But that won't stop the 65-year-old grandfather from doing all he can to support Peter's Project and ensure future generations have access to the services they need.

Mr Amoore and his wife Sue are planning to make a personal donation to the campaign and give others the opportunity to make their own contribution

"We've planned Ian's funeral already and instead of people buying flowers we'll have envelopes out so they can donate to Peter's Project," Mrs Amoore said.

"It's too late for us, but there's lots more people who can benefit from having an integrated cancer centre.

"I know our family and friends will want to support it and this way we know the money will stay in Warrnambool and be used for the community."

Mr Amoore was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May 2008, but told it was inoperable and had already spread to his bones.

While chemotherapy and radiotherapy could not cure his illness, both were needed to relieve pain and maintain Mr Amoore's quality of life.

A new tumour discovered in January meant spending five consecutive weeks away from his home, family and friends in Geelong, returning only on weekends.

Too sick to make the trip by road, Mr Amoore had to be flown to Geelong.

"The bottom line is it all could have been easier on the wife and family if we had a special cancer centre here to treat it," Mr Amoore said.

"Because I was crook, I just laid down the whole time, but it was hard on my wife and family because they don't have anything to do.

"There was nothing to keep (Sue) occupied and take the worry off her mind.

"The unit they've got (in Geelong), the treatment is spot-on and I don't see why we can't have a similar facility here to stop people having to go all the way down there."

Mrs Amoore said she thought federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon's comments and reasons for not granting funding for a feasibility study into establishing a south-west cancer care centre were "shocking".

"I don't think she has any idea of how big the Western District is and how far people have to travel," she said.

"You're not on holiday, you haven't planned or budgeted for it and there are only a certain amount of things you can do because Ian was sick from the treatment.

"There are only so many times you can go to the movies, I couldn't go out to my garden there was no housework to do. I know a lot of people might think no housework sounds good but being away from my own environment, it was very hard to find something to do and keep busy."