The Gandel Wing welcomed its first patients today – fittingly on St Frances Xavier Cabrini’s birthday, the missionary sister who established the order that took over the hospital in 1948.

Malvern resident Terry Jasper was the first patient to set foot in the Infusion Treatment unit (formerly Day Oncology) for his weekly chemotherapy treatment.

Diagnosed with bowel cancer eight years ago, Terry has received all of his operations and treatment at Cabrini and says the care he has received has been outstanding and the new building is the cherry on top.

Mr Jasper is so grateful for the care he has received over the years that he and his wife Jessica Jasper have donated two of the chemotherapy pods for the Infusion Treatment unit.

He said the donation was his way of giving back and to ensure future patients received the same fantastic quality of care he had received at Cabrini.

“How fantastic is this?” he said of the new building while receiving treatment on Monday.

“This new building is the best of the best and will be the envy of all the other hospitals,” he said.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have this beautiful new building but it really comes down to the quality of care – the oncologists and nurses are just amazing.”

Mr Jasper said he was thankful for the wonderful care he had received at Cabrini.

“I have had some terrific people help me over the years who have shaped the quality of my health. Cabrini has saved my life so many times and I feel incredibly grateful for the care I have received.”

“This is something small I can do to give back to some of the fantastic people who have been involved in my treatment and a way of showing my appreciation. It is nice to be able to do something tangible to give back for the incredible care that has kept me alive for eight years.”