The Big Space Cancer Appeal-
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About our charity and what we stand for
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Plans for new cancer care centre get major boost as appeal hits £9million milestone
Dreams of transforming cancer care in Gloucestershire are one step closer to becoming a reality thanks to the generous support of people across the county.
The Big Space Cancer Appeal has now hit the £9million mark and plans for the new modern centre at Cheltenham General Hospital will now move to the next phase.
The new centre aims to improve the environment and experience for patients and staff complete with light consulting rooms, digital appointment suites and outdoor space.
“We are just so incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported the Big Space Cancer Appeal so far and for the amazing generosity of the people of Gloucestershire. From donations to gifts in wills, bake sales and charity runs – everyone is giving what they can to help make this centre a reality and their support is greatly appreciated." “Hitting this milestone amount of money means we can now take forward phase one of the project to build the new centre, and subject to planning permission, we hope to have spades in the ground next year.”
Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity Associate Director Richard Smith
The new centre will have a range of comfortable, clinically excellent treatment and consultation rooms, all with bright natural light. There will be a welcoming new waiting area and beautifully designed gardens, giving patients and loved ones a space to be together.
Dr Sean Elyan, Consultant Oncologist said: “This new building has been designed to be the very best we can make it and will make a dramatic difference to the care experience of every cancer patient and loved one who comes here.
“All research and evidence show that when we provide a bright, spacious healing environment – both the experience of patients and speed of recovery improves.
“I am immensely proud of our dedicated team and the care we provide. Every day I am humbled to witness this but saddened by the facilities that they use. I know the experience of receiving and delivering care could be improved hugely if we had a modern, state of the art facility designed around the needs of the patient.”
Long-term cancer survivor Nara Kahkonen said she believes the new centre will hugely benefit patients and their loved ones.
She was first diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in 1991 when she was only 20 and raising a nine-month-old baby son. After initially receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy in Cheltenham, Nara later underwent a pioneering a stem cell transplant in Bristol in 1993.
Nara said: “I only had a 40% chance of surviving the treatment, let alone curing the cancer. Luckily my Cheltenham team supported me every step of the journey. It may sound obvious, but I really do owe them my life.”
She added: “Fighting to stay alive meant I could see my little boy grow up to be the wonderful man he is today. 31 years ago, my treatment was pioneering and there was no real single point of care. Over many years I watched waiting rooms became busier and busier, and I remember saying to my consultant that he would soon be playing a very full house.”
Nara, from Stroud, believes so many patients will benefit from the improved cancer facilities.
“When you are first diagnosed, your world is turned upside and all sorts of emotions hit you. Being able to visit a calming space will make a huge difference. A place to have those difficult and private clinical discussions. Somewhere to make the experience more bearable so that when you leave you can gather your thoughts, find the positives and enjoy the wins. This new facility will make an incredible difference to the lives of patients and their families.”
More than £17m needs to be raised in total for the Big Space Cancer Appeal that will also see existing oncology facilities improved as part of the project.
To find out more, or to make a donation, please visit our Big Space Cancer Appeal page.
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