Member Article

Cancer survivor from Rugby champions work of new health and wellness centre

A cancer survivor from Rugby who went from having a five per cent chance of survival to cycling thousands of miles for charity, is championing the work of a new centre of clinical and sporting excellence in Warwickshire.

James Golding joined morethan 80 guests, including high-profile figures from the world of sport and medicine, at the opening of Core Health and Wellness at Hatton Technology Park on the Hatton Estate near Warwick.

The centre was established by husband and wife team Stefaan and Angela Vossen together with Arabella Arkwright, who owns the Hatton Estate, with her husband Johnnie Arkwright.

It is the first fully integrated health care facility of its kind in the UK and brings together a team of world-class clinicians and practitioners from a wide range of specialities under one roof to achieve the best possible healthcare for individuals, families and professional athletes from the UK and abroad.

David Sheepshanks CBE, who masterminded the creation of the FA’s St George’s Park attended as an advocate for the centre together with former British Lions and Leicester Tigers full-back Tim Stimpson.

Sheepshanks said: “Having being chairman at St George’s Park for the last seven years I know what goes into preparing a centre such as Core Health and Wellness and when I look at what is being achieved, it’s quite extraordinary.

“The fact that the centre has clinicians such as Jean-Pierre Meersseman, whose work with AC Milan FC has set the standard in sports medicine, together with all of the many other brilliant practitioners, working together, means that we are witnessing the opening of a world-class and world-leading facility right in the heart of Warwickshire.”

Thirty-four-year-old James Golding also delivered a moving speech about how the treatment has helped him to recover after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2008.

“Stefaan started to provide my treatment around six years ago. I was in a pretty bad way and thought it might be muscular pain but my symptoms didn’t match the problems I was having,” he said.

“In November 2008, I was diagnosed with an 11-and-a-half inch tumour wedged between my spine, kidney and bowel and Stefaan and the team around him have played an integral part in my recovery process and helping me to learn how to walk again.”

During the event, guests were also given a tour of the recently restored 2,000 sq ft three-storey Georgian building which includes eight treatment rooms.

Stefaan Vossen, clinical director, added: “The opening event was a huge success with patients and supporters coming together to view the fantastic new facilities we have installed at the clinic.

“We have a collection of 32 of the finest clinicians and support staff who are dedicated to delivering the best possible health care to achieve the best possible results.

“They are committed to ensuring that the future of healthcare is one where our patients are central – where their time and priorities are respected.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .