Member Article

Breast cancer patients’ fundraising calendar goes on sale

A fundraising calendar featuring 40 breast cancer patients from Spire Washington Hospital is now on sale.

The 2016 calendar features 39 women and one man who were treated for the disease at Spire Washington and are part of the hospital’s busy breast cancer support group.

They stripped off for a fun Calendar Girls-style photo shoot to raise awareness of the disease and money for local charities and groups that work with breast cancer patients.

The hospital is also organising activities during a Pink Day on 8 October as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, including an information stand in reception and a tombola raising additional cash for the cause.

The idea for the calendar came from a member of staff at Spire Washington and members of the breast cancer support group jumped at the chance to get involved, including Carol McGlinchey from Hetton le Hole.

Carol, who owns Peppercorn Coffee Shop in Houghton le Spring, is pictured posing on a scanner wearing a pair of bright pink stilettos and a statement necklace.

She said: “It was fun from beginning to end. I totally enjoyed the whole thing and it was a brilliant, brilliant day. To have such an experience with people going through the same journey as you is awesome.

“It’s amazing that Spire Washington Hospital wanted to do such a great project. It’s a pleasure to help raise awareness of breast cancer and to work with the people who’ve provided such wonderful care and support along the way.”

The calendars are on sale for £5 and can be purchased via Paypal at www.spirewashington.com. Visitors to the Pink Day event at Spire Washington will also be able to buy calendars in person.

All the costs of producing the calendar are being met by the hospital. Money raised will be divided between the Women’s Cancer Detection Society in Gateshead, St Benedict’s Hospice, and Spire Washington Hospital’s breast cancer support group.

Amanda Pinkerton, a breast care specialist nurse who works with the support group, said: “Everyone had a fantastic time putting together the calendar, and their great spirit really shines through in the pictures.

“We loved getting involved in the project, which will raise much-need funds for local groups helping breast cancer sufferers here in the North East.”

Spire Washington Hospital is part of the Spire Healthcare group, which operates 39 private hospitals around the UK plus a specialist cancer centre in Bristol. The group was named Hospital Group of the Year for the second consecutive year in 2015 in the HealthInvestor Awards.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Astute.Work .