Cancer centre's age balloons

Staff, patients and relatives have released 50 balloons to celebrate the first anniversary of the Cancer Centre. The Cancer Centre opened in July 2009 with the first patient being treated in the Radiotherapy Department on Tuesday 30 June 2009. A series of birthday celebrations began in Radiotherapy with choirs from two local primary schools performing to patients throughout the Cancer Centre.

Julia Goodall, deputy manager of Radiotherapy, welcomed 100 staff and patients past and present to an opening evening. She said: "During the day members from local cancer groups came in to talk to patients alongside the choirs from St John's Church of England Primary School and Clarice Cliff Primary School. Our staff contacted local businesses who supported our raffle and tombola to raise funds for the department whilst others made cakes for their colleagues, patients and visitors. All the staff in radiotherapy really pulled together to make the day very special there was a gift for each patient who attended the department that day."

The celebrations continued on Tuesday 13 July 2010 to mark the opening of Wards 201 and 202. The balloon release took place during a special service held by the Trust's chaplains. Sister Sue Taylor organised the service, along with a visit from Bursley County Primary School. Sue said: "It was fantastic to see the children singing in the Cancer Centre. The patients really loved it and I saw one or two singing along while they were having their treatments. The balloon release was very special. I think it's important to not only celebrate the Cancer Centre and all it has done for patients but to remember those patients we sadly lost this year, including Dot Griffiths who battled so hard."

A buffet and birthday cake was made for the staff and special guests, including local artist 'Aitch', whose work now adorns many of the walls as part of the art scheme being developed by the Cancer Centre. He said: "I feel privileged to have my work on show here. I wanted them to be uplifting but calming at the same time."