Prof O'Brien farewelled at state funeral

Professor Chris O'Brien was a healer who touched the heart of a nation, and his
legacy will endure through a cancer centre that will be named in his honour.
A gifted head and neck surgeon who spent his career fighting cancer in others, Prof
O'Brien lost his own two-year battle with a brain tumour at Sydney's Royal Prince
Alfred (RPA) Hospital late last week, aged 57.
Flags flew at half mast as almost 2,000 people filled Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral
beyond capacity on Thursday for the funeral of a "man's man", "a surgeon's surgeon".
"He got inside, not just the head of the nation, but the heart of the nation as
well," Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said in an eulogy for his friend.
"He also got inside the head and the heart of its prime minister because of the
compelling and overwhelming eloquence of the testimony of his life."
Mr Rudd said he was won over by Prof O'Brien's convincing argument for a $1.3
billion centre bringing together scientists, technicians, clinicians, carers and
cancer patients in one Sydney location.
The innovative surgeon had fended off offers for his Lifehouse at RPA vision to be
named in his honour. But after the funeral, Mr Rudd's office confirmed the O'Brien
family and RPA had agreed on a new name: The Chris O'Brien Cancer Centre.
At the two-hour state funeral, dignitaries - including Governor-General Quentin
Bryce, federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull and NSW Premier Nathan Rees - sat
alongside former patients, friends, family and colleagues as Prof O'Brien was
remembered as a loyal, kind, compassionate and talented man.
His wife Gail and children Adam, James and Juliette shared snippets from their
precious time with the husband and dad they remembered for his inspirational example
and his humour.
"Dad found humour in the darkest, most difficult times," Juliette said of her father.
"He said my younger brother James would have the classic psychological excuse for
becoming a serial killer after having to help his naked father off the floor after a
fall."
His humour and strength helped the family through their unfolding tragedy.
"Undoubtedly, his optimism and determined fight for survival lengthened his life and
gave us more precious time."
Gail revealed her nickname for her husband - "Dr Gorgeous" - a label first coined by
a women's magazine.
"Until we meet again, the children and I will walk in your footprints and continue
to be inspired by you, my honeybun, my Dr Gorgeous," she said.
Others focused on Prof O'Brien's goal for an integrated cancer treatment and
research centre.
Undaunted by his diagnosis with an aggressive form of cancer in November 2006, he
pushed ahead with plans to build what will be Australia's largest cancer care centre
when it is completed in 2012.
Professor Michael Boyer said his mate had the idea for the centre before his
diagnosis, but being a cancer patient gave him a deeper understanding of what was
needed.
"Chris is no longer with us, but his legacy is Lifehouse, the lasting gift of an
extraordinary individual," he told the service.
Just how much he touched people was summed up in the words of former patient Paul Cave.
"There are many of us, including a number of patients, who would have gladly gone
instead," he said.