Funded
- About
Too many of us know someone with cancer. Together, we can help.
We need your help to go further for people affected by cancer here in Surrey and Sussex. You can see how your donations directly make an impact to patients, loved ones and staff.
The SASH Cancer Fund plays a crucial role in supporting all the cancer services offered at Surrey & Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. This encompasses vital areas such as:
- East Surrey Macmillan Cancer Support Centre
- Haematology ward based at East Surrey Hospital
- Chemotherapy suite based at East Surrey Hospital
- Crawley Hospital Chemotherapy (Comet Ward)
- Diagnostic imaging based at Crawley Hospital and Horsham Hospital.
What are we raising money for?
Right now we are asking for your help with the following:
- Two additional double scalp cooling machines. £44,000. Our next big goal is to dramatically increase the number of people who can benefit from scalp cooling whilst going through their cancer treatment. Hair loss can be a distressing side-effect of some chemotherapy drugs. Particularly (but not exclusively) those used in breast cancer treatment. We hope to provide new double scalp cooling machines for both East Surrey Hospital (chemotherapy suite) and Crawley Hospital (Comet chemo day unit)
- Expanding prehab and rehab for people with cancer. £10,000. Helping people come into their treatment strong and healthy, and helping people to recover following their cancer treatment can be one of the most proactive things people can do through their cancer journey. We hope to build on a previous trial here at SASH NHS Trust, to expand the support available to people before and after their cancer treatment. Going beyond what the NHS could normally provide.
- Support groups (£ongoing): A small but important thing your donations help with is providing refreshments for cancer patient support groups. These were previously often funded by individual cancer nurses. We now love to help cover the costs of these vital groups.
- The East Surrey Macmillan Cancer Centre (£ongoing): Donations help the cancer centre volunteers and staff to maintain their gardens, and to enhance the support available to people in the centre.
How your donations help...
East Surrey Macmillan Cancer Support Centre
For many people living in East Surrey, and Sussex, treatment will take place at East Surrey Hospital, whether it is surgical, involves radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.
Centre users have requested more shade from the sun and a fixed structure to provide year-round protection from the elements, so that they are still able to spend quiet time in the garden throughout the year. Your donations have made this happen and the summerhouse has now been officially opened by Councillor Eddy Humphreys, Mayor of the Borough of Reigate & Banstead.
Centre user Gill says:
“The Summerhouse is an all weather peaceful sanctuary, a restorative oasis surrounded by the garden away from the hustle and bustle of the hospital for therapy, relaxation classes or just a private chat. For many people, their skin can be very sensitive to burning from the sun during radiotherapy, so a covered area/summerhouse surrounded by the beautiful garden here where you can go for a private chat or therapy is a great asset to recovery”
You can read all about the grand opening here.
Thank you to everyone for making this happen, we couldn't do it without you. This will benefit patients and their loved ones for many years to come.
Next - with your help we want to help refurbish the Godstone Haematology Ward quiet room - a place of calm for family members of people in the ward. The room is sometimes used for letting people know important news about their loved ones health. With your help we will install new wall coverings and comfortable furniture - so the room is a comfortable, calming space for people at a very difficult time.
The chemotherapy suite
Your donations to the SASH Charity Cancer Fund have enabled the chemotherpy team at East Surrey Hospital to refurbush the hospital's chemotherapy suite, to transform the environment, and make it more inviting, comfortable and safe for patients. This means, you have made it possible to purchase ten comfortable new chemotherapy chairs, and beautiful wall coverings throughout.
Right now we are trying to raise £44,000 to provide additional scalp cooling machines to help reduce hair loss for people through their chemotherapy treatment
Claire-Marie Williams, chemotherapy manager, says:
“The feedback from our patients coming for treatment has been overwhelmingly positive. They feel the unit is warm and inviting now, generating a sense of calm and welcoming. To hear our patients talk about how lovely the new unit is, and to see the smiles on their faces, is just wonderful for us as a team. We are extremely grateful to all who donated to SASH Charity.”
Crawley Chemotherapy
We are currently raising funds for another additional chemotherapy chair - this time for Crawley Chemotherapy Unit (Comet Ward). This reclining chair is adjustable, and extra comfortable/supportive for people going through chemotherapy. We want to enhance the experience for people receiving cancer treatment, who often need to spend many hours in the ward. Your donations will directly help improve this for people with cancer.
Thank you!
Donations to the Cancer Fund are designated for use for cancer services, and people affected by Cancer in the SASH area. Donations not used for cancer services would be used to support other charitable activities for patients and staff across SASH NHS Trust.
Watch this space to see real time updates on how your donations are helping us go further for those with cancer. If you would like to come and see how your donation is making a difference to your community, please email: [email protected] to arrange a visit.
