'Once in a lifetime': Top physician, patient detail wonders of new cancer centre

Calgary 's Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre opens on Monday .

The new centre will boast 90 chemotherapy chairs, 160 in-patient beds and MRI-guided accelerators.

The centre's 9,200 square metres of research area alone is larger than that of the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and Holy Cross Hospital combined.

It will also boast 12 radiation vaults, with the shelled-in space to add three more.

New oncology referrals have climbed 18 per cent in seven years , mirroring growth in the “unique patient’ category.

The Arthur Child centre is designed to soften the rough edges of the cancer experience.

The number of patients getting their first oncologist consult outside the recommended window has escalated by 68 per cent .

The centre's in-patient rooms complete with comforts such as pullout futons for caregivers and lockers.

Morris : “We’d be in a much worse place without this building — it’s been very positive for recruitment.” At least as positive is the morale boost the new centre has brought to patients, their families and medical staff.

“Patients and families can’t wait to get into the new building,” said Morris .