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DCH Chemotherapy Appeal Target Reached

Dorset County Hospital Charity is very proud to announce that the hospital’s Chemotherapy Appeal target has been successfully reached.

The Appeal target of £850,000 has been achieved thanks to the generosity of hundreds of donors and fundraisers and some significant donations.

The Chemotherapy Appeal was officially launched at the beginning of 2019 following the completion of the hospital’s Cancer Appeal which raised £1.75 million to fund a cancer outpatient department in the hospital’s new Robert White Centre. Despite the impact of the Covid pandemic the Chemotherapy Appeal continued to receive support from the community.

Working in partnership with the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust, the Appeal is funding the complete redesign and refurbishment of the hospital’s existing Chemotherapy unit.

Abi Orchard, Lead Cancer Nurse, and her team have played a key role from the very beginning. Abi said,

“This project has been a long time in the making. Our vision for a redesigned Chemotherapy Unit, built around the needs of patients, is now very close and we are so excited to see the work planned for next year. We treat over 500 individual patients every year and the new layout will be designed to provide flexible space and the best possible environment for patient care where everyone can receive their treatment in the way that suits them best.”

Mark Addison, Chair of Dorset County Hospital Foundation Trust said,

“The redevelopment of our Chemotherapy Unit is one of our highest priorities and we are very much looking forward to seeing the final plans take shape. This is an important part of our post- pandemic recovery and a key element in the planned improvement of services for all cancer patients at Dorset County Hospital.

“We want to thank each and every one of our individual, community and corporate supporters for their generosity and their patience in bringing this Appeal to a successful conclusion – it will make an enormous difference to the experience of our patients on a daily basis.”

The new unit will provide an improved environment for the treatment of chemotherapy patients including the provision of space for friends and family to sit with patients receiving treatment.

Fortuneswell Cancer Trust, a major partner on the project, donated £100k to the Appeal. FCT Chair, Dr David Evans said,

“We at Fortuneswell Cancer Trust are delighted that this project can now go ahead. So many local people will benefit from the improved environment in which they receive their treatment.”

Other significant donations were received from local charitable bodies including the Dorset Health Trust and the Rotary Club.

In addition, hundreds of local donors and supporters, clubs and community organisations, companies, schools, and members of DCH staff raised money through fundraising events and personal challenges.

Plans for the Chemotherapy Unit’s redevelopment are now fully in progress and the project is expected to be delivered in 2022.

For further information about ways you can support Dorset County Hospital please visit www.dchcharity.org.uk or email charity@dchft.nhs.uk

Paul Appleby
Author: Paul Appleby