The $18.3million, 43-apartment complex, next to Christchurch Hospital, is owned and operated by the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust.
It’s an extension of the 26-apartment Ranui House, which provides a home away from home to patients and families, 24% of whom this year are from Otago and Southland, undergoing life-changing medical treatment.
Bone Marrow Cancer Trust CEO Mandy Kennedy, a former Queenstowner, says the accommodation is for anyone undergoing medical treatment in Christchurch.
"We take care of patients of all ages and treatment types — not just cancer."
Having worked on the project for several years, Kennedy says the doors can’t open soon enough.
"Our trust saw this coming quite some time ago.
"The demand is constant, and growing.
"Last year we declined over 650 families [at Ranui House], simply because we had no space — that’s about 3500 bed nights, and they’re only the ones we know about."
The opening of the apartments will make the trust the largest provider of free accommodation for patients, and their families, in the South Island.
Kennedy says "99%" of patients are eligible for the National Travel Assistance Programme accommodation subsidy, but that doesn’t cover the full cost of one night’s stay, which is about $180.
"That’s why we fundraise."
Along with providing a "home away from home", the trust, and volunteers, run various programmes to remove stress from people going through their darkest hours, enabling them to focus on their health journeys.
That includes weekly family afternoon teas, a dinner programme dubbed ‘Meals from the Heart’ and visits from pet therapy dogs.
The trust recently launched the ‘Time Together’ campaign, to support the apartments’ opening, and help cover the shortfall.
"Like many major building projects, the closer we get to the end, the thinner the line gets between the red and the black," Kennedy says.
"We have received incredible support to get this far, and we ask our community to give generously, to help us get the doors of Ranui Apartments open.
"Together, we can fulfil our mission of never having to turn away a patient or family in need."
To donate, visit ranuiapartments.org.nz
