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Author: sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Newborns at Addenbrooke’s receive safer MRI scans thanks to generous donors

Posted on by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Generous funding has enabled the hospital to buy a ÂŁ316,000 special MRI incubator allowing premature babies and babies at high-risk of brain injury to be scanned sooner.

The Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust and a generous legacy to Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) from Ann Mynott have enabled the hospital to buy a £316,000 special MRI incubator allowing premature babies and babies at high-risk of brain injury to be scanned sooner.

Brain injury affects preterm and full-term babies with some going on to develop life-long neurological disabilities such as cerebral palsy and epilepsy. At present, babies born prematurely cannot be scanned in a standard MRI scanner, which has an effect on the decisions made surrounding their care. An early MRI could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment, and better long-term outcomes for babies affected by brain injury.

Previously, full-term babies were transported in their incubator to the MRI scanner in the Rosie Hospital and then transferred onto the MRI trolley before moving into the MRI scanner. This is challenging and time-consuming, particularly for critically ill infants. Although every effort is made to enable the baby to sleep through the scan (and hence keep still), the handling would often wake them up and result in poor quality images.

With the new MRI incubator the baby can be settled on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and then put straight into the MRI scanner without any further transfer or handling.

Not only does it make it far safer and quicker to scan the baby, the MRI incubator allows a wider range of babies to be scanned, better quality images and a reduced risk of hypothermia; delivering an all-round safer and less disruptive experience for vulnerable babies.

Professor Topun Austin, Consultant Neonatologist at Addenbrooke’s said: “The MRI incubator generously funded by the Jules Thorn Charitable Trust and ACT is only one of four such pieces of equipment in use in the UK. Transferring a newborn from the neonatal intensive care unit for an MRI scan is a challenging procedure. The incubator allows babies to be stabilised in the NICU prior to moving to the scanner, allowing both very pre-term and critically ill babies to be scanned safely. This enables us to diagnose babies at risk of brain injury at an earlier stage and monitor their response to neuroprotective treatments. The purchase of this incubator means that we are able to provide the best care to the smallest and sickest babies. It also opens up a new avenue of research possibilities with the ability to scan these babies.”

The Sir Jules Thorn Trust previously provided two dedicated neurocritical care cots and specialist brain scanning and monitoring equipment for the Rosie Maternity Hospital in 2014.

David Richings, Director of the Sir Jules Thorn Trust, said: “The Trust is delighted again to have been able to support the enormously important work of the Rosie Hospital in providing exceptional treatment for babies who are in need of special care.” Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust is raising funds to ensure that every child experiences the best possible outcome at Addenbrooke’s.

Addenbrooke’s cancer appeal launches to transform treatment for patients

Posted on by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust has launched its new cancer appeal to help provide the best patient experience and care for people with cancer at Addenbrooke’s.

Addenbrooke’s Hospital sees over 4,000 new patients a year who rely on its lifesaving cancer care. This amounts to 11 people at Addenbrooke’s facing a new cancer diagnosis every day. Such high demand for cancer services makes the charity’s work even more urgent. Funds raised through the appeal will ensure that people with cancer at Addenbrooke’s are treated in a comfortable and dignified environment, with the latest equipment and technology.

The hospital charity’s supporters have raised over ÂŁ4million in the last five years for cancer services at Addenbrooke’s, including a state-of-the-art surgical robot, research into personalised breast cancer treatment and diagnosis, and a modern, spacious Haematology Day Unit for people with blood cancers.

This incredible generosity from donors equates to real benefits for people living with cancer and has meant that 500 robotic surgery procedures have been carried out in the last year, around 460 people with breast cancer a year now experience improved treatments and waiting times thanks to a pioneering x-ray machine and 200 more people living with blood cancer a month can be seen thanks to the doubling of capacity of the Haematology Day Unit.

Gemma Downham, the charity’s Director of Fundraising, said: “People with cancer at Addenbrooke’s already receive the very best care from our staff, but we want to go a step further. With the help of our supporters we will be able to go above and beyond for people with cancer, translating the latest research into everyday hospital practice, providing counselling at a critical time in patients’ lives and funding the latest technologies so they receive the very best care possible. With charitable donations, the hospital staff can do more than the NHS budget allows.

“Just ÂŁ100 can pay for an exercise and rehabilitation session for ten people, helping to stop cancers coming back, ÂŁ1,000 can provide seven people with vital counselling through their cancer journey and ÂŁ250,000 will fund a new cancer scanner, transforming the diagnosis, treatment and recovery of people with head and neck cancers. Once again, we are counting on the generosity of Addenbrooke’s’ supporters to help us do more for cancer patients at the time they need it most.”

For more information about our cancer appeal please visit www.abigc.org or call 01223 217757.

Will YOU remember Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Your will?

Posted on by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Addenbrooke’s relies on the generosity of members of the public to help provide vital research, innovative equipment and specialist services. This generosity which transforms care for future generations, can come in the form of donations left in wills. However, many people don’t have a will because it is so easy to put off. This means loved ones may not know your wishes including your favourite charities. Thankfully, many grateful patients and their families do make a donation in their will to say thank you for care received

The kindest ‘thank you’
John Bigmore, 80, was diagnosed with prostate cancer six years ago. His illness spurred him into updating his will so that future patients can receive the same excellent level of care. He said: “I’m getting things ship-shape legally; sorting out my will. I’d already decided to leave a gift to the hospital, but I’m so grateful for how well the staff looked after me that I’ve decided to leave half of the amount specifically to clinic 4a.”

When Lucas Harvey-Bowman was six weeks old, he was diagnosed with a rare heart condition. “We were looked after extremely well. Lucas received outstanding care from the cardiology team, and here we are thriving today,” says his mum Jess. “To show our gratitude we are leaving a gift in our will to help support their valuable work. We cannot thank Addenbrooke’s enough.”

Kind-hearted family members like to show their gratitude for the care of their relatives by leaving donations in their wills as a tribute to their loved one. Dennis Wyatt did just this, helping to fund a new courtyard garden in the stroke unit to say thank you for the treatment his wife received. The garden gives patients and their families a much needed chance to spend time in a calm, relaxing place away from the busy ward environment. Dennis’ friend Pat said, “Dennis wanted to give something back. He would have been very impressed with what his gift helped to achieve.”

A donation in a will could even help unlock the secrets of many life-changing diseases. Frederick Pratt left a donation in his will, which funded research into Parkinson’s disease. Researcher Dr Caroline Williams-Gray said: ”This project investigates the role of the immune system in Parkinson’s disease. It is hoped this will help to guide development of new immune-based treatments to delay the onset of dementia, one of the most devastating aspects of this disease.”

Do something wonderful
There is no doubt that the impact of donations left in wills to Addenbrooke’s is huge, helping doctors, nurses and researchers realise ground-breaking achievements and transforming patients’ lives. Yet, while 35% of people say they would leave a gift to a charity in their will, only 7% actually do so.

Dennis’ gift provided an oasis of calm for future stroke patients while Frederick’s donation ensured the continuation of research into a terrible disease. What legacy would you want to leave?

Alice Macek, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust’s Gifts in Wills Manager said: “We are so grateful to people who support us by leaving a donation in their will. These gifts will leave a long lasting legacy across the hospital for patients in the future, whether benefiting specialist services, state-of-the-art equipment or research breakthroughs. With this generosity we can achieve so much”

To ask a question, request information about inheritance tax, or tell us your thoughts about leaving a donation in your will please call 01223 217757 or email hello@act4addenbrookes.org.uk.

Ashtons Legal in Cambridge are launching a Wills Year initiative where a donation for each will completed will be given to local charities. Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust is one of the chosen charities. For more information please contact the Lifetime Planning Team on 0330 4040773.