NNUH Fundraising Appeal reaches next milestone
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) is celebrating that its Targeted Radiotherapy Appeal (TRA) has reached the three quarter way mark of £450,000.
The TRA was launched in October 2012 with the aim of raising £600,000 to provide a new radiotherapy service for cancer patients, known as high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy. The money raised through the TRA will be used to provide state-of-the-art facilities within the Colney Centre for people undergoing brachytherapy.
The new facilities will mean NNUH will become one of just a handful of hospitals in the country offering HDR prostate brachytherapy. Currently, men living in Norfolk who need HDR prostate brachytherapy have to travel to London for treatment. Brachytherapy also benefits patients because treatment times can be significantly reduced, resulting in fewer repeat visits to hospital for treatment.
Anna Dugdale, NNUH Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to have reached the three quarter milestone in this Appeal, the support and generosity of the public and local organisations has been amazing. The Targeted Radiotherapy Appeal will enable us to make a real difference to cancer patients across Norfolk and North Suffolk.”
Louise Cook, Fundraising Manager, said: “We are now on the final push to hit our target. We still have some fundraising events planned over the next couple of months including our sponsored bike ride taking place on 31st August. The bike ride is a great opportunity to get active and enjoy a lovely day out in the Norfolk countryside. Anyone who wants to sign up still has time and can register online at https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/110129/NNUH-99-9-Sportive#entry”
She added: “I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated to the Appeal so far. Anyone who would like to donate can do so online at http://www.justgiving.com/NNUH-TargetedRadiotherapyAppeal”
This local appeal has been backed by Eastern Daily Press and Evening News along with senior figures in Norfolk including The Lord Bishop of Norwich, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Big C, Chief Constable of Norfolk, Chair of Norfolk and Waveney Prostate Cancer Support Group, and the Vice Chairman of the Norfolk Federation of WIs, along with support from many other local organisations, charities and the public.
About brachytherapy:
Standard radiotherapy uses radiation directed at the tumour from outside the body so that the radiation travels through normal tissue to reach the tumour. This means that some normal tissue may get damaged, although modern techniques aim to keep this to a minimum. Brachytherapy involves placing radioactive sources inside or near a tumour. As the radiation is delivered internally it does not have to pass through so much normal tissue, which reduces the long-term side effects. It also means the dose that tumours can receive is significantly higher, which in turn can improve cure rates and reduce treatment times.