Exeter Leukaemia Fund to support North Devon District Hospital Chemotherapy Appeal
Exeter Leukaemia Fund is delighted to announce that the charity has agreed to significantly support the North Devon District Hospital Chemotherapy Appeal. The charity has pledged £50,000 towards the appeal and will be used specifically to fund one of the four dedicated haematology consulting rooms. In addition, the charity is working in partnership with the hospital with a view to fund specialist haematology equipment for the new building.
Established in 1987, Exeter Leukaemia Fund has helped to support thousands of sufferers of leukaemia, lymphoma and other blood conditions who have been referred to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (RD&E). This support has come in the form of funds for patient care, specialist equipment and research, which over the last 5 years has seen increasing numbers of North Devon haematology patients being treated at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.
Since 2008 RD&E haematology consultants have delivered all haematology care at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH). Whilst the majority of North Devon haematology patients continue to be treated in North Devon, those patients who have acute leukaemia or require specialist treatment are treated at the purpose built Haematology Centre at the RD&E Hospital, a centre which ELF contributed 63% of the £2.4 million cost to build and furnish the Centre over 10 years ago.
The charity’s relationship with North Devon haematology patients has developed through the support and facilities provided by ELF at the RD&E Hospital and its new Community Support Programme. The programme in the last 3 months has seen increasing numbers of North Devon patients benefiting from our transport service and relatives accommodation in Exeter.
“For ELF to be able to offer funding for one of the dedicated haematology consulting rooms for the new unit is fantastic. This timely and significant pledge to support the new unit in Barnstaple is a natural progression of the charity’s relationship with those affected with leukaemia and other blood conditions in the area. We are looking forward to the build starting and progressing so we can hand over the funds.” commented Dale Edwards, CEO of ELF.
Sharon Bates, Directorate General Manager for the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "We are very grateful to ELF for their contribution towards the haematology area of our new chemotherapy and day treatment unit at NDDH. We need to raise £2.2million for the unit and this donation of £50,000 takes us even closer to achieving that target. We are pleased to be working closely with ELF to further develop the links with North Devon as they provide such great support to haematology patients."
Pictured Dale Edwards (CEO, ELF) presents a cheque for £50,000 to (from left) Charlotte Overney (Lead Nurse for Cancer Services), Mary Bragg (Chemotherapy Unit Manager), Sharon Bates (Directorate General Manager) and Julie Whitton (Fundraising Officer).
For more information about ELF please visit www.elfcharity.org.uk
