The Lions Club has donated a $49,950 Paxman Scalp Cooling System to our Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital, helping chemotherapy patients significantly reduce hair loss during treatment. This donation forms part of more than $61,000 raised by Lions, which will also help fund essential accessories for the machine.

Calvary Mater Newcastle Cancer Services Operations Manager, Marissa Ledlin, thanked Lions Australia for the continued support.

“This equipment makes a tangible difference for patients navigating one of the hardest times of their lives. It empowers them to make a choice about their treatment and what is happening to them, helping them feel more in control during what can be an emotional and overwhelming time,” Ms Ledlin said.

“It is wonderful that we will now be able to provide this important treatment to more of our patients. We are deeply grateful to Lions for making this possible.”

Scalp cooling technology alleviates damage to the hair follicle that is caused by chemotherapy. It works by reducing the temperature of the scalp by a few degrees immediately before, during, and after the administration of chemotherapy.

This in turn reduces the blood flow to the hair follicles. Patients wear a cap that is connected to a mobile machine via which scalp cooling therapy is delivered.

The patient is required to wear the cap for approximately one hour prior to treatment, during the administration of chemotherapy (usually 4-6 hours), and for approximately one hour post treatment.

“Hair loss is one of the most feared side effects of chemotherapy and also makes a personal cancer journey a very public one”, said Geoff Boyton, Project Co-ordinator, Lions Club of Newcastle. “This machine gives patients the dignity of choice and helps support their emotional and physical wellbeing while undergoing cancer treatment.”

Calvary Mater Newcastle is the major cancer care centre in the Hunter, with its Day Treatment Centre providing about 15,000 treatments annually.

Calvary Mater Newcastle’s Day Treatment Centre will now have three scalp cooling machines, with each machine being able to treat two patients at any one time.

Funding for the project has been made possible through a collaboration of Lions at every level with Lions Club of Newcastle providing $10,000, other Lions Clubs In the zone pledging $9,950, a $15,000 grant provided by Australian Lions Foundation and $15,000 from NSW-ACT Lions Sight and Health Foundation.

“Community service is at the heart of what Lions do, and this project is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when clubs work together with hospitals and foundations for the good of local families,” said Wayne Kirk, President, Newcastle Lions Club.

From all of us here at Calvary, thank you, Lions Club, for your extraordinary generosity. You're helping to give our patients comfort, dignity, and choice throughout their cancer treatment.