David Cassidy on the Web
New cancer unit project in pipeline
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
By Sam Hughes
www.tavistock-today.co.uk
MANY cancer sufferers in Tavistock and outlying areas will no longer have to travel to Plymouth for treatment, as they are set to benefit from a new chemotherapy outreach service - thanks to the sale of Tina Turner's dress, a Status Quo guitar and other fundraising efforts.
An £80,000 project is underway to bring a mobile chemotherapy treatment unit to Tavistock hospital. Fundraisers Jan Britten and Tristan Stone from East Portlemouth have been busy campaigning to start the outreach service, which will run in Kingsbridge, Tavistock and Liskeard.
She this week appealed to people in the Tavistock area to help raise the funds to keep the new service running in future.
Jan said she realised the need for the service after friends were treated for the disease. 'When two friends and neighbours became ill with cancer, I became aware of the enormous distance people living in outlying areas have to travel for treatment.
'There is also the issue of how they get to the hospital.
'Most rely on family members to drive them but some have to rely on courtesy cars or public transport.
'However they get there it can be a very stressful time for very sick people,' she said.
Jan said Derriford Hospital had been trying to get outreach treatment for hospitals in the three towns, but it had failed as a service due to the fact it could not be maintained by using existing staff from the oncology unit at Derriford.
Jan said she and Tristan, who had travelled to Derriford with his grandfather every week when he was ill, met with Lee Johns from the finance department at Derriford, and Sue Smith from the Mustard Tree support unit.
'They said if we could raise £80,000, they would be able to employ two senior oncology nurses to form a dedicated team, who would then treat patients at the three hospitals.'
Jan and Tristan raised some of the money by holding a dinner and auction.
Jan said: 'Tristan owns a very large boathouse that he generously offered as the venue.
'My husband is a songwriter musician and through his contacts we were able to approach people for interesting auction donations.
'Status Quo donated a signed guitar, David Cassidy and Cliff Richard and the Shadows also signed guitars and Tina Turner gave us an autographed dress that she had worn on one of her tours.
'We also auctioned many fishing trips and sailing courses.
'With many other donations, raffles and fundraising events, we managed to raise the required £80,000 and Derriford is now working towards starting the project.'
Many very sick people in the area should benefit from the local service, although not everyone with cancer will be able to be treated in Tavistock, as it will depend on what type of chemotherapy they receive and whether they need a bloodtest or not.
The outreach service has now been funded for a year and should hopefully begin in October.
However, it will need on-going money to keep it going.
Jan said: '£40,000 has been a figure mentioned. We are truly hoping that once they know about the project, the people of Tavistock will help contribute by fundraising and donations.'
Anyone wishing to know more or who would like to donate towards next year's funding should contact Gill Davies at the Triangle Centre at Tavistock Hospital on 01822 615935.
Any cheques should be made out to The Chemotherapy Outreach Project and sent to Gill.
