October is Weston Park Hospital’s ‘ Think Pink’ Month when fundraising is aimed at raising money to help with research into and the treatment and care of breast cancer patients and women’s cancers. For both Ken and Beryl fighting this terrible disease is close to their hearts.
“I know for myself what it is like to walk down the corridor holding the brown envelope with your mammogram results in it to see the consultant to find out whether you have breast cancer or not,” said Councillor Sanderson.
Ken, who lives on Crofton Drive, Bolton on Dearne, was checked out for breast cancer when he found a swelling on his chest. It was a precautionary measure given his family history. His sister has in the past been treated for the disease and although it’s not commonly found in men the familial link can be significant. His mother and father had also had cancer. In Ken’s case it turned out that the swelling was not cancer but he is still very keen to help fight the disease after the toll it has taken on not only his family but his wife’s as well.
“My mum had treatment for breast cancer when she was 34,” said Beryl. She eventually died of a brain tumour at the age of 55 but at least the treatment gave her a 21 year lease of life which she wouldn’t otherwise have had. We are all very thankful.”
The couple were on a fact finding tour of Weston Park Hospital to see the latest developments being made possible by the hospital’s charity. Recently the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Appeal has raised over £1 million for a new state-of-the-art Chemotherapy Unit. They also met researchers from the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Research Centre to hear about the world class research that takes place right here in South Yorkshire.
“From the room you first go into right through to the new treatment area; it’s a wonderful place,” added Beryl. “If I hadn’t seen what I’ve seen I would have been very apprehensive about stepping into Weston Park – not now. It’s a very positive place and what we have seen is fantastic.”
For Ken though supporting the charity is more than just raising the money for now. “It’s for the future,” he says. “It’s for your children and your grand children. We are so very aware of this with our own families. Everyone should do what they can to help and keep Weston Park Hospital at the leading edge of cancer research, treatment and care.”
The Weston Park Hospital Cancer Appeal’s Think Pink Month runs throughout October. Anyone who would like to hold a Dress Pink Day or do their own fundraising to help the hospital’s work for women with cancer should contact the Cancer Appeal Office on 0114 2265370.
