LAST week, Leeds Hospitals Charity launched their latest appeal, urging the people of Leeds to help ensure that people with cancer get the best possible care and support during the pandemic.
The charity is encouraging supporters to make a regular donation and ‘Become a Friend’ of Leeds Hospitals Charity, to support thousands of cancer patients receiving treatment at Leeds Cancer Centre.
Cancer doesn’t stop in a pandemic, and that’s something that 44-year-old Helen Stewart knows only too well after she was diagnosed with breast cancer last Summer.
The mum of two, step mum to two and proud Nana began her 166-day long treatment journey on the 21st January and was apprehensive at first.
Helen said:
“I was scared that I’d feel isolated during treatment, but from the first day I went in the staff have been brilliant, despite also dealing with the pandemic – they can’t do enough for you and always have a smile on their faces.”
Helen also decided to fundraise to Leeds Hospitals Charity after her daughter Ryanne encouraged her to brave the shave preparation for treatment.
On the 9th January, Helen live-streamed her head shave on Facebook and thanks to support from friends, family and even complete strangers she raised over £3,000 specifically to support Leeds Cancer Centre.
Helen said the experience was liberating:
“Throughout my cancer journey, there’s a lot of things I won’t have control of, but it was my choice to shave my head, rather than losing my hair during treatment. I was worried I’d feel uncomfortable, that I’d lose my identity, but I feel so empowered.”
Thanks to donations, the charity provides over £6 million in additional funding each year to support the NHS heroes working across Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. In 2020, there was an incredible £516,550 spent on projects to support cancer patients and their families.
A donation of just £5 a month could help fund free wigs for cancer patients like Helen, to help reduce the emotional turmoil of losing their hair with treatment.
Become a Friend of Leeds Hospitals Charity and help make a difference to thousands of patients throughout the coronavirus pandemic and beyond https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/Pages/Category/become-a-friend
