Damien Thompson knows all too well what it is like to feel stuck and anxious in hospital after being diagnosed with leukaemia at 23 years old.

During his time undergoing bone marrow and lung transplants he was also able to trial virtual reality as an alternative therapy.

“I put the headset on and transported myself to a space station [then] I woke up 6 hours later rejuvenated and relaxed,” he said.

The Brisbane-based man, now 38, used that positive experience as a catalyst to help others and established the Chimera Legacy Foundation in 2019.

The foundation has developed the Holiday from Hospital VR therapy program to reduce stress associated with lengthy hospitalisations.

A man smiles on a walking trail.

Damien Thompson is passionate about taking patients virtually away from their hospital beds. (Supplied: Michelle Germans)

The charity founder has travelled to the top of Queensland and across the Northern Territory to reach Western Australia, to offer 15 new Australian virtual holiday destinations to hospital patients.

“We’ve captured quite a lot of content and I’m sure patients will absolutely love that escape,” Mr Thompson said.

A man stands in a chasm.

Damien Thompson at Echidna Chasm in Purnululu National Park. (Supplied: Michelle Germans)

Positive response

Patients put on a special helmet to see a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional environment in a seemingly real way, all while lying in their hospital bed.

Brisbane woman Sally Collett, 29, was invited to try VR therapy by her social worker while being treated for ovarian cancer in 2021 at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

“She knew I liked video games, so I put the goggles on and went [virtually] to Paris and that was really, really cool,” she said.

“The initial feeling is shock because it’s so realistic.

“When you move your head you can see different angles and it’s really immersive and quite special.”

A woman smiles at the camera with a beach behind her

Now cancer-free, Sally Collett says VR therapy is beneficial for people of all ages. (Supplied: Sam Nolan)

Ms Collett said her VR experience provided an opportunity to connect with other young people who had cancer.

“What you get from the VR goggles is just a sense of not being in hospital,” she said.

“And I think that’s beneficial for everyone, no matter how young or old you are.”

Patients ask to travel Australia

The current virtual reality program allows patients to travel to Paris, Rome and London but nowhere in Australia.

“Patients were at me, asking, ‘Damo, when are we going to be able to travel Australia?'” Mr Thompson said.

He got the inspiration to do Australia’s top end because he grew up in Townsville.

Mr Thompson said he had a couple of favourite spots while travelling the Kimberley.

Despite the heat and difficulty walking, Mr Thompson said he loved Echidna Chasm in Purnululu National Park with its tall and narrow gorge walls, palms and stony creek bed.

He also loved El Questro for its majestic ranges and thermal springs.

Hopes expanding

The Chimera Legacy Foundation has launched VR programs at Queensland’s Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and the Townsville University Hospital.

A man with his back to the camera looks at wall art.

Damien Thompson established the Chimera Legacy Foundation in 2019. (Supplied: Michelle Germans)

While filming content in the west, Mr Thompson also raised his charity’s VR therapy concept with hospital representatives there and hopes to extend Holiday from Hospital into regional WA.

“I love to see the faces and emotions of patients when they use it for the first time, especially for the guys you know are struggling,” he said.

“So that’s why I do this. It’s very much the front line for me.”