14k Raised in Breast Cancer Awareness Month for Ystrad Mynach New Breast Care Unit
Over £14,000 was raised as part of the "Turn Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) Pink "campaign in Breast Cancer Awareness month.
On Friday, October 16th & 23rd, ABUHB staff, businesses, schools, and towns took part in #TurnABUHBPink. The campaign aims to raise much needed funds for the proposed New Breast Care Unit at Ysbuty Ystrad Fawr Hospital, in Ystrad Mynach. Plans for the new Breast Unit have already been drawn up with building work expected to start next year.
The Friends of ABUHB Breast Unit are a voluntary group that has been set up to help the Health Board raise additional funds to ensure breast care patients have a comfortable waiting room with counselling rooms that provide a sensitive design and décor to create a calm, light and dignified environment. The unit will support over 5000 local women, and the small number of men the team see each year. Carolyn Jenkins is a recovering breast cancer patient and a member of the group. She said "The dedicated unit will help change the experience of patients by providing a less daunting and private space. It will provide much needed areas for patients and their families to come to terms with their diagnosis. It’s inspiring to see everybody’s efforts in supporting our campaign."
The fundraising kick-started by a donation of £750 from Blackwood Rugby Club, with Blackwood Miners Institute turning pink. Meanwhile, Blackwood Tidal Furniture store owner Beverley Edwards rallied all the traders in Blackwood Town to decorate their shop fronts pink and raised funds through a collection point raising £450.
Local Hengoed resident Maldwyn Griffiths has raised an incredible £3,000 by walking virtually around the Welsh Coast and by incorporating local walks topping the total miles to 1000. Quickstep fitness Caerphilly held a social distanced event and schools in Ystrad Mynach and Cefn Fforest, raised funds for the new breast care unit by holding non uniform days. Finally staff within departments in the hospital wore pink into work and gave generously.
Emma Wilkins, fundraising manager for breast services at ABUHB, said:
"Thank you to everyone that has fundraised and donated to make this possible, it was a real community effort. However the campaign is not over. It’s been a difficult year with COVID restrictions having a direct effect on how we can continue to raise funds to support our NHS. The number of people continually getting involved in the local community raising money in innovative tireless sometimes virtual ways for our new breast unit makes you realise just how amazing people are. We kindly ask that the community continue to get behind the breast unit appeal campaign so that we can make the unit something truly special that will support local NHS patients.
We really need your help anyone interested in fundraising for the breast unit can contact Ms Wilkins on 07849144995 or email Emma.wilkins5@wales.nhs.uk.
