The family of Peter Cameron has raised and donated $22,500 to Calvary Mater's oncology trial unit to thank the team for the 65-year-old's last 18 months of life.
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Mr Cameron's daughter Megan Baird, of Charlestown, said an immuno-therapy trial her late father participated in at the unit improved his quality of life and had given him an extra year with his family.
The sufferer of a rare form of renal cancer began the treatment after he was told he had less than six months to live.
"During that 18 months two grandchildren were born, we got one more Christmas. My brother [Chris] had a lot of trouble having a baby so for Dad to be able to see that was pretty emotional," Mrs Baird said.
"Being part of research for the future was also empowering for him."
Mr Cameron passed away in early September.
He and and his wife, Cathy, had decided to gift $10,000 to the self-funded research unit. Mrs Baird raised a further $12,500, shaving her head a fortnight ago.
Mrs Baird said her father would have been "pretty emotional" to his family hand over the cheque to the unit on Wednesday.
"He'd be so proud of us and all the family members, friends and strangers who contributed to the donation," she said.
"And he would have been proud to have been the catalyst of it all. He'd be smiling with tears in his eyes."
Mrs Baird said her family was preparing for their first Christmas without the husband, dad and grandfather of six.
"It's really sad. But we will all still be together and he will still play a special role," she said.
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