June 2004

Cool author rules at Peter Mac children’s service

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre marked Education Week by naming children’s author Phil Kettle as Patron of its Paediatric Service.

Writer of the popular TooCool and Boyz Rule series of books, Phil was recently short-listed for the Young Australians Best Book Award (YABBA).

The TooCool stories encourage individuality, freedom of thought and positive feelings of self-worth.

Phil visited Peter Mac to share the ideas behind his books with young patients.

Peter Mac treats about 100 children each year from all over Victoria.

It is the only centre providing specialist radiation therapy treatment and care to paediatric patients.

Chair of the Paediatric Service Dr Maree Sexton sees most of the children who are referred to Peter Mac from all over the state and Tasmania.

She said Peter Mac was fortunate to have Phil Kettle ‘adopt us as his special cause.’

‘Most people don’t realise that children suffering with cancer-related illnesses may also need radiation therapy as part of their treatment.

‘We consult with all major paediatric centres to make sure that these patients are offered the best possible treatment options for their condition,’ Dr Sexton said.