West Midlands

We are developing a number of specialist facilities in the West Midlands.

About the appeal

Teenage Cancer Trust is developing a new unit in the West Midlands at Birmingham Orthopaedic hospital which will treat teenagers and young people from across the region and the north, providing some of the best facilities and options in the country:

These will compliment the current Teenage Cancer Trust unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Birmingham Childrens Hospital which between them care for teenagers and young people up to the age of 24.

Dr David Hobin, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist, Birmingham Children's Hospital

“We are delighted that through Teenage Cancer Trust, we have the opportunity to make a positive difference to teenagers experiencing the challenge of cancer treatment. It is vital we meet the more specific needs of our teenagers and young people to aid their recovery during an already difficult time in their young lives.”

We will also be enhancing a current ward and providing a recreational area at Birmingham’s Royal Orthopaedic Hospital for young people with bone related cancer.

In addition, Teenage Cancer Trust will provide a Family Support Network for parents and siblings affected by cancer, and an education team which will visit local schools to educate students and pupils about healthy living and cancer awareness. A Youth Support Coordinator will ensure that teenagers continue to carry on with their lives, taking trips out and having fun whilst on their cancer journeys.

A number of specialist positions have already been created including a Specialist Teenage Oncology Lead Nurse and Programme Manager. Together, the team will pool knowledge to create a body of expertise that’s second to none. The Lead Nurse will provide clinical care, develop research, deliver professional education and ensure that standards remain as high as possible.

Harry Potter stars open unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Harry Potter stars James and Oliver Phelps officially opened our new state-of-the-art unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The twins, from Sutton Coldfield, are best known for playing Fred and George Weasley, in the Harry Potter film series.

The £370,000 unit opened to patients earlier this year and will provide care for 16 to 24 year olds with cancer from across the West Midlands. It replaces our unit at the old Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and complements existing units at Birmingham Children’s and Royal Orthopaedic Hospitals. Young people diagnosed with cancer in the West Midlands now have a choice of where they receive their care, and have the opportunity to access a comprehensive range of services and facilities.

This new unit includes twelve inpatient beds and is the third in the West Midlands. Each room is individually styled, the furniture is funky and there’s always a place to watch films and surf the net. Combined with specialist nursing staff and a dedicated Youth Support Co-ordinator, the unit has everything to make a young person’s stay in hospital comfortable.

Speaking at the event, Oliver said: ‘We've been fortunate to do some pretty cool stuff but today has been an amazing experience. The young people we met were incredibly upbeat and there is no doubt that this is down to the environment they are treated in and the brilliant nursing staff.”

James added: “I'm honored to have been part of the official opening of Teenage Cancer Trust’s new unit today. It is an absolutely incredible facility and it was great to meet some of the young people benefiting from these specialist services in Birmingham.”

Beth Hosking, 22 from Worcestershire, was diagnosed with Leukaemia last October. She is still receiving treatment and has spent some of her time in hospital on the new unit. “Teenage Cancer Trust’s unit is absolutely amazing. It’s perfect for teenagers, just like me. When I wanted to be around others I could hang out in the social space but I also had my own space when I wanted and needed it. Being treated on this unit is making a huge difference to my experience.”

The state-of-the-art unit is a result of years of tireless fundraising by Teenage Cancer Trust and supporters in the region. Argos and Homebase, the UK’s leading home and general merchandise retailer, has contribute a staggering £234,000 and local company Shoosmiths have donated over £30,000.

Simon Fuller, Director of Services at Teenage Cancer Trust, “We're incredibly excited to see the unit up and running and are confident that our patients, their families and unit staff will benefit from the specialist support and care it provides. I would like to say a huge thank you to the Hospital and to everyone who has been involved in supporting Teenage Cancer Trust locally over the last few years.”

Latest news

Read more about what's been going on in the West Midlands...

Jordan's Day raises £11,500

Jordan Cobby from Nuneaton in Warwickshire was a happy, healthy and very active 11 year old boy who lived life to the full. He was a fantastic footballer; who loved playing on his Xbox and thrill rides at theme parks. However on the 8 August 2008 Jordan was diagnosed with Aveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancerous tumour of muscles in the skull.

Intense treatment followed, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and two separate 10 hour operations in Holland. True to form Jordan’s ' lets get on with it attitude' astonished all of his family and his spirits never dampened. Cruelly, in August 2010 a routine scan showed that Jordan’s tumour had returned with vengeance and despite further treatment he passed away alongside his family in March 2011, aged 14 years. Inspired by Jordan and his ‘upbeat’ attitude his family decided to put on a fundraising event in his honour. Jordan's Day took place in August 2011 with various fundraising stalls and an auction in the evening. The Jordan Cobby Memorial Cup football match between the two teams Jordan played for was also part of the day. Supported by local businesses, the day was a complete success, raising over £11,500 for Teenage Cancer Trust. Joanne, Jordan’s mum said ‘The attendance from our community was overwhelming and it is a true testament of the measure of Jordan, whose brave battle with this horrid disease not only touched the hearts of our family and friends but also total strangers who came along and supported the event. Throughout Jordan's 'cancer' journey we met so many special people who tried their upmost to cure Jordan and we will always be eternally grateful to them’.

It is planned to make Jordan's Day an annual event and his family and friends continue in their efforts to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Steven Cradock officially opens new unit in Birmingham

Musician Steve Cradock officially opened Teenage Cancer Trust’s new state-of-the-art unit at the Royal Orthopedic Hospital. The long time Teenage Cancer Trust supporter and guitarist (Ocean Colour Scene, Paul Weller) was joined by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Len Gregory.

Its taken four years to develop the £313,000 unit which opened to patients in August 2010. The development consists of the enhancement of the existing 12 bed teenage area with the addition of a large chill out area and an outside patio. The unit will care for patients aged 13 to 24 with bone and soft tissue tumours from the West Midlands as well as across the UK. This new facility will compliment our existing units at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (8 beds for 16 to 25 year olds) and Birmingham Children’s Hospital (6 beds for 13 to 18 year olds.)

The new unit includes two six-bed bays, all equipped with TV and DVD/CD playing facilities and a parent’s recliner chair/bed, and will provide a home from home for many young people and their families. It has a conservatory with a lounge area including a pool table, digital jukebox and gaming zone, a kitchen with built in appliances, an outside patio as well as access to media facilities such as the internet, TV and music.

Speaking at the opening, Steve Cradock said: “Dealing with cancer is frightening. Being taken away from your normal life - your friends, your environment – and put in a cancer ward with small children or older people is unimaginable. Teenage Cancer Trust doesn’t believe this is right as teenagers with cancer shouldn’t have to stop being teenagers. These units are great and become a home away from home from the young people treated on them.”

Daniel Penblebury, 16 from Nuneaton, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 15. He received most of his treatment, which finished last November on a Teenage Cancer Trust unit. Daniel said: “The Teenage Cancer Trust unit is absolutely amazing. It’s open, there’s lot of seating and between the jukebox, laptops and pool table, there’s loads of things to do. It’s the sort of place your friends can come and hang out with you. I spent some time on an adult ward but it was boring, I had no-one to talk to and nowhere to go – it just wasn’t the same. ”

Roger Tillman, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Orthopaedic Oncologist said: “This group of young patients have a very challenging time coping with the stresses of their medical condition but they also wish to enjoy the same activities as other teenagers. This is an incredibly important of their treatment, wellbeing and care.”

He added, “We are very grateful to Teenage Cancer Trust for providing this facility here at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital. We believe that this new unit is amongst the very best available in the country and the benefit will be felt by youngsters from all over the UK with bone and soft tissue cancers.”

Simon Davies, Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust adds, “We are incredibly excited to see the unit up and running and are confident that our patients, their families and unit staff will benefit from the specialist support and care it provides. I would like to say a huge thank you to the Hospital and to everyone who has been involved in supporting Teenage Cancer Trust locally over the last few years.”

Check out more pics of the opening

Cruel Theft prompts unit donation

Pictured above: (l-r) Macmillan Cancer Nurse Jane Forsyth is joined at the Birmingham Royal Orthopaedic Hospital by Angela Clarke, of Pertemps People Development Group, cancer patient Aidan Reeve and his father Clive, Debbie Adams, of the Teenage Cancer Trust, and Carrie Blake, of Pertemps People Development Group

A Birmingham Teenage Cancer Trust unit, which was hit by a cruel thief who stole computers, computer games and DVD players, has been given a welcome boost by generous workers.

Staff at Pertemps People Development Group acted after reading that the computers and games, bought to help young patients cope with their illness and treatment, had been stolen from the new Teenage Cancer Trust unit at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Northfield.

Angela Clarke, PPDG employment coach, said: "I was really shocked when I heard about the theft. I just couldn't believe that anyone could be so cruel. I felt deeply upset and I had to try to help".

A contribution of £600 was awarded by staff at Edgbaston-based employment experts Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG), which has offices throughout Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Angela went to the hospital with colleague Carrie Blake to hand over the company's donation. She added: "When we went to the ward to make the donation and meet the patients I was so touched. The hospital staff and the charity representatives are all such amazing people.

"The young people on the unit are so ill and yet so incredibly brave. To be welcomed in for a tour was a huge privilege and something that was inspirational for me. The hard work that has gone in to it all is just outstanding and I'm pleased we were able to help."

Sixteen-year-old patient Aidan Reeve and his father Clive, from Ipswich, welcomed the donation. Clive said: "Aidan has suffered from an Osteo-sarcoma, or bone tumour, in his thigh. This has been treated with chemo-therapy at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge and then removed and repaired with great surgery at Birmingham Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

"While no-one enjoys being in hospital, Aidan found the facilities in the Teenage Cancer Trust room a welcome change to just being on the ward, and was most grateful for the donation to assist with replacing equipment and helping to keep the room available for all teenagers. He found it to be a well planned room with plenty of facilites and activities available to take his mind off the surgery a little."

Bob Carter, regional fundraising manager for Teenage Cancer Trust, said: "The Pertemps team acted so quickly and so sensitively. Everyone at Teenage Cancer Trust is extremely grateful for their support and fundraising efforts. It has been a pleasure to work with their whole team who, we are sure, will be an inspiration to other future supporters and we look forward to a forthcoming working relationship with the caring company."

Teenage Cancer Trust received the donation from PPDG's Give As You Earn (GAYE) scheme as part of its active community support programme. PPDG workers contribute each month to a payroll giving scheme and have donated more than £120,000 to good causes and charities, many supporting the disabled and disadvantaged. PPDG has been recognised by the Institute of Fundraising as operating one of the best payroll giving schemes in the UK.

Dunlop Motorsport raise over £12,000 so far!

As part of a Charity of the year partnership, (Goodyear) Dunlop Motorsport encouraged motor racing fans to help raise over £12,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust during the 2010 Dunlop British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season. The money has been raised by asking members of the public at BTCC meetings for donations for ‘goodie bags’, which the company would usually give away free.

One teenager who appreciates first-hand the work TCT carries out is Sam Sutton, 17, from Leamington Spa. Sam, a former pupil at Campion School in Leamington Spa, was diagnosed with bone cancer 18 months ago and underwent successful treatment at the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Sam and his family visited the Dunlop Motorsport Factory where he and his dad had a unique tour of the iconic Fort Dunlop site in Birmingham.

Goodyear Dunlop aim to raise £30,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust as their Charity of the year partner

Roger Daltrey and Mr Hudson officially open unit at Birmingham Children's Hospital

On 14 October 2010 our patron Roger Daltrey, and pop star and producer Mr Hudson officially opened the new unit at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

The state-of-the-art unit is a result of years of tireless fundraising by Teenage Cancer Trust and supporters in the region, in particular two local families.

Matthew and Hilary Engel lost their 13 year old son Laurie to a rare and aggressive cancer in 2005. Since then the family have raised over £1.1million for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Diane and Ken Watt lost their daughter, Maria, in 2005 after she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at the age of 17. The family have since raised over £180,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust in her memory.

Relay race from Lands End to John O'Groats

On the 31 August 2010, supporters Ed Atkins, Phil Buckman, Stephen Hall, Kieran Holdstock and Chris Sparks began a non-stop relay race from Lands End to John O’Groats and back.

Premier League donate £20,000 to Birmingham’s new Teenage Cancer Trust unit

Blues star James McFadden visited Teenage Cancer Trust’s unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital to highlight a £20,000 Premier League donation. The money forms part of the Barclays Premier League Places for Players initiative and went towards facilities at our new unit at Birmingham’s Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

James McFadden said: “It was a pleasure to meet the staff and patients at one of Teenage Cancer Trust’s Birmingham units. It’s a wonderful place and it’s fantastic that the Premier League have donated £20,000 via Places for Players. Blues are absolutely committed to supporting great work in the local community. We’re really proud to be able to give this money to Teenage Cancer Trust and their units in Birmingham.”

Teenage Cancer Trust launches West Midlands Appeal

An appeal has been launched in Warwickshire to raise £100,000 for a new Teenage Cancer Trust unit. The appeal is part of a £1m fundraising scheme to build the unit which will care for young people at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

The money will also be spent on other facilities for young people.

Josie Lisle, 19, of Rugby was at the launch. Her bone cancer is now in remission but she said having cancer could be a frightening experience.

"I was lucky to be treated on a Teenage Cancer Trust unit - the support the unit gives and the opportunity to meet other people your own age going through the same thing, can't be underestimated," she said.

The appeal was launched in Stratford-on-Avon by motoring expert Quentin Wilson.

Karren Brady kicks off building work for Teenage Cancer Trust

On 23 November 2009 the first woman in football, Karren Brady (Managing Director of Birmingham City FC), attended a turf cutting ceremony to mark the beginning of construction work on Teenage Cancer Trust’s £2.8 million unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Karren Brady said: ‘I am really proud to be supporting Teenage Cancer Trust and look forward to seeing the developments that the charity has planned in the West Midlands. I visited the ward at BCH where teenagers are treated earlier today, and was so impressed by the positive environment and camaraderie between the patients. Whilst the care is fantastic, it will make such a difference for these young people to be in an environment with young people their same age, who they can share their experiences with.’

Laurie Engel

Today’s milestone is particularly moving for one local family. Matthew and Hilary Engel lost their son, Laurie, to a rare and aggressive cancer in 2005. Since his death, the Engels from Herefordshire, have raised £860,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust and the new unit, where Laurie would have been treated.

Matthew Engel said ‘Laurie had fantastic care at BCH, from wonderful doctors and nurses. But the staff know even better than we do that the existing ward is hopelessly inadequate for older kids who have their own special needs. Often these patients will be in and out of hospital for years. We need a place where sick teenagers can be teenagers as well as just sick. And the new Teenage Cancer Trust unit will make a huge difference to their lives. Laurie would be very proud.’

Andrew Hughes, Chief Commercial Development Officer for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said: ‘We are delighted that our teenage patients will benefit from this specially designed ‘funky’ pod. We have no doubt this will make a big difference to the teenagers stays in hospital and make a difficult time in their lives a bit easier.’