A Breast Care Support Group has donated towards an appeal to fund equipment which will assist patients receiving chemotherapy.

ELHT&Me is the official charity of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and in recent months launched an appeal to raise £20,000 to purchase a state-of-the-art Paxman cooling system. 

The cap will enable more patients having chemotherapy at the Primrose Unit to benefit from this innovative treatment that is above and beyond NHS funding - helping them regain some control and maintain their privacy while encouraging a positive attitude towards cancer treatment overall.

Upon learning about the appeal, the Blackburn and East Lancashire Breast Care Support Group got in touch with ELHT&Me. 

The group invited the charity to one of the group meetings and along with community fundraiser, Emma Heinicke and two of the unit’s chemotherapy nurses - Joanne Kippax and Kelly Walsh.

Ruth Loft, Secretary of the support group, said: “The Blackburn and East Lancashire breast care support group was established in 1991 and since then has helped hundreds of ladies diagnosed with breast cancer, who meet in a safe environment, listen to one another’s anxieties, exchange information, and generally provide one another with care and comfort.

“We had actually been hoping to help finance a cold cap, so when we heard of the Trust’s recent fundraising appeal of £20,000 for a cold cap, our members were only too happy to respond to our Treasurer’s suggestion of giving £500 to the appeal."

Lancashire Telegraph:

Emma Heinicke, community fundraiser at ELHT&Me with members of the Blackburn and East Lancashire breast care support group.

Ruth added: “When Emma and the team from the Burnley chemotherapy unit came along to our monthly meeting, together with an example of a cold cap, and all spoke so eloquently and passionately about their work, our members were convinced that we had made the right decision. 

“This unit will give hope to many ladies, and also gentlemen, in a bid to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy, a fundamental cause of concern at a very worrying time following a cancer diagnosis.”

Any business or individuals who can assist with the fundraising or can work in partnership with ELHT&Me to raise funds for the appeal can call 01254 734566 (ext 84566).

You can still donate towards the appeal here