28 September 2009
A new fundraising campaign to help build a support centre for cancer patients and their loved ones at St Helier Hospital has been launched.
The campaign, known as 'Operation Butterfly', is a joint initiative between the Sutton Guardian and the Trust and aims to raise £10,000 over the next few months.
Fundraisers and volunteers at the Trust have already raised £40,000 towards the project. The centre, which will be based in the hospital's outpatient department, will cost £50,000 in total.
The campaign follows the success of the Macmillan Butterfly Centre in Epsom Hospital, where people with cancer and their carers can access a range of specialist support services, including complementary therapies and counselling. The centre also contains a wealth of information leaflets and other publications, and is a space for patients to relax before, after and in between hospital appointments.
Dr Lydia Jones is the Trust's clinical director for cancer services. She said: "The Butterfly Centre at Epsom Hospital is an amazing success, providing support to approximately 100 patients a month.
We really want to be able to offer the same service to patients visiting St Helier Hospital, so we're delighted to be working with the Sutton Guardian to raise the final £10,000 needed. I encourage anyone who can support the 'Operation Butterfly' campaign to do so. All donations - no matter the size - will be greatly appreciated."
To find out more about 'Operation Butterfly', including how you can make a donation, please visit the Sutton Guardian's website.
