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Issue 19
In this issue
PAGE 8: OX5RUN success! Our
most successful ever fun run for the
Children’s Hospital
Ten-year-old Libby is pictured days after her spinal surgery
A thank you to all our hospital supporters
It’s been one of the coldest starts to the
year in living memory, but this hasn’t
stopped hospital supporters from across
the region showing how warm-hearted
they are. They’ve been getting up at the
crack of dawn in arctic conditions to train
for our most successful ever Oxford Mail
OX5RUN, the London Marathon and many
other challenging events. Thanks to their
efforts it’s been an amazing start to the
fundraising year.
We wanted to take this opportunity to thank
everyone who has gone the extra mile to
support causes across our hospitals, and asked
one young patient to do the honours.
Ten year old Libby (pictured above) had
groundbreaking surgery on her back just
four days before this photo was taken. She
had two magnetic rods inserted on either
side of her spine, one of only a handful of
patients in the UK to have this procedure.
The surgeon, Mr Colin Nnadi, used a state
of the art translucent operating table that
was funded by the hospital charity, and which
allows X-rays to be performed more easily
during spinal surgery.
Libby said she was looking forward to getting
back to playing football and school life, but
added her time in hospital had been really
good. She said: ‘The nurses are so kind and
there are lots of activities to do.’ Libby knows
that much of the high tech equipment at our
hospitals, as well as the more comfortable
facilities are paid for thanks to donations
and fundraising. So she is saying thank you
on behalf of all our patients, their families, as
well as the hospital staff to everyone who has
made a donation, organised an event or taken
on a challenge for their chosen hospital cause.
You can read all about our most successful
ever OX5RUN for the Children’s Hospital,
which took place in March and has already
raised over £70,0 0 0, on page 8. Our
amazing London marathon runners for
causes across all our hospitals are featured
on page 14.
News for Supporters of Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Funds
PAGE 13: Staff share the latest
cancer innovations
PAGE 14: Our marvellous marathon
runners raise over £50,000
2
Community spirit
The London marathon is always an extraordinary
event. The sense of human endeavour,
In memory
of Denis
determination and positive spirit shine
throughout the 26.2 mile route – and of course
this year’s run had an added poignancy.
We are so proud that so many runners took
up the challenge on this
charity’s behalf, running in
memory of people they
have loved, to celebrate
overcoming their own
medical battles and simply
because they wanted to
support a special hospital
cause. Read all about
them on page 14.
Marian Holland and her daughter
Claire are pictured presenting a
cheque to oncology consultant
Dr Andy Prothero. Their donation
will fund urology research and was
made in memory of a much loved
husband and father, Denis Holland.
Having a Ball
That spirit is also seen at many of the fundraising events
we organise throughout the year and is a reflection of the
determination evident in so many of our patients. When Vanessa
Carver talks about her son’s fight with bone cancer (page 4) it
is his stoicism she still can’t get over; a mind-set that helped her
and the rest of the family through the difficult times and later
encouraged her to fundraise for the Ward that cared for him.
Patients and their families also want to know that the clinicians
treating them are passionate and determined – and those who
attended our Cancer and Haematology Presentations in April
were not disappointed. Some of the Trust’s leading cancer
clinicians explained how Oxford is at the forefront of the very
latest developments in cancer research and treatment (page 12)
and their enthusiasm for their medical field was clear for all.
No one chooses to be in hospital – but thanks to your help we
can make the experience that little bit easier for patients and
their families – funding groundbreaking research, the very latest
equipment and creating more comfortable and welcoming areas
for patients of all ages.
Angela Burgess organised a charity
ball in aid of the craniofacial unit,
raising £4,150! She is pictured with
her husband, Ian, son Will and
craniofacial nurse, Sue Greenwood.
Match money
Whether you are running a marathon, making cakes, selling books
or simply making a donation, by supporting your hospital charity
you are making a difference for many.
THANK YOU
The Fundraising Team
PS: If you would like to set yourself a challenge why not sign up for our next
abseil on Sunday 22 September, or organise your own activity for a Fund.
A collection for the Children’s
Hospital took place at the London
Welsh v Northants Saints match
raising £560. Thanks to all who helped.
Remember, we have a team de
3
Fundraisers’ News
Thank you to all our supporters whose energy, enthusiasm and imagination continues to inspire. Please tell us
about your fundraising and we will try to include your picture. Email sarah.vaccari@ouh.nhs.uk or call 01865 743428
Summer Ball
for Samantha
Jane Boswell held a summer ball
in Tiddington to remember her
daughter Samantha. Samantha died
following breast cancer aged just 30.
Remembering Rowan
Margaret McLuckie lost her
grandchild, Rowan, aged
just six months in 2010
and wanted to support the
children’s Critical Care Unit
that looked after him.
She and seventy volunteers
from the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints in
Oxford wrapped Christmas
presents for shoppers and
with the help of Sainsbury’s
they raised over £3,600!
The event raised £1,600 for the
Oxford Heart Centre as well as
other funds for their local hospital’s
scanner appeal.
Angie’s Birthday
Angie Bryant held a birthday ball to
support Heads Up, our fund researching
head and neck cancer. She said: ‘I couldn’t
think of a better way to celebrate turning
50 than to raise money for those who’ve
ensured that I’m here to see it!
A close shave!
Over 250 people attended the event which
raised £8,500 for Heads Up and I intend
to make this an annual event.’
University Challenge
Iron Man for William
Mike Palmer ran his first ever
marathon this February in Bahrain,
which he quickly followed with a Half
Ironman. He raised over £500 for
the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in
memory of a very special little boy,
William James Radley.
Oxford Councillor Mark Lygo
shaved his head and beard to raise
money for the Oxford Children’s
Hospital and then went on to
run the OX5RUN. He said he
was inspired by Andrew Baker
and all the other young hospital
fundraisers.
David Braun and 15 other staff,
students, and Fellows from
University College, Oxford, cycled
72 miles from Westminster to
Oxford raising over £3,000 for the
Oxford Children’s Hospital. Special
thanks to the bursar Elizabeth
Crawford, Sara Dewsbury and the
organisers of the Islip Big Bike Ride.
edicated to helping your fundraising efforts. Call us on 01865 743444 or visit www.ouh.nhs.uk/charity
4
Vanessa’s story
‘I never thought I would be the sort of person to run the Paris Marathon, but then
again I never thought my son would get a rare bone cancer aged just 16.’
Vanessa Carver, from High Wycombe writes:
In June 2010, our son Joe was diagnosed with
Osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer that
mainly affects adolescents. What followed this
appalling shock was almost a year of treatment
for Joe, including loads of chemotherapy and
several operations.
In September that year he had his biggest surgery, which
was to remove the tumour from his tibia and insert a large
prosthesis.
Following that was a further 18 weeks of intravenous
chemotherapy, with even worse side-effects for Joe as he
now had less ability to resist the symptoms, and November
saw an operation to remove a small metastatic tumour
from his lung. He finally finished his treatment in March
2011 and returned to school having missed most of Year 12.
What kept us sane and positive was the stoic nature of my
son. He just wanted to get well and get back to a normal
teenage life. He simply never made a fuss.
The good news is that the treatment was successful and now
Joe just has to have a check-up every three months, fitted in
when he comes back from Southampton Uni where he is in
his first year of studying for a degree in Computer Science.
As you can imagine I spent many, many weeks in Kamran’s
Ward at the Oxford Children’s Hospital. Whilst I was there
I read several editions of this fundraising magazine – cover to
cover – and was truly inspired by all the amazing fundraising
stories for so many different hospital causes. I knew that
once the nightmare was over I wanted to do something
positive to thank the staff who looked after Joe and make
life that little bit easier for other parents and children going
through the same ordeal.
Now running is just not my thing. Anyone who knows me
will tell you that. So when I started to look for a challenge
I knew a marathon would be the ultimate. I didn’t have
total confidence in my ability though, so I held back on the
fundraising until I had a good three months training under
my belt. But once I started telling everyone the money came
pouring in. I have now raised over £8,000.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: search ‘Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Funds’
5
Teaching children to save lives
Lynn Pilgrim, Oxfordshire I.M.P.S. Manager writes:
I.M.P.S. stands for the Injury Minimization Programme for
Schools, and every year this innovative scheme trains
thousands of Oxfordshire primary school children
in basic first aid including how to use an Automated
External Defibrillator (AED). That’s an army of children
trained to save a life!
When the children of Cropredy Primary school, near
Banbury, visited I.M.P.S. last year, they came back
determined to have more than just memories.
Their local GP, Dr Barry Tucker, was so inspired by
hearing what the children had learned that he worked
with the Parish Council to install a public access
defibrillator on the outside wall of the village surgery.
He said: ‘Thanks must be given to the I.M.P.S. trainers
for the inspiration and raising awareness of defibrillators
with the pupils at the village school.’
When the day arrived I still couldn’t really believe I was
actually going to run over 26 miles. I had set myself
the target of completing it in less than 5 hours, and
somehow I managed to do it in 4 hours 53 minutes –
and that included a rather long loo stop on the way
where I had to queue for 15 minutes!
Caroline Tucker, a year six teacher at Cropredy Primary,
added: ‘Each year our pupils learn such vital first aid
and lifesaving skills at I.M.P.S., enabling them to become
confident young members of the community who can
cope with many emergency situations.’
If you would like to support the I.M.P.S. fund, why
not come to its annual ball taking place on 16th November
at Hawkwell House in Iffley. A table of ten costs £500,
to include a drink, 3 course meal and dancing to Boogie
Me. Email: imps@ouh.nhs.uk to find out more.
On the Ball
I am so proud of my son, and so pleased I have done
something positive; it really feels like we have now
turned a corner.
If you would like to support a hospital cause that
you care about call us on 01865 743444 or email
charity@ouh.nhs.uk
“
I hope that some of you reading this –
maybe just like I did, sitting in the hospital
willing everything to be ok for someone
you really love – will also think about how
you can challenge yourself and raise some
money for the hospital charity.
”
A group of football referees from Northants
and Bedfordshire played an inter-county football match
in aid of the Children’s Hospital. Peter Nemeth, one of
the referees taking part, has a 16-year-old step daughter
being treated at the hospital. Pete explains: ‘Shannice has
Ewing’s Sarcoma Cancer and regularly attends the Oxford
Children’s Hospital’s cancer ward. She was first diagnosed
with a tumour in her pelvis in November 2011, though
this has now created secondary a tumour in her lungs.
She continues her brave fight with specialist treatment
including chemo at JR. She has been made incredibly
comfortable and welcome at the hospital’.
6
Oxford Heartfelt Appeal
Heart consultant takes
on 100 mile Thames trial
An exh
au
at the e sted and froz
nd of h
en Tim
is 100
mile or Betts
deal.
You may think working in the
fast paced world of cardiology
would give a consultant enough
challenges to tackle. Especially
if you specialise in heart rhythm
management and lead a clinical
research team. But Tim Betts is
made of sterner stuff.
Tim was featured in this magazine
a couple of years ago when he ran
seven marathons in seven days
across the hills of the Wainwright
route, raising £7,000 for the new
Heart Centre. It’s a feat that seemed
hard to beat.
But this March (the coldest on
record), Tim took on an even
tougher trial – the Thames 100.
This is a 100-mile route along the
Thames, running non-stop through
the day and night. It’s one of the
most demanding running challenges
in the UK. He took part raising
money for the Oxford Heartfelt
Appeal – to deliver world class
cardiac diagnosis and treatment
facilities at the John Radcliffe
Hospital’s Echocardiography Unit.
Tim explains: ‘The course was
rerouted at the last minute due to
extensive flooding, so we ran 38
miles out from Richmond through
Windsor to Cookham along the
Thames Path, back into London,
back to Cookham then finished
in Windsor. It totalled 105 miles
in the end, that’s four consecutive
marathons.’
‘The weather was awful. Too cold to
rain but plenty of sleet and a bitter
wind that lowered the temperature
to - 6 degrees. The ground was a
churned up mud that led to slipping
and sliding all over the place.’
‘Only 164 people started in
Richmond, meaning 86 were sensible
enough to pull out before it began.
90 people finished and I dragged
myself across the line in 51st position.’
‘I ran the first marathon in 4½ hours,
the second marathon in 4½ hours,
the third marathon in 6 hours and
then the challenge really began as my
joints started failing. My right knee
was exquisitely painful, both ankles
swelled and my shins burned with
every step. It took me 11 hours to
hobble the last 25 miles (10 of them
accompanied by my freezing wife). I
made it, but only just.’
This latest challenge by
Tim has already raised
nearly £8,000 for the
Heartfelt Appeal and
you can still donate to
Tim’s fundraising page by
visiting www.justgiving.
com/hundred4heart or by
calling the fundraising
Team on 01865 743444
YOU can donate £1 to £10 to the Heart Centre Campaign by texting OXHC12 to 70070
7
WITNEY
Alexandra’s Great Fundraising Mission
Alexandra Williams was inspired to start fundraising
for the Oxford Heartfelt Appeal after her husband
suffered an aortic dissection of the heart.
She has pledged to raise £50,000 for the cause as a thank
you to the surgeons and staff at the Oxford Heart Centre
for his life saving care. Her fundraising started this April
when she held a designer and nearly new clothes sale,
raising £2,500 for the appeal, and further exciting events
are being planned for the Autumn.
Alexandra explained: ‘The Oxford Heart Centre saved my
husband’s life. He was at death’s door and if they hadn’t
operated as quickly as they did, he would undoubtedly have
died. I have pledged to raise this money as a thank you for
the fantastic care he received, particularly from the wonderful
surgeon Ravi De Silva.’
For shopping, eating and leisure
Marriotts Walk, Witney
is the place to visit!
• Debenhams Desire
• Marks & Spencer • Phase Eight
• Dorothy Perkins • Crew Clothing
• Fresh Cards & Gifts
• Monsoon Accessorize • Wallis
• Café Rouge • Frankie & Benny’s
• New Look • Caffé Nero
• Cineworld – 5-screen cinema
• Fat Face • East
• Whittards of Chelsea
• For competitions and up to date
information please visit our website
www.marriottswalk.co.uk
info@marriottswalk.co.uk
Tel: 01993 704262
Head of Major Gifts, Andrew House added: ‘This support
will benefit thousands of heart patients in our area, so we are
hugely grateful for Alexandra and her family for their energy
and generosity.’
Alexandra’s next fundraising event is a Charity Art Auction
on 14 September. Please visit the website for full details
nearer the time.
There’s now Help to Buy
with a 5% deposit
With the brand new
Government-backed Help to
Buy† scheme, you can buy a
new home at De Lacy Fields
with a low 5% deposit and
75% mortgage, even if you’re
an existing homeowner.
†
HELP TO BUY
Here’s how it works:
Plot 6 – The Lincoln 4 bedroom semi-detached home
Worked example based on a £375,000 purchase price
You arrange mortgage (75%)
Deposit (5%)
Government equity loan (20%)
£281,250
£18,750
£75,000
Total purchase price
£375,000
De Lacy Fields Kingsmere Village, Near Bicester, Oxfordshire OX26 1RS
Alexandra, friends and family all helped at the designer sale
If you would like to find out more about how you
can help the Oxford Heartfelt Appeal to create and equip
brand new echocardiography facilities for patients, please
get in touch. Why not set up a regular giving donation via
www.justgiving.com/oxfordradcliffe call 01865 743444 or
email charity@ouh.nhs.uk to find out more.
A prestigious collection of 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes from only £280,000
Sales centre and showhomes open daily from 10am to 5pm
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE
OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.
See the difference at dwh.co.uk/delacyfields or call 01869 253 019
† Limited availability, selected plots only, subject to status, terms and conditions apply. Scheme cannot be used in conjunction with any
other David Wilson offer. See website for details. Help to Buy is available in England only. Prices correct at time of going to press. Images
typical of David Wilson homes. £18,750 deposit is based on 5% of £375,000 purchase price.
8
Children’s Hospital…
1,000 take part in our most successful fun run ever!
Many of those running were the family and friends of patients
treated at the Children’s Hospital, which gave the event an
extra depth of emotion. Team Spiderboy Joshua, Witney and
Hailey Wondermumies, Teams H, Keymer, Mya and Chloe and
are just a few of the family teams who took part.
Raymond Blanc, Olympian Hannah England and brain
surgeon Jay Jayamohan set the runners off on the route
through the grounds of Blenheim Palace. Jay recently
featured on the BBC2 series Brain Doctors, which highlighted
the work of the neurosurgery team at the John Radcliffe.
Despite near arctic conditions the Oxford Mail
OX5RUN smashed all previous records this March, raising
over £70,000 for the Oxford Children’s Hospital and
children’s causes across the Trust. With 1,000 supporters
taking part in the annual five mile fun run round Blenheim,
this year’s was also the biggest yet. All this means we will be
able to provide even more medical equipment and improved
facilities for our young patients and their families.
Before the run we received a message from the Prime
Minister, David Cameron, who said: ‘The cold start and
hills are nothing compared to some of the challenges young
patients face each day at the Oxford Children’s Hospital.
Having taken part in this fantastic event myself in 2009, I am
urging the Oxfordshire business community to get involved
and enter as many teams as possible.’
This, together with the work of our sponsors Allen Associates
meant we had more local companies taking part than ever
before, adding hugely to the success of the day.
Children’s Hospital fundraiser Penny Hambridge said:
‘We are thrilled that this year’s Oxford Mail OX5RUN
has broken all previous records, it’s just astounding. We
would like to thank our friends at the Oxford Mail for once
again organising this wonderful event, and sponsors Allen
Associates for their continued support. Thanks also to the
Duke of Marlborough and his team at Blenheim Palace and
Raymond Blanc, Hannah England and Jay Jayamohan who
started the event, plus George Martini and JACKfm. But the
greatest thanks must go to the runners – who had such spirit
and determination on that bitterly cold day and have now
raised over £70,000 between them – we applaud them and
are so grateful to them all.’
A presentation evening was held in April to award cups
to OX5RUN winners and Laura Thompson, a 14-year-old
patient, gave an inspiring speech thanking everyone who
supports the hospital.
Watch the video of the day on our website www.ouh.
nhs.uk/ox5run. Thanks to Simon Haynes for making it.
OX5 winners
Les Newell, and
Natalie Babington
Nursing staff
and families with
children in hospital
helped make it a
really special day
Laura Thompson awarded team cups to the Oxford Vaccine Group,
Siemens Magnet Technology and Nicholsons Nursery.
YOU can donate £1 to £10 to the Children’s Hospital by texting CHOX12 to 70070
9
Let’s hear it for teens!
Whilst the media is often full of
negative stories about teenagers,
we are heartened by the amazing
young people supporting our
many hospital causes. In the past
few months teenagers have been
walking, baking, singing and dancing
for the Children’s Hospital. Here
are just a few of their stories:
15 year old Charlotte Apps, from
Denchworth, baked for a year,
selling cakes and pies raising £2,000!
She wanted to help teenagers who
have cancer.
A group of pupils from Henry Box
School took on the Three Peaks
Challenge, after Jess Foster’s sister
Lara was treated on Kamran’s Ward,
raising £1,700.
Pupils from Chilworth House
School made Christmas cards in aid
of the hospital.
Kizzy Horgan a 16 year old student
from Cassington put on a gig to
showcase young bands in the county
and raised £1,200 in the process.
Emilie Philpott, Emma Hiscocks
and Beth Clarke organised a talent
show and raised over £2,000 for
Kamran’s and Melanie’s Wards by
putting on a variety show.
Golfers raise £10,000
A huge thank you to Bicester Hotel Golf and Spa for
raising over £10,000 for the Oxford Children’s Hospital,
their chosen charity.
The club organised a summer charity day with golf and
putting competitions, BBQ, cakes and a raffle and auction.
Men’s Captain David Billington said: ‘My daughter Lucy was
born recently, perfectly healthy, but I know of many others
who have needed the extra care of the hospital. So this felt
like a perfect local cause to support. I’d like to thank all the
local businesses who sponsored the holes on the day, helping
us to raise so much money.’
A cracking Easter
London Welsh rugby players
and their mascot visited the
Children’s Hospital to hand
out Easter Eggs. More Easter
treats came from Chateaux
Gateaux who brought in
fabulous chocolate creation
(pictured) British Gas who
donated a huge selection of
eggs and the H Riders group
who also donated Easter eggs.
COMING UP: There are lots of events coming up for the Children’s Hospital including THE Abseil on Sunday 22 September,
Golf Day on 16 June and Music by the Lake on 7 September. See the website for full details www.ouh.nhs.uk/charity
10
Horton General Hospital…
Three tough guys for
two little bruisers!
Matt and Emily Cowing’s twin boys, Ronnie
and Ruben, spent two weeks in the care of the
Horton Special Care Baby Unit in May 2010.
The couple from Brackley wanted to give
something back to help other families in the
same circumstances.
Matt, together with friends took part in the
gruelling and very muddy Tough Guy course near
Wolverhampton this January and have raised
£1,060 for the Horton Special Care Baby Unit.
Some of the money they raised has funded a
Nellcor Saturation Monitor, used to measure a
baby’s heart rate and blood saturation levels.
In a League
of their own
Sainsbury’s bring smiles to
Horton Children’s Ward
The Horton League of Friends have
been a busy lot, and recent purchases
made possible by their ongoing
support include:
Two Oximeters to measure oxygenation
in the blood non-invasively (one of which
was funded by the Banbury Round Tablers
following a pitch by the League at their
‘Dragon’s Den Evening’); Occupational
Therapy Items to aid cognitive perceptual
and motor deficiencies; a donation towards
Cardiac Rehab’s ‘recumbent and upright
stepper’ and a physiotherapy Treadmill.
Horton Fundraising Project Manager,Yolanda
Jacob, said: ‘I’d like to say a huge thank you
to the Horton League of Friends for their
ongoing support – it really is wonderful.’
Sainsbury’s brought some smiles to the Horton Children’s
Ward by donating a huge selection of toys to the Children’s
Ward, at the Horton General Hospital.
Yolanda Jacob said, ‘I’d like to thank everyone at Sainsbury’s
involved in making this very kind donation. Keeping children
relaxed and happy whilst they are on the Ward is really
important and these toys will make a real difference.’
Follow us on Twitter: search @OxHospCharity
11
Aiden’s Super Smile
Aiden, before surgery, aged 9 weeks (above) and Aiden one day after surgery (below)
R.M COURIERS LTD
Andy Cross from Carterton raised £500 for
Robin’s Ward at the Children’s Hospital with
staff from Cottsway Housing. He explains:
‘Aiden was born with a cleft lip and palate which effects
1 in 700 children born every year. Initially the news was
devastating – but you soon realise that there are so many
children and families that have to deal with a lot worse.
(NATIONWIDE/WORLDWIDE LOGISTICS)
NEXT MORNING TO
THE USA / CANADA
In the end you just deal with it and when you get that
lovely smile your problems seem to go away. Aiden was
admitted to Robin’s Ward at the children’s Hospital, one of
only nine dedicated Cleft Centres in the whole of England,
for his first surgery. It was a very nervous time, but we
were absolutely amazed at the results. When they say
‘you’ve got the best surgeon in the UK’ you wonder, but
the pictures tell the story.
Aiden will be continually supported by the Cleft team and
Robins Ward at the JR into his 20’s, which is a great comfort
to us. Without the dedicated team that are at the JR it
certainly would be a lot harder to cope.
Until you actually become a father or mother you never
quite realise the effect children will have on your life. One
thing is for sure, he means the world to me no matter what!’
A COMPLETE NETWORK OF COURIER/FREIGHT SERVICES
WORLDWIDE AND UK. TO ENSURE YOU HAVE THE BEST
SERVICE WHEREVER YOU WANT TO SEND TO
YOUR LOCAL COURIER WITH THE POWER TO
DELIVER AND A PRICE YOU WILL LIKE
TEL 01865 712228
WEB ADDRESS http://www.rm-couriers.co.uk
12
Cancer causes
Presentation highlights cancer advances
Sister Sarah Curtis and Matron Hayley Smith are pictured setting up some of the patient displays in advance of the talks.
400 people attended a series of fascinating presentations
about the latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of
cancer this April. The event was opened by Professor Mark
Middleton, the Trust’s lead cancer clinician. He explained
how the collaboration in Oxford between the OUH NHS
Trust and NHS research bodies, Oxford University, and
charities – including this one – has created a world class
concentration of cancer research and treatment focussing
on personalised, tailored and targeted treatments.
Nick Maynard, consultant surgeon, spoke about developments
in surgery over 100 years, from the very first oesophageal
cancer operation which involved a bicycle inner tube, to
today’s computerised operations with multidisciplinary teams.
Chris Hatton shared developments in Haematology and
the search for the ‘magic bullet’. He highlighted the aim
of targeted treatments without side effects and explained
some exciting developments in the treatment of Hodgkin’s
lymphoma.
Patricia Williams who attended the talk said: ‘I lost my
husband to cancer exactly 10 years ago, and have recently
had my own experience with it, so I thought I knew
most there was to know, but today has been fascinating.
The passion the doctors have and the level of research
undertaken in Oxford was hugely reassuring.’
Cancer teens and young adults get fresh facilities
The refurbishment, funded charitably, has brought a fresh
new look with – a chill-out lounge with a TV, games
and jukebox, and another quieter room for activities,
consultations and counselling.
Karen Sherbourne (pictured), Nursing Lead for Teenagers
and Young Adults with Cancer, said: ‘Having this space is
really important as these young people can now socialise
with others going through a similar experience. It feels very
different now, it’s not clinical, and the patients really love it.’
An area close to the Oncology Ward at the Churchill has
been dedicated to the needs of older teenagers and young
adults being treated for cancer.
One patient said: ‘The room has made such a difference. It
is very easy to feel bored and alienated if you are stuck in
your bed on a ward all the time without anyone of similar
age to talk to. It’s awesome now.’
YOU can donate £1 to £10 to the Cancer Care Campaign by texting OXCC12 to 70070
13
A fund is born
Angela Nichols has helped to create a new
fund within our charity, raising money for
Adult Sarcoma cancer research after losing
her husband Tony to the condition. This is
her story:
My husband, Tony, developed a rare form of cancer: Ewing’s
Sarcoma. Fewer than 100 people in Britain are diagnosed
with it each year.
Throughout Tony’s illness, we asked a lot of the hospital
team, led by Professor Hassan, and they were superb with
us – at every step. Professor Hassan and his team in Oxford
have been working hard researching different treatments for
what can only be described as a tremendously aggressive
and nasty disease that simply makes the human body
destroy itself.
Like any patient, we were desperate for any information
we could get. We quickly found out that there is simply
too little awareness of the cancer and very few funds being
channelled into the research. We thought: we have to do
something, we have to help. That’s when a Fund was born.
Together with the team at Charitable Funds and Prof
Hassan and his team, we set up a dedicated fund to
support his research – The Adult Sarcoma Fund. Then we
started fundraising. Garden parties, curry nights, quiz nights,
collection tin-rattling, even the London Marathon!
We also biked 100 miles from Oxford to Cambridge and
if that wasn’t enough, we are soon cycling from London
to Paris!
It is good to know that every penny of the money we raise
goes into the Prof’s fund for a special kind of research called
proteomics. It’s the most advanced research at the smallest
level of genes and their proteins. Our particular project
analyses data from high quality human samples to test out
responsiveness to different types of treatments.
In addition, we all want to help develop ways that patients
can get information, interact with their care teams, find
out what happens to the tissue they donate, and access
the latest research results.
Whilst there is nothing we can do to bring Tony back, we
can do everything within our power to minimise the chances
of others suffering in the same way that Tony did and to help
minimise the pain felt by other cancer sufferers’ loved ones.
Despite the road to recovery being a long one, we always
kept faith in the wonders of medicine and science. We are
keeping faith still.
Aged 37, Tony has left behind a mum and a dad, a wife and
a young daughter, as well as a brother, his in-laws and many,
many friends. Tony’s wife, Angela, continues to work hard
to raise money.
14
London Marathon
Runners raise £50,000!
Our hospital charity was fantastically supported
by runners in the Virgin London Marathon who
have already raised close to £50,000! Here are
some of their stories:
Hugh Morris ran for the Head and Neck cancer research
fund, Heads Up. Hugh, a former England Cricketer and now
head of English Cricket, was diagnosed with cancer in 2002
and had to undergo major surgery. Nearly 10 years to the
day after completing his treatment he finished the London
Marathon in under five hours, raising over £11,500! He said:
‘The atmosphere was fantastic and the weather great; it was
a terrific experience but I can honestly say, never again!’
Also running for Heads Up, following his father’s diagnosis
with neck cancer, was Jonathan Lacey. Sadly a knee injury
at the 16 mile point forced him to stop. He said: ‘To say I
am gutted would be a gross understatement.’ But Jonathan
hopes his efforts will still raise an amazing £3,000.
Lara Cook ran for the Haematology Ward, raising over
£4,000 in memory of her dad. She said: ‘Crossing that
finish line was the best feeling ever, I remember shouting
to myself, ‘We did it dad!’. I know he would be so proud.’
Melissa Lee ran for Cancer Care in memory of her
mother’s late partner, Robin. She explained: ‘I remember
the enthusiasm Robin had for life and this spurred me on!’
Steven Radley ran his second London marathon in memory
of his son, William. He said: ‘I was injured with a slipped disc,
but there was no way I’d let myself, or William, down. It was
painful and emotional but I raised over £7,500 in memory
of my beautiful son. The money will go, in his name, to help
lots of other sick babies who need the Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit in the JR.’
Angus Reid raised nearly £5,000 for SCCWID at the
Children’s Hospital. He explained: ‘Everything about the
day was just so fantastic, the weather, the patriotic British
spirit, the fellow runners, the incredible crowds egging us
on. Running the marathon has been the best thing I have
done and I am so happy to have raised so much for this
incredible charity.’
Caroline Darnell was spurred on by pupils at Wheatley
Primary School and ran for the Injury Minimization
Programme for Schools (I.M.P.S.) raising over £1,300. Sarah
Westbrook-Burr ran in support of our Childhood Cancer
Fund, raising over £1,000. She completed the course in a
fantastic 4:23:44.
Suzanne Kentish ran for the Horton Maternity Ward and
several other charities, in memory of her daughter who was
still born at 39 weeks. The Horton funds will go towards
hand and foot castings, for other parents at a time of
bereavement.
Andrew Styles who works for Charitable Funds ran for the
Fund for Children, completing the course in a cracking
3:36:06 – the fastest of all our runners. He said: ‘I have
wanted to take part in the London Marathon for as long as
I can remember, and it didn’t disappoint. This was without
doubt one of the best days of my life. Though the day after
wasn’t.’ Another Fund for Children runner was Lorraine Alder
who raised over £2,600. Lorraine was treated in the JR’s
Children’s Ward when she was younger and said: ’I ran to
give something back to them for saving my life.’
Silver Star, the fund which helps parents through more
complicated pregnancies, had five runners raising £3,500.
Friends Linsey Cresswell and Sarah Jones ran much of the
course together. Ben Vincent and Anna Spiers ran to thank
Silver Star for the care received for Hayden. Claudia Walters
sadly had to pull up at seven miles due to an injury.
Liz Francis-Webb ran for the Trust’s General Fund, as so
many of her friends and family have been treated across
our hospitals. She said: ‘It was by far the hardest thing I
have ever done, I crossed the finish line after an emotional
six hours!’ Lisa Martin completed the course in a speedy
4:23:22 raising nearly £1,200 for the Oxford Eye Hospital.
Janet Sprake who organises the hospital marathon places
said: ‘It’s easy to say, ‘well done’, and ‘we’re proud of you’ but
no words can really express the gratitude and admiration
we all feel for those who ran an incredible 26.2 miles and
fought through their own agonies to reach the finish line.
Their reasons were many and all had heart rending stories.
We are all in total awe of their achievement. What a superb
bunch of brave people.’
YOU can donate to support causes across our hospitals by texting GIVE19 to 70070
15
Torch-lite:
News in brief from around the Trust
Senior Nurse Penney Clarke and her team at the
Churchill Hospital have developed an award-winning mobile
phone app to help prevent blood clots. Search for the app
using ‘preventing VTE’.
Some of
our run
pre-mara ners came to a
thon get-t
ogether
Congratulations to long term Children’s Hospital
supporter, Andrew Baker, who received an award for
enterprising fundraising at the Oxfordshire Youth Awards
in February.
Many thanks to Radio Cherwell for organising the
Boulevard Swing concert raising funds for hospital radio
and neonatal care.
Cupcake Cottons in Burford is holding an exhibition
of quilts made by their students from 30th Aug to 1st Sept
at Burford School. A raffle will raise money for the Jane
Ashley Unit at the Churchill and prizes include hand pieced
quilts. Call 01993 824974 for full details or see our website.
ebb supported
Liz Francis-W
e hospitals
th
causes across
s
d Anna Spier
Ben Vincent an
Star
er
ilv
S
of
t
or
ran in supp
If social media is your thing you can keep up to date
with what we are up to through Facebook and Twitter.
For Facebook search under Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals
Charitable Funds and for Twitter use @OxHospCharity.
Silver Star, the fund that supports parents through
complicated pregnancies also has a Facebook page,
search Silver Star Oxford and a twitter feed @silverstarStar.
Heads Up – the head and neck cancer research fund is
on Facebook under Heads Up Oxford.
Linsey C
resswell
and Sara
h Jones ce
lebrating
with thei
r medals
You can support The Children’s Hospital, the Breast
Reconstruction Awareness Group (BRA) for woman affected
by breast cancer and the Oxford Transplant Centre at our
next abseil on Sunday 22 September. Book your place now
by calling 01865 743444.
If you are planning your own fundraising event or
challenge for the hospital charity do give us a call so we
can help 01865 743444 and why not set up a fundraising
page at www.justgiving/oxfordradcliffe.
Our hospital Trust is aiming to become a Foundation
Trust and you can help in this mission. We need 7,000
to become ‘members’ to help us steer the Trust forward.
To become a member email ouhmembers@ouh.nhs.uk or
call 01865 743491.
yles
ew St
Andr es
d
n
a
ley
caus
ren’s
n Rad
Steve n for child
a
both r
Cricketer
Hugh Mor
ris ran for
Heads Up
Good luck to staff from Torpedo who are walking from
London to Brighton as part of a year of fundraising efforts
for the Children’s Hospital.
WHAT’S ON: For details of all events go to www.ouh.nhs.uk/charity or call 01865 743444
2013: Sunday 16 June – Play2Give. Annual children’s
football tournament in aid of the Children’s Hospital in Oxford.
Visit www.play2give.org.uk for more information.
Friday 28 June – Children’s Hospital Golf Day. Studley Wood
Golf Club. Includes coffee and bacon rolls, 18 hole golf plus other
competitions, awards evening with dinner and prizes. See the website
for more details www.ouh.nhs.uk/charity or call Penny Hambridge
on 01865 743445.
Saturday 29 June – Silver Star Family Fun Day. 2 - 4pm. Takes
place on the lawns opposite the Women’s Centre at the JR. See Silver
Star website for details www.silverstaroxford.org
Saturday 7 September – Music By The Lake. A unique musical
event in a beautiful country-house setting, to raise money for the
Oxford Children’s Hospital. Takes places at the Old Rectory, Adstock,
Bucks., find out more on our website or by calling 01865 743445.
Sunday 22 September – THE Abseil, the second of our annual
abseils, this time in support of the Fund for Children and Oxford
Children’s Hospital, Oxford BRA Group (Breast Reconstruction
Awareness) and the Oxford Transplant Centre. It costs just £10 to
enter. Call 01865 743444 or email charity@ouh.nhs.uk
Saturday 16 November – The I.M.P.S. Ball at Hawkwell
House in Iffley. A table of ten costs £500, to include a drink, 3
course meal and dancing to Boogie Me. Email imps@ouh.nhs.uk to
find out more.
Saturday 7 December – Carols and canapés at Ditchley Park
in support of the Cancer Care Fund and Urology at the Churchill.
Find us on
search under
‘Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Funds’
to get the latest news @OxHospCharity
Follow us on
e: charity@ouh.nhs.uk or t: 01865 743444
www.ouh.nhs.uk/charity
✃
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