Kathleen Kilgour Centre

23/07/2025

International Self-Care Day is a great opportunity to reflect on what fills your cup—both inside and outside of work.
Whether it’s a lunch break outdoors, a moment of quiet, or connecting with someone who lifts your spirits, make time for it today. Hydrate. Move your body. Laugh. Say no. Do whatever makes your soul feel lighter. 💛
Today is a gentle reminder to pause, breathe, and prioritise you.
Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential.
Maybe it's a walk in nature, a quiet cup of tea, journaling, listening to music, or simply stepping away from the noise for a few minutes. However it looks for you—honour it. 🌸
To all our healthcare whānau: in caring for others, don’t forget to care for yourself. Your wellbeing matters. Take a pause. Take a breath. Take a moment to reset.
Let’s lead with kindness—starting with ourselves.
Let’s normalise rest, reflection, and recharging—not just today, but every day. ✨
Because when we take care of ourselves, we’re better able to care for those around us.

19/06/2025

Mānawatia a Matariki – Honouring the Māori New Year 🌌
As Matariki comes around, we take this time to reflect, remember, and look forward. Matariki is a time of renewal—an opportunity to honour those who have passed, celebrate the present, and set intentions for the year ahead.
In our work delivering radiation therapy, we are constantly reminded of the importance of hope, healing, and whānau. These same values are central to Matariki. It is a time to acknowledge the journeys of our patients, the strength of their families, and the dedication of our team.
We honour the mātauranga Māori that enriches our understanding and practice, and we remain committed to providing the utmost care,
Mānawatia a Matariki – Let us celebrate and uplift this time together.

02/06/2025

Another proud achievement for the Kathleen Kilgour Centre! A heartfelt thank you to ARC Vets for your collaboration and support in making this milestone possible. Together, we're making a real difference."

Radiation Therapy for Pets—Now Available in NZ! 🐶🐱

We’re excited to share that radiation therapy is now readily available for ARC Vets patients—right here in Aotearoa through our exclusive partnership with the Kathleen Kilgour Centre in Tauranga.

Until recently, radiation was difficult to access and realistically only an option for pet owners able to travel to Australia. Now, this advanced treatment is available just hours from Auckland—bringing world-class care closer to home.

💥 We’ve already treated two dogs with nasal tumours (chondrosarcoma and squamous cell carcinoma) and both are doing well post-treatment.

🧠 The centre offers Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT):

✔️ Highly targeted
✔️ Completed over just a few days
✔️ Spares healthy tissue
✔️ Minimises side effects

💡 What cancers can be treated?

• Nasal tumours
• Brain tumours
• Some canine multicentric lymphoma patients
• Oral tumours
• Osteosarcomas
• Prostatic tumours
• A**l sac adenocarcinomas
• Tumours in challenging locations (where surgery isn’t possible)

🐾 This gives more pets a fighting chance—and more treatment options than ever before.

🩺 Worried about costs or coverage?
Some pet insurance plans do cover radiation therapy. We recommend checking directly with your provider.

📞 Talk to your vet or reach out to us directly—our team is here to guide you through your options and help your pet get the care they need

Pic shows ARC Vets Managing Director and Specialist surgeon, Dr Karl Mathis, with Stanley, the first patient we treated at the Kathleen Kilgour Centre ❤️

27/05/2025

Elekta Evo Live in Asia Pacific First at Kathleen Kilgour Centre

New Zealand’s Kilgour Centre (KKC) is the first site in to commence treating patients with the Evo system – bringing world-leading technology to regional patients.

One of only a handful of Elekta Evo systems in use globally, the platform introduces a new era of precision and performance through Iris AI-enhanced imaging, delivering clearer, more accurate images for daily visualisation and enabling more personalised treatments.

Sally Lowe, Chief Medical Physicist at KKC, shared: “Bringing the latest innovations to the Bay of Plenty area has always been a core principle of our clinic. Elekta has been a partner of KKC since our inception, and we are proud that this Asia Pacific first can help us continue our mission to deliver the best possible care for our local community.”

Congratulations to the team at Kathleen Kilgour Centre on this incredible achievement and your continued dedication to delivering cutting-edge care where it matters most. For more information on Elekta Evo click here: https://www.elekta.com/adapt-at-your-rhythm/

Image courtesy of Hugo - Reel Action Digital Ltd

15/05/2025

The Kathleen Kilgour Centre is proud to celebrate one of our own, Kate Penny, who has been awarded the prestigious Angela Allen Travelling Scholarship.
This scholarship, awarded annually since 2003, recognises the top-performing student in the graduating class of the Bachelor of Radiation Therapy programme. It honours the individual who has achieved the highest aggregate marks across the full three years of study – a true reflection of consistent academic excellence and unwavering dedication.
Kate’s dedication, academic excellence, and compassion have made her an exceptional part of the Kathleen Kilgour Centre team. We are proud to have been a part of her journey during her clinical placement and we can’t wait to see where the next chapter takes her!
Congratulations on this well-deserved honour Kate! We are so proud of you 🌟

15/05/2025

A huge shoutout to our newest team members — the incredible graduates of the Bachelor of Radiation Therapy at the University of Otago! We’re so proud of each of you and thrilled that you’ve chosen to begin your careers with us at KKC.
You’ve already shown such promise and professionalism — you’re a fantastic addition to our team and an asset to the department. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for each of you!
It’s a privilege to support and work alongside such capable, compassionate and motivated new professionals. Your hard work has brought you this far — now the journey begins.
Congratulations once again and thank you for choosing to start your career with us. We look forward to watching you grow! Let’s make a difference, together. 💙

13/05/2025

🌟 May is Oncology Nursing Month! 🌟
This month, we proudly recognize and celebrate the incredible oncology nurses who are the heart of our Radiation Therapy Department. 💙
Every day, our nurses show unwavering compassion, clinical excellence, and strength as they care for patients facing cancer. They are not only caregivers—they are advocates, educators, and a constant source of comfort and hope.
To our amazing team: thank you for your dedication, your empathy, and the difference you make in every patient’s journey. Your work changes lives, and we are beyond grateful to have you as part of our team.
💛 Happy Oncology Nursing Month! 💛

21/04/2025

🐰💐 We hope your Easter was egg-cellent! 🐣🍫
From all of us at KKC, we’re sending warm wishes and hoping you had a joyful Easter. We hope your weekend was filled with joy and peace, surrounded by those who matter most.
Holidays like these are a wonderful reminder of what really matters—connection, kindness, and the simple joys of life (plus a few chocolate treats! 😊).

09/04/2025

🧠🗣️ Oral, Head & Neck Cancer Awareness 💙
April marks a vital time to shine a light on oral, head, and neck cancers — a group of diseases that can often go unnoticed until it's too late.
At the Kathleen Kilgour Centre, our dedicated team works every day to support patients through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery with compassion and care. Early detection is key — so if you notice any unusual lumps, persistent sore throats, or changes in your voice, don’t delay in seeking medical advice.
We're proud to stand alongside our patients and their whānau, providing world-class radiation therapy and support.
💬 Let’s talk about it.
🩺 Let’s check for it.
💙 Let’s care for each other.

15/11/2024

A huge congratulations to Molly and Kate on successfully completing the University of Otago Bachelor of Radiation Therapy Programme! After months of hard work and dedication during their year III clinical placement at KKC, both have now officially qualified as Radiation Therapists! 🌟
Their hard work and dedication over clearly paid off, and it's wonderful to see them becoming such valuable members of the team. We’re thrilled that Molly and Kate have decided to continue their careers with us here at KKC and we couldn't be more grateful for their ongoing contributions. 🙌
Join us in celebrating this amazing achievement and wishing Molly and Kate all the best as they embark on this exciting new chapter! 🌟👩‍⚕️👩‍⚕️

11/11/2024

We Did It! 🌟
What an incredible day for our team at the City to Surf Run! A massive shoutout to our extraordinary team for completing the City to Surf run yesterday! Your hard work, perseverance, and team spirit were on full display as you crossed that finish line. 🏁💪
🙌 We’re beyond proud of everyone who showed up and pushed themselves to cross that finish line. Whether you ran, walked, or jogged, yesterday was all about teamwork, perseverance, and celebrating every step along the way. 🙌
Together, we’ve not only conquered the race but also made a huge impact, raising $1202 for a cause we deeply care about. The support from our community has been incredible, and we are so grateful to everyone who donated and encouraged us along the way.
This journey has been unforgettable, and we are so proud to have achieved this together. Here’s to more adventures, more challenges, and making a difference, one step at a time! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️💙

29/10/2024

This month, we stand together to raise awareness, support research, and honour the brave warriors who have fought and continue to fight breast cancer. 💪💗
Early detection can save lives. Remember to schedule regular screenings, know the signs, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. Let’s spread the word and show our support to everyone affected by breast cancer.
✨ Join the fight. Wear pink. Spread awareness. ✨