South of England

Teenage Cancer Trust’s South of England appeal was launched in July 2007.

About the appeal

The planned unit at Southampton General Hospital, built specifically for young cancer patients will be the first of its kind in the South of England. It will provide young people with some of the best cancer facilities in the country.

Over the next few years, a number of Teenage Cancer Trust facilities will be built at Southampton General Hospital as plans for the new Teenage Cancer Trust unit are finalised.

The specialist unit will provide teenagers with some of the best cancer facilities in the country, expected to improve survival rates and the best possible experience for young people during their cancer journey.

Young people from this highlighted area of the south will have the opportunity to be treated at the new Teenage Cancer Trust unit in Southampton.

Latest news

Thank you to Diane and Craig Hill and all of the friends of Jenna who supported the ‘Fun Day’ at Gang Warily Recreation Centre on Saturday 2nd May and other fundraising activities to raise a magnificent £13,312.00.

The ‘Fun Day’ in memory of Jenna Hill included an over 60’s football match involving many of the New Forest villagers. The day also included a raffle with fantastic prizes, bouncy castle, bungee run, chocolate tombola, beat the goalie and face painting and a great day was had by all.

Jenna was passionate about helping Teenage Cancer Trust to fundraise for a new unit at Southampton General Hospital before she lost her battle with cancer and all of the proceeds from the ‘Fun Day’ and other donations collected by Diane and Craig will go towards this new unit.

We are very grateful to the Hill family and everyone that is supporting Jenna’s dream to make the Teenage Cancer Trust unit a reality.

Helping young people in the South of England fight cancer

Katie

Aged 23 at diagnosis

Loves Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, sunshine and the zoo. Hates the time you waste during cancer treatment. Wants a Teenage Cancer Trust unit with a kettle, a toaster and windows you can open.

Simon

Aged 23 at diagnosis

Likes cars, boats, bikes, punk music and chocolate. Hates tragic james, washing up and the pain cancer causes. Wants a Teenage Cancer Trust unit with a big TV.

Nicholas, 18, Southampton

Aged 15 at diagnosis Loves his family, fish and chips and Chelsea. Hates thoughtlessness, rudeness and radiotherapy. Wants a place to stay with people who understand what he’s going through.

“Following a year of severe headaches, feeling unwell and checkups by my G.P (doctor) I then went to my opticians who made an immediate appointment for me at Southampton General Hospital. It was discovered that I had a Low Grade Astracytoma (Brain Tumour and Severe Fluid) in my head.

I was admitted into hospital to await surgery and as I was 15 and not yet an adult I went into the Children’s Neurological ward, where I was very well cared for by the staff but was the only teenager, everyone else on the ward was either very young or babies.

In May 2007 it was decided I needed a second surgery. I was again admitted to the children’s neurology ward. On this occasion I met a lovely girl called Charlotte who was in my age group and became a very special friend. We were able to support and help each other, which helped us both so much. I also had a daily seven week course of radio therapy which was very tough, but helped by being with a great friend. Sadly Charlotte lost her fight for life on April 21st 2008.

This experience has been tough and some days difficult to deal with. Although I always try to stay positive the support of other young people who understand what this experience is like would make things less frightening and easier to get through.

To have a Teenage Cancer Unit would be wonderful, so that we could share experiences and support each other during a difficult time for patients and their families.”