A hospital chaplain and a couple celebrating their golden wedding anniversary have made it a Merry Christmas for a cancer unit close to their hearts after making significant donations.
Margaret McLachlan is a chaplain who has worked for Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, which covers Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospitals, for eight years. Her husband Duncan underwent chemotherapy as an outpatient on Ward 19 at Heartlands last year after being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.
Sadly he lost his battle following a short illness in September this year and at his funeral Margaret asked for donations to be made to Ward 19 instead of flowers as a mark of her gratitude for the care her husband had received.
Meanwhile a colleague of Margaret’s, John Birkett, a volunteer in the chaplaincy department at the Trust, decided with his wife Margaret that instead of receiving presents for their 50th wedding anniversary they would ask for donations to Ward 19 in support of his colleague and because of their own experience of the unit.
Margaret Birkett said: “When you arrive at our age you don’t fancy receiving presents anymore. I was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago and I had to undertake a cycle of chemotherapy on Ward 19.
“While I was there I could see what an amazing job they do for the patients and therefore I wanted to give something back.”
A combined donation of £1,800 was presented to Ward 19 and the money will go towards the expansion of the ‘chemotherapy at home’ service run by the unit.
Kathy Holder, sister on Ward 19, said: “The chemotherapy at home service involves a specialist nurse going to the home of patients with blood cancer conditions or reduced mobility to deliver chemotherapy directly at their address, without the need for them to come to the hospital.
“It is a really wonderful gesture by both Margaret and the Birkett’s to think of the unit and their generous donation will help tremendously towards our target.”
The Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust Charity supports the patients and staff at Solihull, Good Hope and Heartlands Hospitals as well as the Birmingham Chest Clinic.
For more information on the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust Charity, to get involved in fundraising or to make a donation to a hospital, ward or appeal, please visit www.heartofenglandcharity.org.uk
