One last fundraising push for new Chesterfield cancer centre

The finishing touches are being made to The NGS (National Garden Scheme) Macmillan Unit which is set to open this summer.

A Derbyshire Times-backed fundraising campaign has raised £2.3m of the £2.5m Macmillan Cancer Support has committed to the project.

One of the patients who is looking forward to the opening, Dawn Cartlidge, 59, of Bolsover, said: “I think the new centre will be really good for this area.

“Having all of the cancer services available under one roof will make visiting the hospital a more convenient experience for patients.”

As well as 21 chemotherapy chairs, two treatment beds and three treatment rooms, users will be able to access specialist information and advice, complementary therapies and counselling.

The interior fixtures and fittings are now being installed which will provide vital treatment, care and support in the state-of-the-art centre.

In 2014, mother-of-three, Dawn, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Since her diagnosis, Dawn has received regular treatment at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

Dawn explained: “When I was first diagnosed, I was very scared but Angela, a Macmillan haematology specialist nurse, had all the information ready for me which was really reassuring.

“I currently receive my treatment in the haematology unit. There is not a lot of room in the current unit so it can become quite crowded and claustrophobic at times. The staff do amazingly well given the space they currently have.”

“Like many people who are currently treated at Chesterfield Royal, I am really looking forward to the opening of the unit.”

The NGS Macmillan Unit is the first of its kind for Chesterfield and gets its name following a £1.5m donation from the NGS, along with other Macmillan supporters who have raised vital funds for the building.

The centre had been due to open last autumn but the project has overrun due to a number of challenges.

A spokesman for Chesterfield Royal Hospital said: “Although the delay is disappointing for everyone, it’s important to get the high-quality specification and finish absolutely right for when patients walk through the door.

“And it means we can continue to work with supporters on a final push to reach our fundraising target.”

To start fundraising, go to www.macmillanbuilds.com.