Willington's singing cancer survivor pumps life into hospital
CANCER patients in Durham can now receive more comfortable treatment thanks to a Willington singer.
Trish Greensmith, who sings under the stage name of Chyrelle Addams, visited University Hospital of North Durham this week to unveil a new infusion pump for use in chemotherapy.
Trish, who was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, paid for the £3,000 Alaris double lumen infusion pump after starting the Chyrelle Addams Breast Cancer Appeal to buy vital equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Sandra Gaskill, chemotherapy department manager at the Durham hospital said the pump was already making a big difference in the way patients are treated.
Chemotherapy involves the administration of various drugs designed to kill cancer cells.
Many patients receive the drugs via a drip which is administered by an infusion pump meaning patients can spend hours at a time connected to the machine.
She said: “This is an excellent machine and we really appreciate having it.
This unit allows much more mobility for patients and, if we need to administer two drugs at the same time, this allows us to do with one machine rather than two which is much easier for the patient.
“If they need the bathroom they can go while still attached to the machine.
“It really is a fabulous piece of kit and I would like to thank Trish and all the people who donated to her appeal.”
Trish, who so far has raised more than £33,000 for medical equipment, received chemotherapy via a similar machine.
She said: “It is not a nice treatment so anything that can add a bit of comfort is welcome. This was something the hospital said it wanted so I was only happy to help.”
Trish is also hopeful of getting the go-ahead to buy lasers for treating lymphedema at several North East hospitals by the end of the year.
She also plans to buy the University hospital a single infusion pump costing £2,000 as they are currently having to share a pump with Shotley bridge.
For more information on the Chyrelle Addams Breast Cancer Appeal, or to make a donation, telephone Trish on 01388 746835.