The Paxman Cooling System, now located in the hospital's Cancer Resource Centre, features a small refrigeration unit that circulates a coolant at minus four degrees Celsius through to a specially designed cap.

"There have been patients in the past who have had to go to Adelaide for the cold cap treatment. The whole aim was to get cancer treatment as close to patients' home as possible.

"Having the cold cap machine here is a big advantage because Whyalla is the regional cancer centre."

The Whyalla Pink Spirits contributed $20,000 to the system, with part of those funds raised by chemotherapy patient Sharon Powell, who organised a fundraiser earlier this year with her daughter-in-law Chloe Coles.

Ms Powell, who lost her hair during chemotherapy, said it was a big win for female patients to hold on to some of their hair while undergoing treatment.

"Now we have our machine it will be interesting to see how it really works," she said.

Ms Coles said she was 'very excited' to hear the machine was coming to Whyalla after their hard work raising funds.

Pink Spirits President Raelene Williams said she had met many women who had lost their hair during cancer treatment through her support group.

"It's something that affects ladies more than anything else because it's so visual. If this machine does what it is meant to do, it will be really beneficial for the people who use it," she said.

The Whyalla Ladies Auxiliary ($10,000), Mount Laura Lions Club ($3000) and the Lions Club of Whyalla ($2000) also chipped in to secure the machine for Whyalla.

Mt Laura Lions Club Past President Brian Marshall said the purchase was proof that funds raised by their sausage sizzles went to something valuable.