A team of nurses, volunteers and some very generous patients have helped raise a staggering £25,000 towards the refurbishment of the Hematology Day Unit at St Peter’s Hospital.
Over a four-week period the nurses held weekly bake sales and sold raffle tickets in a bid to raise a ‘few pounds’ to help redecorate the unit, but following kind and unexpected donations from a number of patients (including a staggering £20,000 from one patient alone), the total raised in a few short weeks has far exceeded all expectations.
900 raffle tickets were sold with many of the prizes donated coming courtesy of the patients treated on the unit, many of whom are currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy.
St Peter’s hematology unit treats issues with blood in health and disease. It includes problems with the red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, blood vessels, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and the proteins involved in bleeding and clotting.
Juliet Nkansa, Sister on the unit said; “We had a fabulous response to the bake sales but we never expected to realise anything like the amount we’ve raised, it’s been absolutely overwhelming. We started out with a small idea to refresh the environment in response to patients telling us they felt the unit could do with a little ‘sprucing up’.
“The amount we’ve achieved however has completely exceeded all expectations and now gives us an opportunity to completely refurbish and create a more dynamic and welcoming environment”.
Heather Caudle, Chief Nurse at ASPH said: “The amazing effort from our staff and our volunteers is testament to their commitment to making ASPH as welcoming a place as it possibly can be, especially during difficult times for many of the patients who come to our hospitals. The generosity of the patients is truly humbling and shows just how well thought of we are. Well done to everyone involved and a huge thank you to everyone who donated a prize for this worthwhile project”.