Since beginning her work on the Border as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, "the bulk" of Queenie Chan's reconstructive work has been related to skin cancer.
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Now, 65 fewer local patients will have to travel to Melbourne after a new electric dermatome kit and skin graft mesher was donated by the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund.
Dr Chan said it enabled treatment to be delivered at both campuses of Albury Wodonga Health.
"It's certainly a big portion of my work because of the incidence of skin cancer within our community," she said.
"This new equipment that has just come through thanks to the Cancer Trust has two components: dermatome and the mesher.
"Having this vital equipment on board, we can be a lot more accurate and take cancer surgery and reconstructive surgery ... (to a level) on par with what we currently have across most hospitals in Sydney and Melbourne.
"With the accuracy of this grafting technique, it improves wound healing, reduces the amount of post-op dressing care that is involved and aids patients getting back to work and back to their lives."
AWRCC Trust Fund board member Bryan Blake said skin cancer had a large disease burden in Australia and it was important to provide optimal care close to home.
"This allows us to have treatments here in Wodonga, as well as in Albury," he said.
"The fund provided $40,000 towards this equipment, and that comes off the back of $337,000 in funding last year for breast reconstruction surgery equipment.
"I know a number of people who've had surgeries locally and this is a game changer.
"I think everyone in the region has probably got someone in the family that's had to travel to Melbourne for treatment.
"We as a trust are trying to raise the money to support the cancer services to avoid that."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Mr Blake said the Lake Hume Cycle Challenge would be the next fundraiser for the Trust, after a steady year despite pandemic hurdles.
"Sunshine Week raised over $230,000 this year and many individuals and businesses have stepped up and supported us while we couldn't have activities," he said.
"Overall we get a lot of feedback about how important it is for families to be able to be local."
