Christopher Biggins attends turf cutting ceremony to mark new teenage cancer unit in East Anglia

12/05/10

TV legend Christopher Biggins attend a turf cutting ceremony earlier today (12 May 2010) to mark the beginning of major building work on the first state-of-the-art specialist cancer unit for young people in East Anglia. Alongside Richard Howe from Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Helen Bearfield-Smith from Teenage Cancer Trust, Biggins assisted the contractors whilst he’s there.

After two year’s worth of fundraising in the region which has raised an impressive £1.3 million so far, building work at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge will now begin. Contractors Haymills will undertake the construction which is expected to be completed in December 2010. An official opening ceremony will follow soon after.

The specialist unit will cost Teenage Cancer Trust £2.5 million to complete and will be in the space occupied by the existing C9 ward. It will cater for cancer patients from East Anglia and surrounding areas aged between 13 and 24. It will provide 11 in-patient beds plus open-plan social and recreation areas; a kitchen and dining area for patients and parents; digital lighting systems; broadband connectivity and cutting edge computing, gaming, music and entertainment equipment.

Unlike an ordinary hospital ward, Teenage Cancer Trust’s unit at Addenbrooke’s will be as close as possible to a young person’s life outside of hospital. The rooms will include vibrant wall designs and state-of-the-art technology allowing young people to keep in touch with their friends. It will boast a chill out room and family room. Most importantly the unit will provide the opportunity for teenagers to be treated alongside other people of a similar age.

Helen Bearfield-Smith, Teenage Cancer Trust’s Regional Appeals Manager in East Anglia said: “We are incredibly excited that the building work has now started as it has been a long time coming and it is so desperately needed. The patients, their families and friends have worked tirelessly to help us get to this stage along with the local community and we are all looking forward to walking through the doors of the unit when it is opened.”

Actor and television personality Christopher Biggins comments about being involved: “I have been a supporter of Teenage Cancer Trust for many years now and I am so pleased with how much it has grown and achieved over the years. This new unit will be a very special place and will really give young people from across East Anglia a fighting chance against cancer.”

During the construction of the unit patients can use the interim facility, The Oasis, which opened last September at Abington House at Addenbrooke’s. The Oasis is a drop-in centre which offers support and advice, to young cancer patients and their families, as well as social and recreational facilities for patients.

The new unit at Addenbrooke’s will complement the 14 other specialist units the charity has built across the UK since 1990. The aim is to build enough units so that every young person who is diagnosed with cancer will be treated on one.

Vital funds are still needed to be raised to complete this unit as it is expected to cost £2.5 million. If you would like to help with Teenage Cancer Trust East Anglia Fundraising Appeal please contact Helen Bearfield Smith, Regional Appeals Manager for East Anglia on 07852 998234 helen@teenagecancertrust.org For more information visit www.teenagecancertrust.org