Cairns Hospital cancer ward volunteer Rex Creed

ONE afternoon a week, a change comes over the cancer care ward at Cairns Hospital.

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ONE afternoon a week, a change comes over the cancer care ward at Cairns Hospital.

That’s the day Maurice “Rex” Creed is doing the rounds, comforting patients and offering an ear or a hug to those who need it.

Diagnosed with blood cancer in 2014, Mr Creed is now recovering but was so touched by the support from hospital staff and the Leukaemia Foundation, he became a volunteer.

“I can give them advice or just listen,” he said.

Rex said he was most proud of persuading someone to stop refusing treatment. They are now thriving.

Cancer care nurse Kirsty Allwright said Mr Creed’s contribution was invaluable since the Leukaemia Foundation lost its funded support services officer in April.

Leukaemia patient Nikkea Daniels said Mr Creed was easy to talk to.

“A lot of people who don’t have (cancer) don’t know what to say, they don’t understand,” she said.

Originally published as Cairns Hospital cancer ward volunteer Rex Creed