Summer 2021 Newsletter

teambeatson Team Beatson Summer Newsletter 2021

Look inside for latest news, essential info & support.

beatsoncancercharity.org

charity update As the weather gets sunnier and the future looks brighter following a year of uncertainty, we are delighted to share with you our Summer Newsletter.

Over the past year we have adapted our services to ensure that each person we support receives the care, love and hope that they deserve at this time.

We could not have done this without you. We want to send a message to each of our volunteers, supporters and staff who have continued to be with us throughout 2021 and would like to say we are beyond grateful and lucky to have such passionate supporters.

So please, grab a cuppa and enjoy catching up on everything “Beatson Cancer Charity”.

We are extremely thankful for your support which allows us to continue making valuable investments that have led to important discoveries within research and advancements in treatments. To everyone affected by cancer we say, “We’re with you,” and in 2021, thank you for being with us.

Team Beatson

get in touch Switchboard

contents 1

Welcome

2

MRI Appeal Update

fundraising@beatsoncancercharity.org

3

Latest News

Befriending Service

4

5

Lockdown Roundup

6

7

Online Shop

8

9

Service Update

0141 212 0505

Fundraising Team

befriending@ beatsoncancercharity.org

SHAWS

healthandworkservice@ beatsoncancercharity.org

10

Get Involved

info@beatsoncancercharity.org 0141 301 7439

11

Community Fundraising

www.beatsoncancercharity.org

12

Corporate Roundup

13

Upcoming Events

The Wellbeing Centre

welcome

Martin Cawley CEO Beatson Cancer Charity

my light Please take a look at our My Light section which we are currently updating with lots of new helpful information. This safe space was funded and inspired by the McHugh family to celebrate their daughter Eilidh McHugh, who tragically passed away from a rare cancer aged 22. Eilidh’s memory lives on and her determination to help others endures. Eilidh’s name means “Light” and her light is her legacy.

It was Charles Handy who said that ‘life is better understood backwards, it’s just a pity you need to live it forwards.’ That has never felt more relevant to me than when reflecting on the last year, personally and professionally.

For people with cancer the risk of exposure to the coronavirus brings additional anxieties and uncertainty. These challenges have not deterred us from innovating in lots of ways; not just in delivering supports to people but also in the ways we communicate as teams, the way we raise funds and the development of our systems and processes.

We all need support at different times in our lives. In order to help people build up their own reservoir of resilience it has been important to deliver support in creative and imaginative ways, through online digital sessions, group work programmes or telephone calls.

It has never been more important to make sure people know others are still there for them.

If there is one thing that never fails to amaze me about my colleagues and those who support Beatson Cancer Charity, it is their commitment to the values and principles that underpin the organisation.

Change is here to stay.

Tailored with each unique visitor in mind, we are working on developing a host of resources to be added to this section. This includes podcasts, videos covering a range of topics and online downloadable leaflets.

We want to ensure that all our information is accessible and right at your fingertips.

1

mri appeal update Beatson Cancer Charity and The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre have plans to install a brand new, life-changing MRI scanner to the Radiotherapy Department in autumn this year.

We are relying on the generosity of our supporters to raise £100,000 to complete the appeal.

did you know

this MRI Scanner will help to improve outcomes for 20,000 people living with cancer, in the next 10 years

This MRI Scanner is the first of its kind in Scotland and allows clinicians to view and analyse cancer tumours at a whole new level, improving quality of life with and beyond cancer.

You can play a vital part in improving the lives of cancer patients, right here in our local community, by donating today.

This spring, we asked our local community to #SeeTheDifference,

by Turning it Yellow and joining our MRI Appeal. Support ranged from logistics firm Green Fulfilment (below) to offices, nurseries and bakeries who helped raise money for our MRI appeal by wearing their most extravagant shades of yellow for the day.

2

donate here

www.beatsoncancercharity.org

latest

news research and grants programme Despite the challenges presented by Covid-19, Beatson Cancer Charity has continued to fund several vital research projects, wellbeing developments and specialist staff posts throughout the past year. We are proud to have invested over £1.1 million into a variety of services to enhance the experience, treatment, outcomes and wellbeing of cancer patients and their families in partnership with The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.

meet dr rob rulach As part of his Beatson Cancer Charity funded PhD research project, Dr Rob Rulach and colleagues undertook a large survey in the international practice of re-irradiation for non-small cell lung cancer.

Beatson Cancer Charity provided Dr Rulach with a grant for changing the status of the paper to an open access article which will enable researchers, clinicians and students around the world to view and download the full paper for free. The paper will help to improve the safety of re-irradiation by standardising this treatment for current lung cancer patients in The Beatson and abroad.

Check out the following webpage for a full list of our projects

www.beatsoncancercharity.org/grants-and-funding

3

lockdown

roundup

During the past year, we have adapted and reacted to the uncertainty that we all faced. We continued to provide support and be there for those who support us and use our services.

online events

volunteering Volunteers are integral to how our charity functions and they support everything we do. They have been wonderful throughout the pandemic helping in the hospital and our office in so many new and different ways. We introduced our new ‘Give and Go’ service where volunteers helped deliver hundreds of bags and carepacks to patients in the wards.

We had a fantastic time organising and setting up our virtual events. These events have had an amazing response and were a great way to still put on an entertaining evening Beatson-style!

We held our Beatson Blether with Helen Fielding as a special guest and Kaye Adams hosting. As always Kaye provided plenty of laughter and Helen was a great guest. This event raised just over £2,000!

Our Beatson Banter Series also has been a wonderful addition to our after-work activities. These have been brilliant opportunities to ask sporting legends any questions about their career or field of expertise. They have also made us laugh out loud. In total, the Beatson Banter events have raised just under £40,000. What a great amount for our first lockdown virtual events!

Look out in Autumn for future Beatson Banter dates.

Their help was a real lifeline offering friendly chat and some comfort to loved ones who are missing their family and unable to visit. As well as clothing and personal belongings, our volunteers delivered a range of drinks, ice lollies, hot food and other essentials. We really miss our volunteers who have had to stay at home and can’t wait till we can welcome everyone back.

birthday Happy Birthday to us! 27 February marked Beatson Cancer Charity’s 7th anniversary!

Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last 7 years, and shared their memories with us. We are an ambitious charity and can’t wait to make many more!

bauble

2020 Did you know, our 2020 Bauble campaign raised a wonderful £80k.

Thank you to everyone who donated and supported us.

You can be there for people as they face cancer in years to come, ensuring they receive the best treatment and support, by leaving a gift in your will. Find out more about this extra special gift, please email Kirsty.emmerson@ beatsoncancercharity.org or call 0141 212 0505

the stayin inn’ At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Beatson Cancer Charity supporter Andy Dunlop created The Stayin Inn’ - a virtual entertainment platform. Since then, with the support of many generous participants, Andy has raised a fantastic £50k and counting for people affected by cancer. Thank you Andy!

5

online

shop DISCOVER OUR NEW RANGE OF PRODUCTS

whisky auction

Plans are in motion to announce a further online Whisky Auction fundraiser, taking place from 16-20 September. In partnership with WhiskyAuctioneer.com, there shall be collectable, specialist bottles, distillery tours and virtual tastings on offer. Look out for further announcements soon.

If you are interested in gifting a bottle or would like to be involved, then please contact susan.brodie@beatsoncancercharity.org

Following the launch of our very own Beatson Cancer Charity Tartan in 2020, we have expanded our much-loved range. From facemasks to keepsakes, we have a huge variety of beautiful products available to purchase. Visit the online shop: shop.beatsoncancercharity.org

thank you!

Thank you to the Scottish Business’ that have helped us expand our range of products including LT Creations who have produced our Tartan Heart Keepsakes, Care Love and Hope Coasters and our lovely Candle Holders! (pictured)

6

Are you or someone you know getting married this year?

Why not wear our famous Beatson Tartan, or hand out some yellow heart pin badges as favours! Get in touch with trading@beatsoncancercharity.org

www.beatsoncancercharity.org

beatson café After temporary closure due to lockdown restrictions, The Beatson Café has now reopened. We are delighted to be serving a new range of freshly made sandwiches, paninis and hot rolls. Beatson Cancer Charity staff and volunteers utilised their time off to complete their Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Catering course, as a refresher of their fantastic culinary skills.

bella’s bites

summer scones A much-loved treat here in The Beatson Cafe during the summer months.

Preheat your oven to 200c/Gas 6 and you are ready to bake.

INGREDIENTS:

Café Staff Maxine and Tricia with their Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Catering Certificates

• 450g plain flour, plus extra for dusting • 25g caster sugar • 2tsp bicarbonate of soda • 80g cold butter, diced • 2 eggs, beaten • 200ml buttermilk (or mix 100ml yoghurt with 100ml full-fat milk)

METHOD:

remember!

You can visit our café at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Level 0, Tom Wheldon building Monday – Friday 9am till 3pm

• Place the flour in a large mixing bowl and mix in the sugar, bicarb, and a good pinch of salt. Rub the chilled butter into the flour with your fingertips until the texture resembles breadcrumbs.

• Add the beaten eggs and buttermilk and stir in with a fork until a rough dough is formed. Turn out on to a floured surface and gently knead it until it comes together. • Roll the dough out to 2.5cm thick and stamp out circles using a 7.5cm cookie cutter. • Transfer the scones to a non-stick baking tray and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool before serving with strawberry jam and the clotted cream.

7

service

update wellbeing Delivering support to cancer patients and families has been something that we have needed to adapt significantly. We are delighted that we have been able to continue to offer some essential support services – all be it in a very reduced manner to patients throughout this uncertain time.

Our Wig Fitting service was able to reopen from late summer 2020 in compliance with Covid-19 guidelines.

The team see a reduced number of patients each day to allow longer time between patients for increased cleaning time. We have restarted Podiatry services to inpatients within The Beatson providing vital foot-care and treatment to patients actively going through treatment.

We are delighted to have launched virtual one-to-one sessions for Mindfulness, Relaxation and Reiki to support patients and families feeling anxious, stressed and lonely. Our Welcome Desk service is also back up running at the main entrance to the hospital, providing a warm welcome, reassurance and information for all attending The Beatson.

8

services 1-2-1 Virtual Appointments Our virtual one-to-one relaxation sessions with the Wellbeing team are available to all patients and families.

These sessions aim to help reduce anxiety and stress by teaching simple techniques to promote wellbeing.

Interested in booking? To find out more please email wellbeingreferrals@beatsoncancercharity.org.

Please do share this with anyone who you think may benefit from the service.

satellite locations Therapy Services at Lanarkshire Beatson has returned 3 days a week.

We have also relaunched therapies in Clinic P at the New Victoria Hospital, 3 days a week.

We are delighted to announce our Podiatry and Complementary Therapy Service in the Haematology and Oncology Day Unit at the Vale of Leven Hospital will resume for patients attending the clinic. Sessions will be available every Wednesday from 11 am - 3 pm.

Our Podiatry and Complementary Therapy Service will also resume at the Vale of Leven Health Centre on Friday 30th April 2021. Appointments will be available every Friday from 9 am - 4 pm.

Please check website for updates to all our services.

www.beatsoncancercharity.org

meet katie I’m Katie Paterson and I’m 8 years old. In December, after 2 weeks of being really sick and having a sore head, I was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma Brain Cancer. I’m currently getting chemotherapy treatment to make me better.

The doctors and nurses at The Beatson have been really nice to me and they organised a special Disney Princess Party for me in the hospital on my birthday. They really help my mummy and daddy too, I know it’s hard for them.

I wanted to say thank you to The Beatson for helping me, so my friends at Hamilton Operatic Dramatic Club have been fundraising with me to raise lots of money for Beatson Cancer Charity.

In March, we walked over 200 miles and raised over £5,000 for Beatson Cancer Charity so that they can help more people like me who have cancer.

I’m really thankful for all my friends help.

Everyone here at Beatson Cancer Charity are so proud of you Katie, and extremely grateful for your generosity through such challenging times.

We feel privileged that you are such a special part of #TeamBeatson!

with your help Over the last few months, we have invested in two vital pieces of equipment which will make a massive difference to patients and working practices for staff at The Beatson West of Scotland Centre.

• Electric recliner chair for gynaecology patients on ward B5 • Recording and transcription equipment to gather patient feedback for research We also continue to provide vital nursing support to the Beatson’s Clinical Trials Unit, maintaining two research nursing positions, which will be funded for an additional 12 months. Both research nurses will support new and existing clinical and treatment trials.

The funding will also enable the Clinical Trials Unit to continue providing patients with a named nurse who will support them and their families during their clinical trial journey.

9

get involved volunteering update beatson befriending At the start of the first lockdown, we launched our Beatson Befriending telephone service. We wanted to continue to support people who have been impacted by cancer who would be feeling isolated or lonely. Shielding and being stuck at home meant that lots of patients and their loved ones were missing out on emotional support.

We are immensely proud of the service as we have been able to reach people, to extend the hand of friendship, offer weekly calls, conversation and a bit of comfort.

With the support from our wonderful Beatson Volunteers, we are now expanding the service. If you have been impacted by the pandemic and would be interested in being matched up to one of our Befrienders for a chat, please do get in touch. As you can see from the comments alongside, a bit of friendship and companionship can really make a difference.

As with everything we do, The Beatson Befriending Service has care, love and hope at its heart.

For more information call us on 0141 212 0505 or email: befriending@beatsoncancercharity.org 10

We have patients as well as their loved ones enjoying the befriending:

“my wife is always so much brighter after her call with her befriender and for that, i am so grateful”. “my befriender has told me about the other services available to me. i love to chat and never miss my weekly call. befriending calls have been absolutely brilliant for me”. www.beatsoncancercharity.org

community fundraising round-up

team gorls

We have been amazed at how everyone has rallied round and continued to fundraise – helping us provide support and services.

Along with another 190 Beatson Cancer Charity supporters, walked the 23 Mile Kiltwalk in April.

Over £104,000 has been raised

kevin bryers

Has organised a Charity Football Match for July

lewis andrew

And friends have run 150km, challenged 4 Munros and are staying sober for the month of October

stephanie donnelly Has walked over 250km so far this year, with her dog Keto!

holly smith

Brave Holly Smith completed her first bungee jump in May at Riverside Museum in Glasgow

11

corporate

round-up

As always, our Corporate partners have continued to amaze us with their fundraising efforts. Whilst many working environments have changed significantly, our business partnerships, large and small, have remained key supporters of #TeamBeatson. We are so thankful for their support.

cvd fire protection

introducing beat 6

CVD Fire Protection will have accomplished 20 years in business in April 2022. The Lanark branch will be raising funds for us throughout the next year in the build up to this milestone.

Restaurateur Nico Simeone, his wife Valentina, and their family wanted to help Beatson Cancer Charity help others in the same way it helped them. New restaurant, Beat 6 will be opening up late summer in Dennistoun with profits coming directly to the charity. This honours the 6th anniversary of Valentina’s diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

laurie ross insurance The customers of the Partick and Shettleston branches have, for a second year running, selected Beatson Cancer Charity as their charity of the year.

tesco bank The team at Tesco Bank have have raised over £110,000 for Beatson Cancer Charity in the past 3 years!

12

‘The Beatson is the reason I have my wife and three children with me today. We are eternally grateful for all they have done and continue to do” Nico Simeone Martin Cawley, CEO, is thrilled with this new venture saying ‘We are excited to be part of BEAT 6 and we hope it shall bring many opportunities for Beatson Cancer Charity.’

Look out for further details soon.

www.beatsoncancercharity.org

upcoming events and dates for the diary ball buster corporate skydive 4 SEPT 2021

firewalk 17 SEPT 2021

paw walk 20 – 26 SEPT 2021

belle event 4 DECEMBER 2021

Remember to enter our Summer Raffle, sponsored by Fairmont St Andrews

did you know?

You can now fundraise via our Facebook page.

if you would like a collection can get in touch via www.beatsoncancercharity.org or call us on 0141 212 0505

13

thank you for being with us

#teambeatson

enews sign up!

Want to get the latest Beatson Cancer Charity news, events and offers from our online shop?

Sign up and receive our regular Enews, delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up now: beatsoncancercharity.org/enews

beatson cancer charity The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre 1053 Great Western Road Glasgow, G12 OYN 0141 212 0505 | info@beatsoncancercharity.org | www.beatsoncancercharity.org

do you follow us on social media? beatsoncancercharity

@beatson_charity

beatson-cancer-charity

Charity No. SC461242 (Scotland SC044442) | VAT No. 274839460 | Registered at Companies House, Edinburgh Registered office: The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0YN

beatsoncharity