Grant propels Tauranga cancer clinic

By ELEANOR BLACK

TAURANGA - A Tauranga family's search for answers to their high risk of stomach cancer has been advanced with a $200,000 grant to build a clinic.

Cancer has claimed the lives of at least 30 members of the McLeod family in the past 30 years. The whanau have lent their experience to Otago University researchers who have isolated the mutant gene that causes gastric tumours.

The researchers will now have a place to stay and work when they visit the McLeods at Tamapahore Marae. The clinic will also provide space for genetic blood testing, endoscopy clinics and other medical testing. Samples will be analysed off-site.

"We have worked so hard to make the research centre and clinic a reality," said project manager Maybelle McLeod, who was delighted with the grant from the Bay of Plenty Community Trust.

"It means everything to us and we still can't believe it's actually happening."

The McLeods still have to raise $130,000, to pay for the rest of the construction and to fit out the centre with carpet, curtains and furniture.

There are almost 400 McLeods registered with the clinic, and other members of the Ngapotiki hapu will use it, said clinical coordinator Pauline Harawira.

She hopes to hire a permanent doctor for the centre, which is under construction.