around for a lot longer than any of us around you,'' he said.

Work on the first stage of the new $300m treatment centre, which will also act as a research institute in collaboration with the University of Sydney, will begin at the end of this year, but the project needs an $50m. Contributions from private donors are being sought.

The treatment centre is due to be completed in 2012."

On the TV tonight he decided that as his 19 year old son had told him they wanted him to live, then that's what he would do and within hours, he had feeling back where the paralysis was.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 4:13 am
Australians will know Professor Chris O'Brien from the TV program RPA ... Royal Prince Alfred Hospital .... and this is his legacy. We will all remember his skill full hands and beautiful manner with his patients. He has since endured 5 brain surgeries.

"A message from Prof Michael Boyer, Director Sydney Cancer Centre-

It is with a great sense of excitement that I am able to tell you that the New Sydney Cancer Centre was officially launched in April 2009. Lifehouse at RPA is the vision of Professor Chris O'Brien who launched the project in 2006, shortly before he was diagnosed with cancer.

Cancer touches us all, killing 40,000 Australian every year. It is already the single largest cause of premature death in this country and the number of new cases is expected to rise significantly over the next 5 years. At Lifehouse we are passionate about improving care and outcomes for cancer patients, their families and carers.

Lifehouse will be a dedicated cancer hospital, designed around the needs of patients and their families. Research and education will be an integral part of what we do, ensuring that we make advances and train staff to improve outcomes and hope for the patients of tomorrow.

The Lifehouse model will also offer holistic care in the form of complementary therapies and support services alongside traditional medical care.

Lifehouse has been extremely fortunate to receive financial support from the Federal and State Governments for the new $300 million state-of-the-art cancer centre. In support of the Chris O'Brien Capital Appeal we need to raise $50 million to ensure that Chris' vision is fully realised. "

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 4:51 am
Isn't it something that it was launched in 2006 by Professor Chris O'Brien just before he was diagnosed with cancer? Like it was destiny. Sounds like a wonderful place to go for compassionate treatment and caring for cancer patients. Thank you Chrissy.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 5:59 am
Thank you for sharing this Chrissy. I will read it all later in the day

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 8:31 am
Any support to help fight cancer is vital indeed.

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 3:07 pm
Thnx Chrissy!!

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 3:43 pm
Aww Chrissy this is just wonderful..Yes..absolutely special indeed..and what a heart touching twist to the story..
Kudo's to Professor Chris O'Brien..for his vision..his strength..hope..and his incredible heart..so caring and giving to so many..
Thank you Chrissy for sharing this..
Duly noted my dear friend..

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 10:04 pm
That's soooo great Chrissy!!

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 10:47 pm
You all need extras greenstars girls!

Wednesday May 27, 2009, 11:01 pm
And before anyone pops in ....

"Lifehouse will provide a full range of services including diagnosis, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, as well as support, wellness and complementary healthcare facilities. A centre of excellence, Lifehouse at RPA will integrate clinical care, research and education creating opportunities for innovative discoveries, compassionate holistic care and better outcomes for patients."

"Lifehouse at RPA, the new Sydney Cancer Centre is accessible by public and private patients alike. Public in-patients will be treated in the same way they are currently and private in-patients will be billed subject to agreements reached between Lifehouse, the private insurance groups, and the doctors who work there. Ambulatory Care services will be billed in the same way they are today."

Thursday June 4, 2009, 9:06 pm
I am sitting here heartbroken. From when we, along with most of Australia, first met Chris on RPA and recognised his talents and the compassion he felt towards and gave his patients, we knew he was someone special.

We have followed his brave battle with his "beast" and hoped that he would be entitled to achieve one of the miracles that he gave others. Sadly, that was not to be, but he did get to see his wonderful legacy of Lifehouse up and going.

Both myself (Stage 3 Esophageal cancer) and my husband (Stage 4 Kidney cancer) know that this centre will be a marvellous facility for the Australian people. It is reassuring to know that complimentary treatments will be available alongside traditional.

Know that our hearts are breaking and we send our sincere condolences to his wife and children, along with those at RPA and Lifehouse.

Please check out the news postings of Professor Chris O'Briens' passing.

Saturday June 6, 2009, 2:14 am
Aww Chrissy I am so sorry for this great loss to so many there..His heart and Soul will always live on in his legacy..
((hug))

Sunday June 7, 2009, 9:04 pm
I appreciate your news stories Chrissy

Tuesday October 27, 2009, 5:41 am
if you would like further information about Lifehouse at RPA - The Chris O'Brien Cancer Centre, please register your interest at enquiries@lifehouserpa.org.au.