It should be remembered for the grand opening of the South West Regional Cancer Centre but the occasion is significant for more than the unveiling of a plaque at a building. The opening is the culmination of an unprecedented community campaign that snowballed from one person’s dream.

Vicki Jellie and her frustrated husband Peter’s time-consuming trips out of the region for cancer treatment, prompted a vision. Why couldn’t the south-west have its own cancer care centre?

From his diagnosis of oesophageal cancer, Peter Jellie had 20 weeks of life. Eight of those last weeks were spent away from his family, home, work and support network getting treatment. It was typical for regional cancer patients.

But when Peter died on September 15, 2008, at the age of 49, the seed for an integrated cancer centre in the region was sown.

It became known as Peter’s Project by Vicki and today it’s not about her husband, it’s about all the other Peters in the region.

In 2010 a formal campaign began and within three months the then Labor state government agreed to commission a feasibility study. Thirteen months later a government report backed the centre’s need.

In April 2013, the state Coalition government committed $15 million to the project. The community through tin rattling, raffles, balls, head shaves and just about any fundraiser you could think of came up with $5 million. The Federal Government chimed in with $10 million.

The opening of the centre completes the campaign. The landmark building is a beacon of daring to dream. It proves anything is possible when a community unites for a cause. Cancer does not discriminate – mums, dads, the young, the not-so-young. Sadly, everyone has or will have a connection with cancer. If we can’t cure cancers, the next best thing is improving quality of life for patients and their families and that’s what we as a community have done.

The opening, which includes public tours, is a chance to celebrate people power and compassion. Together we can achieve better outcomes. There will probably be tears of joy at the opening and rightly so. This is a moment to cherish, be proud of and soak up the satisfaction of a job well done. Take a bow Vicki Jellie and every other individual, group and business.