The Chimera Legacy team hope to raise more funds with their new billboard

When former RBWH patient Damien Thompson was receiving treatment for leukaemia a number of years ago, he never imagined that one day he would be leading charity which aims to help cancer patients like himself have an easier time in hospital. 

The Chimera Legacy Foundation works with healthcare providers including RBWH to provide virtual reality (VR) equipment for young patients to use during their hospital stay. VR has a range of proven benefits for hospital patients such as improving mental health, increasing pain tolerance, and aiding recovery in patients  

Chimera Legacy Foundation founder Damien Thompson said he knows firsthand how debilitating anxiety and nerves could be before a major procedure.  

”Personally, I’ve been through treatments for lymphoblastic leukaemia and graft versus host disease (GVHD) as well as a bone marrow transplant, a double lung transplant, and two hip replacements in my early twenties,” Mr Thompson said.  

”We know care and recovery outcomes can be improved through the use of VR technology which is why Chimera Legacy Foundation is working with healthcare providers and fellow not-for-profit organisations to roll out our VR-AID program.’’ 

 Recently, Brisbane City Council and Gipps Outdoor threw their support behind the Chimera Legacy Foundation by providing them with free use of a high-traffic billboard in Fortitude Valley.  

Current RBWH oncology patient Sally-Anne Collett said a VR kits donated to the RBWH’s Sony You Can Centre had opened her eyes to the benefits of VR.  

 ‘‘Treatment is full on and some days, you really want to escape from reality,’’ Ms Collett said.  

 ‘‘VR gives me that opportunity, whether it’s catching up with friends and family or exploring the streets of Paris from the hospital.  

‘’I hope more patients have the opportunity to experience the benefits and joy that VR can bring during what’s a really tough time.’’ 

For more information on the Chimera Legacy Foundation’s VR-AID program, visit chimeralegacyfoundation.org.au