A CHARITY behind the campaign to bring life-saving cancer treatment to Swindon’s Great Western Hospital (GWH) has expressed its delight at NHS England’s decision to approve a new radiotherapy unit at the hospital.
Kevin McNamara, Trustee of the Brighter Futures charity, running the Radiotherapy Appeal, said: “This is fantastic news and means we’re a step closer to lifesaving radiotherapy treatment being available in Swindon.
“We now need local people, businesses and organisations to get behind Brighter Futures’ Radiotherapy Appeal. Together we’ve already raised £350,000 towards the £2.9m we need to pay for the equipment for the new service.
“Around 700 local cancer patients a year face the 70 mile round trip to Oxford each day for radiotherapy treatment, which usually lasts for four to seven weeks.
“Bringing cancer care closer to home will make a massive difference to so many local families.”
The fundraising target was helped along by a £25,000 donation made by the Malmesbury League of Friends last year and it is hoped the unit will be completed in 2017.
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