The 4,000 square foot facility, funded by The Hong Kong Cancer Fund and supported by the Department of Clinical Oncology and the Prince of Wales Hospital, is designed on the concept of an Oasis of Calm, and will play a vital role in offering counseling and support programmes for cancer patients and their families. It will also act as a referral service to different support groups, making the road to recovery a smooth one.

The centre is designed with a modern and positive feel and will boast:

· three private counseling rooms for social workers and healthcare workers to discuss sensitive information with cancer patients;
· two relaxation rooms equipped with massage chairs where people can escape the ritual of their treatment;
· a multi-function room with full audiovisual equipment which can be used for lectures and seminars on cancer related issues;
· a library packed with up-to-the-minute cancer information including 33 titles published by the Cancer Fund about each disease, treatment options, and helpful guidance on how to cope with the disease;
· an internet area with six computers for electronic access to the latest cancer information;
· a lymphoedema room, staffed by a specialist lymphoedema nurse and equipped with the latest technology to cater for the management of arm swelling for women after breast cancer surgery.

Mrs. Betty Tung, wife of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, officiated at the Inauguration Ceremony of Cancer Patient Resource Centre. Other guests included Mrs. Sally Lo, Chairman of The Hong Kong Cancer Fund; Dr. Ko Wing Man, Director of Professional Services & Public Affairs of Hospital Authority; Dr. Fung Hong, Cluster Chief Executive of New Territories East; Professor Sydney Chung, Dean of Faculty of Medicine, CUHK; and Professor Anthony Chan, Chairman and Chief of Service of the Department of Clinical Oncology, CUHK.

Mrs. Sally Lo, Chairman of The Hong Kong Cancer Fund, said, "It is The Hong Kong Cancer Fund's mission to make sure everyone diagnosed with cancer is given the right support and information. This centre highlights our unwavering commitment to providing seamless cancer care from the point of diagnosis, through treatment and to recovery."

Dr. Fung Hong, Cluster Chief Executive of New Territories East, added, "Under one roof, a person diagnosed with cancer can be assured of receiving comprehensive and multi-disciplinary care. The Centre highlights how psychosocial support has become an integral part in the overall treatment of a patient."

"State-of-the-art cancer care is built on the solid foundations of education and research, delivered by workers with compassion and dedication. The establishment of the Centre demonstrates how quality education and comprehensive research of the Faculty of Medicine at CUHK has made unique contribution to the enhancement of cancer care," Professor Sydney Chung, Dean of Faculty of Medicine, CUHK added.

Organizer of the project, Professor Tony Mok from CUHK, reinforced this sentiment by saying, "The diagnosis of cancer is a traumatic experience to a patient. We are providing what all cancer patients deserve: an Oasis of Calm - a place empowered with latest information that aims to alleviate their physical and psychological stress and regain control of their lives again."

The Cancer Patient Resource Centre will provide a new base of research on psychosocial support and quality of life for cancer patients. It will further foster the leading role of the Department of Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine of CUHK in clinical and translational research on cancer therapy. It is also the latest addition to The Hong Kong Cancer Fund's network of support services in hospitals and in the community and will cater for the needs of cancer patients from the point of diagnosis. CancerLink, Asia's first CPRC outside of a hospital setting, will provide psychosocial care after treatment has finished as well as free resources to cancer patient support groups.