10/02/2026
Cancer patients in the Southern Highlands can now be medically prepared for stem cell transplants closer to home.
Meet retired farmer Robert Heffernan. Diagnosed with a rare blood cancer in November last year, he used to have to travel over an hour to Liverpool Hospital and back three times a week for his treatment.
“The initial travel to Liverpool was absolutely exhausting for me and for my wife who had to come in case I had a bleed in transit or experienced side effects from the treatment,” Robert said.
Instead, Robert’s haematologist has arranged to send his immunotherapy drugs, which only have a 24-hour shelf life, to Ramsay Health Care's Southern Highlands Private Hospital where he undergoes treatment at the cancer centre.
“The transition to Southern Highlands Cancer Centre has been terrific because it means I can access everything I need, including my haematologist, immunotherapy infusions, blood tests and transfusions, just 10 minutes from home. It has made a massive difference to our lives.”
As we recognise World Cancer Day this month, we are proud to share Robert’s story as an example of Ramsay Health Care's dedication to building a more connected, consisted, and research-led cancer care network for Australians.