In June last year, Marie's dad, Phil Pearce, received a daunting diagnosis of cancer in the parotid gland in his neck.
"The diagnosis was frightening for all of us; when you mention cancer and radiation, it becomes a bit more real,” says Marie.
The family property is situated north of Gympie in Woolooga, an almost two-hour drive to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH), where Phil was told he needed to undergo twenty rounds of radiation treatment.
Initially, the family believed that the daily commute to the hospital was manageable. However, after the first week, they quickly realised the toll it would take on Phil, his wife Pat, and his caregiver and daughter Marie.
"We did one week of driving, which was incredibly long and a lot harder than I thought it was going to be," Marie explains.
The family opted to stay at the Wishlist Centre, located directly opposite SCUH, for the remaining three weeks of Phil's treatment.
"Everything about Wishlist Centre is amazing - there's not one thing you could complain about. Everything is immaculate - the kitchen is beautiful, the unit has everything you could possibly want, and the volunteers are all friendly and more than happy to help you out.”
Since opening its doors in November 2022, the facility, run mostly by volunteers, has played a pivotal role in keeping over 900 families together during turbulent times.
"Wishlist Centre isn't just a place to stay for patients receiving ongoing treatment or transitioning to and from the hospital—it's a testament to the power of community resilience,” Wishlist Accommodation Manager Tracey Sobey says.
For Maree and her parents, both in their eighties, Wishlist Centre became a home away from home.
Pat enjoyed spending time in the herb garden and cooking in the kitchen, while it provided Phil with the ability to rest during the day after treatment.
"Having a place for Dad to rest was fantastic - it's so peaceful there. If you don't want to rest, there are plenty of other things - you've got the canal right there, and you can go on walks to the shops if you need groceries."
Marie hopes that by sharing her family's story, she can raise awareness in the Gympie region about Wishlist’s affordable patient and family accommodation for those needing to travel for medical treatment.
"Honestly, just book in - you need to do it for your own sanity. You're going through an emotional rollercoaster dealing with your loved one, so take a bit of a rest and stay there.”
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