Peter Welsh, Hospital General Manager at University Hospital Llandough with Shelley Martin, Marks and Spencer Culverhouse Cross, Maria Batlle, Chair of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Donna Egbeare, Consultant Surgeon at the Breast Centre, Llandough
Dozens of Breast Centre Appeal fundraisers were recently invited along to a special “thank you” event in recognition of their commitment and dedication in raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for this special cause.
The Breast Centre in University Hospital Llandough centralises all aspects of the breast care service under one roof, from consultation to diagnosis and treatment, making a huge difference to the way patients are supported.
Maria Battle, Chair of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB) said: “What fundraisers do is absolutely incredible. There are around 100 fundraisers raising money for the appeal with over £250,000 raised for the Breast Centre so far.
“Every single penny donated to the Centre, goes into the Centre, to improve care to our patients.
“From the Health Board and myself I’d like to say “thank you” for all that you do.”
Irene Hicks, who lives in North Ely, has raised over £21,000 through events such as bingo evenings.
Irene said: “I started to fundraise for the Breast Centre as my daughter- in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago. I could see the wonderful things the centre was doing, and how wonderful the staff were, from the breast care nurses to the reception staff, they are all great.
“When my daughter- in-law started having treatment and was going to lose her hair, I held a fundraising event for her head shave – this started me off raising money for the Centre and I have been doing so ever since.”
Irene, along with Mary Pickrell and Linda Williams, have an online shop on Facebook called Eyes Down Sales, where they sell items that are donated by residents in the local community to raise money for charity.
Irene also holds regular bingo nights each week called Eyes Down Ely, at North Ely Youth Club.
Generous staff and customers at Marks and Spencer, Culverhouse Cross raised nearly £12,000 in one amazing year, with in-store events and bucket collections.
Mr Sumit Goyal, Lead Clinician for Breast Services at Cardiff and Vale UHB said: “We started the Breast Centre Appeal with the main objective of putting all the money raised directly back into patient care.
“So far with funds raised, we have built a room dedicated to multi disciplinary meetings so that every aspect of a patient’s treatment and care can be discussed at the same time by a dedicated team of staff.
“Also, thanks to the donations we receive, we are able to provide complimentary therapy for patients, we have purchased specialist fat transfer equipment which is essential for reconstructive surgery for patients, we purchase and supply specialist undergarments which are given to patients directly after surgery and we pay for breast care nurses to help support patients through their journey.
“Future fundraising will help provide a gym where patients can take part in prescription exercise with physiotherapists to improve their quality of life and help them to tolerate chemotherapy better.
“The next piece of kit we would like to purchase is a new diagnostic tool to perform specialist biopsies with 3D mammograms. This would give the Breast Centre the facility to offer this service to patients as there are only 2 or 3 centres that offer this service in the whole country.
“Thank you to all of our fundraisers for every penny you raise. Your donations result in the best facilities and care for our patients.”
The Breast Centre Appeal is part of Cardiff & Vale Health Charity (RCN 1056544), the official charity supporting all the wards, departments and specialties of Cardiff and Vale UHB.
For more information on Cardiff & Vale Health Charity, please contact the Charity Office on 02921841802.
