Proud patient battles breast cancer and raises money for local hospital

Proud patient battles breast cancer and raises money for local hospitals.

A grateful patient receiving treatment at Dewsbury and District Hospital raised and donated a large sum of money to the Chemotherapy Units which took care of her.

Joanne Cave, 39 from Wakefield was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2018 and has been undergoing treatment since at the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Joanne found Chemotherapy her hardest challenge both physically and emotionally and once she felt well enough, she decided that she would like to give back to the NHS and to those who cared for her and set her mind on completing a 10k steps a day fundraiser for 30 days in total.

Joanne raised a magnificent £6,180 which was donated via - MY Hospitals Charity, to be spent on the Chemotherapy Units at Dewsbury and District Hospital and Pontefract Hospital.

The monies raised are to support the enhancement of patient care and experience on both units, allowing patient stay to be more comfortable, something which Joanne understands is so important.

Speaking on her charitable donation, Jo comments: “As with anyone, my cancer journey has been and is hard. Three operations, six lots of chemotherapy and radiotherapy took its toll, mentally as well as physically, but, as unlucky as I felt, I felt lucky to have a team of angels caring for me.

“Chemotherapy was the hardest part of my ongoing cancer journey. The losing of my hair, strength and how poorly I felt. I also had a severe allergic reaction to the chemotherapy drug which put me into anaphylactic shock. With the nurse’s knowledge and quick thinking, the nurses saved my life. I just knew I had to raise money to help other people in their chemotherapy journey, to make things that little bit easier when their worlds have been turned upside down.

"When I started my challenge, I hoped to raise £2,000 - £1,000 for each unit - but thanks to people’s generosity, this target almost trebled so I want to say thank you to everyone who contributed, it will really make a difference.”

To date, with Jo’s donation the charity has been able to purchase both personal and medical items. These include items such as portable DVD players, disposable headphones, films, drinks fridges. As well as condition related items such dressing trollies, sepsis trollies and an air warming system to improve access to veins for the delivery of drugs such as chemotherapy.

Keith Ramsay, Chairman of the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust and MY Hospitals Charity said:

"This is an amazing donation given to our Trust in the shape of entertainment resources and additional items to support staff in providing a more holistic and comforting environment that supports the delivery of care to patients.”

Thank you so much for your support, Jo!