Patients, doctors and nurses at Weston Park Hospital all lined up to help say “Thanks a £ Million” to all of you who have helped make this happen.
From marathon challenges to cake sales; thousands and thousands of you from around the region have raised funds or sent in donations to ensure the highest standards for the new facilities which are already open and treating more than 30 patients everyday. The new unit is bigger, brighter, more comfortable and better designed to accommodate patients receiving the latest chemotherapy treatments and related cancer research.
"We would like thank everyone who has contributed to this Rose Appeal, " says hospital general manager Pauline Mackender.
“Chemotherapy treatments have been advancing so quickly in recent years and the hospital now has the facilities to advance fully with them. This is a tremendous achievement and goes to show how dearly local people want to improve life for everyone with cancer. Thank you to everyone who contributed, a million times over.”
“Without the input of the Cancer Appeal, Weston Park would be a poorer place. The new Chemotherapy Unit really takes us into the 21st century and provides people living with cancer the conditions they deserve as they battle this disease.”
We think the new chemotherapy unit is fantastic. Your donations have really made a valuable difference. But don't just take our word for it. Here are some of the things our patients and those who work on the unit say about the difference you have made …
Patient Jonathan Cooper from Stannington (above right)
“I had to have 12 lots of chemotherapy, each one took two weeks and that was between last October and March of this year. I started in the old unit and can remember I was petrified – it was like going to an old fashioned dentist only much worse. The new unit is much better and considering what’s going on much more relaxing. The environment does help and not only for patients like myself – its better for the nurses which means they can make it better for us as well.” (89)
Dr David Levy – consultant oncologist (above left)
“It’s not just the drugs and the treatments that are important when you are treating cancer patients – the quality of care is paramount. We were aware that the original treatment areas were cramped and not at their best. No one really ever complained but now the new facilities mean that the patients feel much more comfortable and relaxed which helps us greatly as doctors to get them through to the end of their chemotherapy - which can be gruelling.”
Patient Pat Furniss from Wath-upon-Dearne (above centre)
“The new chemotherapy unit isn’t like being in a hospital at all,” says Pat. “It’s lovely. It’s all bright and spacious and very relaxing which is so important when you are having chemotherapy. It’s much more comfortable than before and now you don’t have to wait around as much as you did. It has made things much better. It’s an excellent department and I am grateful for all the help I’ve had here.”
Sister Pauline Pledge – in charge of the new Chemotherapy Unit (above)
“The new unit provides a hugely enhanced facility for patients allowing us to respect their privacy and dignity and care for them in a much more comfortable and pleasant environment.
For the nurses it is lovely to work in and we have 1 rather than 2 areas so the team can work so much better together and it s a great bonus to have the extra designated rooms where we can counsel patients in privacy.”
