Cancer-care 'home' marks 30 years

Bob and Diana Lee-Maynard say Domain Lodge is more comfortable than home. Photo / Supplied

A much-needed home away from home for cancer patients and their families is celebrating 30 years of service.

Domain Lodge in Auckland is run by the Cancer Society and provides accommodation to patients who have to travel to the region for treatment.

Bob and Diana Lee-Maynard returned home to Whangarei yesterday after their most recent stay at the lodge. All up, the couple have spent 66 days there.

"It's more comfortable there than at home," said Mrs Lee-Maynard.

Mr Lee-Maynard was diagnosed with vocal chord cancer in December and had his voice box removed in March. Since then he has had several sessions of daily radiotherapy treatment in Auckland.

"There are the most wonderful people at the lodge, I don't think we would have survived without them."

Mrs Lee-Maynard said the support from staff and other guests is invaluable.

"It's a shame the reason you have to go there. You feel as though you're on holiday but you're not."

The couple recently found out Bob's cancer had returned, this time to his lungs. She said the lodge means they do not have to worry because they know they will be taken care of.

Domain Lodge opened in 1979 as a 10-room motel in Grafton and in 1998 it moved to a temporary site at the Aberdeen Motel on Great South Rd. In November 1999 the "new" Domain Lodge opened its doors. Since reopening, the Lodge has provided around 12,000 free bed nights to patients and families each year, with 90 per cent from Northland.

John Loof, chief executive of the Auckland Cancer Society, said the anniversary also marked the launch of the Davis Carr Domain Lodge Endowment Trust.

"We are putting money away for the long term so interest can run the trust."

The public will get a chance to look around the lodge and its gardens on Saturday, November 14.