£600k raised for teenage cancer units in 6 months

A CAMPAIGN to raise £1.6 million for two teenage cancer units in Edinburgh has already brought in more than £600,000 in the space of six months.

The Teenage Cancer Trust appeal is well on course to reach its target ahead of schedule, with the cash going to pay for a new unit for adolescent patients at the Western General as well as one for younger teenagers at the new Sick Kids hospital when it is built.

Young patients have said the units will make a huge difference to the level of care they receive, while the charity itself praised those who have contributed generously despite the tough economic climate.

Once open, the units will ensure teenagers undergoing cancer treatment will not have to share wards with people far older than them, nor will they be placed on a children's ward.

As well as psychological benefits, it will allow those involved to meet contemporaries going through the same battles, access more leisure facilities and catch up on schoolwork.

Ross Newlands, 18, from Ferniehill, has been a regular cancer patient with NHS Lothian since diagnosis at the age of 13.

He said: "It doesn't surprise me at all that they've managed to raise this amount in such a short time.

"It's such a brilliant charity, they know what they're doing and they make things happen - it's the most worthy cause ever.

"I've had it from both points of view. When I was in the Western the next youngest person was 56, and because I had a brain tumour I was in a head injuries ward, so I was in with old guys who'd fallen on their way back from the pub.

"Then at the Sick Kids, I was by far the oldest. If these units had been around when I was in hospital it would have been a far better experience for me."

The East of Scotland appeal was launched in March by radio presenter Edith Bowman, who said at the time that every teenager who needs access to one of these units "should have that right".

It has enjoyed high-profile backing from various local celebrities including hairdresser Charlie Miller, Hibs owner Tom Farmer and Hearts football club.

And while similar fundraising campaign the New Pyjamas appeal - which vowed to raise 15m for the new Sick Kids - collapsed in acrimony having made a near 500,000 loss, the TCT has generated some major income and stepped in to help fund a family hotel along with five other charities.

NHS Lothian's chief operating officer James McCaffery said: "This is a truly remarkable charity whose work in partnership with the NHS enables the quality of health to be significantly improved for young teenagers with cancer."