Jim Carney Cancer Treatment Centre celebrates 10 years and over 45,000 treatments

Ten years ago, on 7 November 2014, the efforts of an entire Northland community came to fruition when the Jim Carney Cancer Treatment Centre at Whangārei Hospital officially opened.

The new facility, named after the late Jim Carney, a prominent Whangārei businessman and philanthropist whose family made a generous donation to it, was officially opened by his wife, Mary Carney.

The Centre was built thanks to several local philanthropists, businesses and ‘Project Promise’ – a capital fundraising campaign managed by the Northland Community Foundation.

The amalgamation of these fundraising efforts was hugely successful, touching the hearts of thousands of Northlanders who generously supported the state-of-the-art facility which has now performed over 45,000 treatments for the Te Tai Tokerau community.

The diverse support included Apikaira (Api) Theodore, who walked 488 kilometres over 25 days, raising awareness about cancer, a $50,000 donation from Project Promise patron Wally Yovich, $150,000 raised by the BNZ Community Brick Wall campaign and a $1 million bequest from an anonymous Bay of Islands benefactor.

This outstanding community support and generosity resulted in $3 million being raised in less than four years to bring the ambitious plan to fruition.

The final cost of the Centre was $5 million, with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (formally Northland District Health Board) agreeing to contribute the balance.

On 20 February 2014, around eighty people attended the Mauri stone ceremony and sod-turning event, representing the businesses, community organisations, service groups, individuals, and families who supported Project Promise. Eight months later, on 17 November 2014, the Centre opened its doors to the first patient.

Several new initiatives have been implemented in the last 10 years, including the establishment of a nurse-led Chemotherapy Infusion Unit at Kaitaia Hospital in 2017 and at Bay of Islands Hospital in 2024. Both initiatives allow some patients to receive their cancer therapy locally, reducing the need for long, stressful travel to Whangārei.

Construction of the new 1800 square metre Linear Accelerator (LINAC) facility is forging ahead with impressive strides, setting the stage for a state-of-the-art medical centre by March 2026.

Patients and staff will celebrate the 10th-anniversary milestone on 14 November with a special cake to acknowledge a decade of dedication to patient care, advancements in treatment, and supporting people during their cancer journey.