The Big Space Cancer Appeal-
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About our charity and what we stand for
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How the Big Space Cancer Appeal will make a difference for local patients
Our appeal looks to create a new cancer centre that will offer local patients the very best environment for treatment, healing and recovery.
Anoushka knows just how important a warm and welcoming space can be when you are patient in the Oncology Centre.
The mum-of-two was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in October 2021 following routine surgery but despite treatment in December that same year, she received the devastating news that her cancer was incurable.
“I thought even with my cancer diagnosis I was going to live till I was 98. I was at a routine oncology appointment in Cheltenham where I had left my husband and kids waiting in the car outside when I was told a new drug they wanted to put me on could prolong my life, not cure me of cancer,” she said.
“I asked if I would grow old, they said no. I asked if I would see my children grow up, they said no. Despite how wonderful my oncologist was at the time, the room we were in had no natural light, no warmth, it felt very beige, sterile and unwelcoming. I was absolutely devastated, but there was no time and nowhere calm for me to go to digest the news and gather myself together before going out to see my family.”
“I just felt in a daze and also felt lost trying to navigate my way out of the hospital and past busy waiting areas. There was nowhere to catch my breath.”
Anoushka said while nothing can change what patients may have to go through, the hospital environment where people receive treatment and come for important appointments can make a big difference to someone’s wellbeing.
“The environment in the Oncology Centre felt unloved, so it made me feel a little unloved. It felt clinical and while the staff are amazing and are so supportive and caring, the space itself felt very uncaring,” she said.
“Having this new space will make such a difference for patients and staff. It will be a light and bright space that helps people breath and gives a sense of reassurance to those going through treatment. It will be a space that can give people hope, a space that hugs you, that makes you feel special and looked after - for everyone who walks through the door.”
Our new cancer care centre will be bigger, better and brighter. This brand-new, cutting-edge care facility will be a warm, welcoming space that will help the treatment and healing of all who come here.
Almost £8.5m has already been raised towards the project thanks to donations from individuals and businesses as well as NHS funding. Now, we are asking the Gloucestershire community to come together to help raise the remaining £9m needed to fund both the new build and transformation of existing facilities.
We want to transform cancer care in Gloucestershire. If you would like to support the appeal, please visit our donation page.
Making hospital life better
