Sponsored by
New cancer support centre + download your donation form
A new support centre for cancer patients is to be opened at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Download your donation coupon
The Macmillan Cancer Support centre will provide face-to-face advice to people affected by the disease.
Deborah Spraggon, an information and support manager for the charity, said the purpose-built facility will give patients and carers the chance to discuss their concerns and anxieties.
Currently, the hospital's cancer support worker can be only contacted by phone and doesn't have a workplace suitable for private discussions and counselling.
"This support will help cancer patients and their carers to manage the distress and anxiety that inevitably accompany a cancer diagnosis, as well as discussing practical and financial problems," said Deborah.
"We don't just give people leaflets and phone numbers and assume they'll feel confident about taking action.
"We go to great lengths to make sure the information is clear and will make calls to medical and benefits professionals to help sort things out if they're worried about doing it themselves."
The centre, run by the charity, is due to open in the summer.
It will feature an information room and a quiet area for private discussion and counselling. Sarah Goldie, Macmillan's fund-raising manager for Wearside, said: "We are only able to fund services like this because of the money donated to us. We rely 100 per cent on the kindness and efforts of the people who support us.
"We are appealing to local people to help fund the new Macmillan information and support centre." Anyone who would like to organise a fund-raising event or remember the charity in a will can do so by calling 0780 955 4966.
Deborah provides advice and support to patients and carers on 541 0122.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Sunderland striker Campbell fresh to face Middlesbrough
- Sunderland’s astonishing rise even surprising Martin O’Neill
- Middlesbrough 1 Sunderland 2 (aet): O’Neill relieved to avoid shoot-out lottery as Sessegnon wins it
- Martin O’Neill defends David Meyler after criticism from Tony Pulis
- Kieran Richardson says there is plenty more to come from James McClean
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
