Fundraisers have handed over hundreds of new digital thermometers to help breast cancer patients having chemotherapy at Walsall Manor Hospital – bringing their grand total over four decades to around £664,000 worth of support.
Denise Moorhouse, Sally Cooper and Pat Rayner, members of Walsall Breast Cancer Support Group, which is now in its 40th year, delivered more than 300 of the devices which were gratefully received by Trish Griffiths, Breast Cancer Support in Patient Centred Follow Up (PCFU).
Over the last 12 months the group has funded a £14,000 cool cap machine, a £18,790 ultrasound scanner and patient comfort packs including shower gels for women to use before and after surgery. Members’ fundraising adds up to £34,000 over the last year alone.
Denise said: “We bought the latest batch of thermometers at cost from Blakenall Pharmacy, where I work, and our group regularly holds fundraising events to help us make the donations we do. The thermometers help patients keep track of their temperature during treatment.
“The group aims to be a support system for women receiving breast cancer diagnoses to help them cope with their treatment and to help their families too.”
Trish added: “The support this group offers our patients is invaluable – I can’t praise its members enough. As well as the amazing amount of money raised over the years, members also offer telephone support for those struggling with any aspect of their diagnosis or treatment.
“They are such a caring and friendly group of women and we can’t thank them enough for all they do for us.”
The group meets in the lounge at Bloxwich Golf Club on the first Wednesday of every month at 7pm. For more information visit its website www.wbcshg.com