A former patient has donated over £10,000 to support patients with cancer undergoing pelvic radiotherapy treatment.
Pam Wickham surprised the radiotherapy department at The James Cook University Hospital with a brand-new bladder scanner machine to say thank you for the care she received whilst undergoing treatment in hospital.
This rare form of cancer means cells have spread from an unidentified primary site to other parts of the body.
In Pam’s case, the lymph nodes in her groin (inguinal lymph nodes) were impacted. Treatment in this case is a challenge because the original source is unknown.
Following thorough investigations, doctors believed Pam’s original cancer source to be somewhere in her pelvic organs.
It was during this time that Pam first experienced the bladder scanner machines.
To effectively treat her lymph nodes with radiation, Pam’s pelvic area had to be the same every single time, and in turn so did her bladder.
The bladder scanner machines were used to quickly assess Pam’s bladder volume prior to beginning treatment, avoiding the need for extra scans.
In January 2023, Pam successfully completed her treatment and finally got to ring the bell.
Giving back to others
Grateful for the care she received, Pam was determined to give back and to help others going through the same course of treatment.
She had witnessed the importance of the machines first-hand and knew how much the department would benefit from having an additional one.
She contacted Our Hospitals Charity, the fundraising arm of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to arrange the surprise donation.
Lisa Meehan, fundraising manager for Our Hospitals Charity said: “
Radiotherapy can be a long and challenging process for many but we always get so much wonderful feedback from patients who have been treated in the radiotherapy department.
“Staff are praised for always going above and beyond their duty of care and the patients often tell us about the special bonds they have formed whilst undergoing treatment.
“So, when Pam contacted us about making this amazing donation, we just knew we had to make it special. It was so important for Pam to give back to the place that had had helped her so much. “
Surprise donation
Pam and Lisa worked closely with radiotherapy service manager, Claire Huntley to ensure the donation was kept a surprise from staff working in the radiotherapy department for as long as possible.
On Thursday 7 August, Pam and her husband Mark turned up to the department with the new scanner, much to the surprise and shock of the staff who had cared for her.
They included radiographers Danielle Clydesdale, Ben Taylor, Apollonia Walsh and Megan Sharkey, advanced clinical practitioner Claire Powlesland, consultant clinical oncologist Darren Leaning and senior service manager for the James Cook Cancer Institute and speciality medicine services Julian Wenman.
Radiotherapy service manager, Claire Huntley said: “
On behalf of the department, we would like to extend our very grateful thanks to Pam and her husband for their generous donation and to Our Hospitals Charity for helping to plan such an incredible surprise for our staff.
It is extra special as Pam knows first-hand the impact this bladder scanner will have on the patient experience and the efficiency of the radiotherapy service.”
Pam will continue to be monitored at regular intervals at James Cook but for now, everything is going in the right direction.
She said: “The bladder scanner is just a small price to pay for all the wonderful care given to me by the wonderful staff at James Cook. I cannot thank them enough for always treating me as a person and not as a cancer.
Their professionalism and expertise have given me back my life.”