Anniversary for chemo outreach

CANCER patients and health staff have celebrated the first anniversary of Derriford Hospital's outreach chemotherapy service.

Since last year's launch, chemotherapy patients in Kingsbridge, Tavistock and Liskeard have been able to receive treatment and support closer to their homes.

To mark the anniversary, patients, staff and friends of the service visited each location.

They travelled alongside a new dedicated chemotherapy van, donated by Salcombe businessman Brian Lavender and his business colleagues from Hannafords Landing in Island Street, Salcombe.

Events at each location included a balloon launch, the presence of a Town Crier and Lord Mayor, speeches and refreshments.

Lee Johns, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust directorate manager for oncology and blood, said: "We are delighted with the service, the overwhelming support and the response we have received from members of the local communities.

"I would to take this opportunity to thank them for their continuing and hugely successful fundraising efforts and support they have given to this service. I would particularly like to say a special thank you to the staff who have made it possible, to Jan Britten and Tristan Stone, who were instrumental in organising an extravaganza to raise funds for the service in South Hams and to fundraiser Debs Ward."

David Radford, Chairman of NHS Devon, Plymouth and Torbay said: "It is great to see that people from the South Hams area are benefiting from this service.

"We would like to thank everyone in the local community who worked so hard to raise the necessary funds to make it possible for the service to run from their local hospital."

Fundraising efforts are continuing in all of the areas to support the exciting service. Anyone who wishes to get involved or would like to plan an event, can contact Debs on 07929 969244. Donations can also be made payable on line at www.chemooutreachproject.co.uk or by cheque made payable to the Chemotherapy Outreach Fund TF1286 and sent to any one of the Triangle Centres at Liskeard, Tavistock or Kingsbridge.