Our amazing mum was diagnosed with cancer in January and started chemotherapy in march. She had 6 rounds of intensive chemotherapy and a hysterectomy in July. Although she fought hard, never gave up and always had a smile on her face sadly she passed away on Friday 23rd September.
It was her wish that there will be no flowers at her funeral and wanted any money to be donated to The Keyhole Cancer Appeal who aim to raise £600,000 for the provision of a new state-of-the-art laparoscopic (keyhole surgery) theatre suite at Southend University Hospital.
This will enable surgeons to perform the latest and most complex keyhole procedures for patients undergoing cancer and general surgery. At the heart of the new theatre will be some of the most advanced camera systems in Europe, which deliver extremely high quality 3D images.
Hundreds of Southend patients are likely to benefit each year. They include people suffering with bowel and prostate cancer or gynecological conditions. Many of these patients would have previously had to have 'open' surgery' which would have meant longer hospital stays and recovery times and greater post-operative pain and scarring.
Mr. Mike Dworkin, speaking on behalf of the surgeons at Southend University Hospital said: "The new operating theatre will deliver high resolution 3D images allowing us to see and identify anatomical structures more easily and perform the most complex keyhole procedures. For the first time all the systems in the operating theatre will be under the central control of touch panels and the new equipment will be free of pipes, tubes and wiring. We will also be able to bring digital x-rays and body scans to the screens and to record or film the operation for the benefit of patient records. It also means the surgeon can use the two-way video conferencing function to dramatically enhance the teaching process. We really are incredibly grateful to Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation for launching this appeal which we know will make a significant difference to the patients we treat".
Any donations would be greatly appreciated.