Icon builds support for armed forces

With Townsville becoming Australia's largest garrison city, one of the country's leading cancer care providers has made a "crucial step forward" in helping to support the hundreds of military personnel moving to the region.

The team at Icon Cancer Centre Townsville has begun working closely with doctors and nurses at the Australian Defence Force (ADF)Lavarack Barracks base.

Its numbers are expected to swell to over 5,000 in 2025 as part of an army restructure, with 500 more personnel being deployed to North Queensland.

"It is important for Icon, and the Townsville community, that we have a strong relationship and good communication with the ADF so we can provide them the care they need, when they need it," Icon Townsville's Site Manager Georgina Whelan said.

"I want to solidify Icon as the go-to for defence doctors and nurses on base – someone who they come to when their personnel require care or if there are questions on a potential diagnosis.

"It also means we are doing everything we can to ensure our servicemen and women can receive exceptional and timely care so they can get back out and serve."

The first step involved a 'lunch and learn' session with Icon haematologist Dr Sunaina Miranda in March, focused on blood disorders, which will be followed by updates on skin cancer treatments in medical oncology in June.

Ms Whelan said Icon Group had worked hard to develop its relationship with the North Queensland community since opening the Townsville centre in 2013, and aimed to extend these efforts by supporting the ADF.

"We have been slowly building a relationship with the ADF over our past 10 years in Townsville, and we aim to continue to strengthen this long into the future.

"We are grateful to finally have the opportunity to speak to them in person – putting a trusted face to a name – so they feel comfortable to reach out when they have an issue or question," she said.

"We plan to hold education sessions at least once a quarter – as well as being a trusted source of support outside of these sessions.

"At Icon we are committed to being part of the communities we serve and ensure people have access to support, education and treatment as close to home as possible.

"This is another example of how we continue to be part of the local community and build meaningful relationships for healthier lives."

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