Cancer Fighting Fund

Ms Seema Seetharam, Consultant Surgeon and Lead Clinician for the Breast Cancer Service

Please help us raise funds to help our breast cancer patients

We need to raise £76,000 to introduce this equipment

Ms Seema Seetharam, Consultant Breast Surgeon at Darent Valley Hospital says:

“Being diagnosed with breast cancer is a stressful time and treatment can be lengthy and difficult. It is during the recovery period after surgery when further tests may show that the cancer has spread and another operation is needed. This news is very traumatic and upsetting for patients. But there is now a solution – OSNA. If we are able to raise the funds for this new service it will further boost the hospital’s good reputation as a centre of excellence whilst greatly benefitting patients with breast cancer.”

Breast Cancer patient 35 year old Sarah Oakwell

Patient - Sarah Oakwell says:

35 year old Sarah Oakwell’s 4 year old daughter Rosie was born at Darent Valley Hospital. She was so pleased with the way she was treated that when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2010 she wanted to have her cancer treatment at Darent Valley. She was so grateful for the treatment she received that together with members of her family, she will be taking part in the hospitals Stride 4 Life sponsored walk. She says:

“I can’t thank the hospital enough for the marvellous care I was given. The breast surgeon Ms. Seetharam and my breast care nurse Sylvia were wonderful. I want to help raise funds for this project, which will help so many others suffering from breast cancer. “

OSNA – for One Stop Surgery

What OSNA does:

While the patient is undergoing surgery the ‘One Step Nucleic acid Amplification’ (OSNA) can detect if cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit and can be carried out at the same time as removal of tumours in the breast. If the test shows the cancer has spread, the lymph nodes can be removed immediately whilst the patient is still under anaesthetic. If the result is negative, the patient can be told as soon as they wake up from the anaesthetic that the cancer has all been removed.

This is so much better for the patient as they only have to have one episode of surgery and they can then get on with their lives and any further treatment, that may be necessary, as soon as possible. The new system would save the patient from having to wait for pathology tests and possibly undergo further operations.

To make a donation click HERE

Cancer Fighting Fund

Monies donated to our Cancer Fighting Fund enable the hospital to introduce the very latest diagnostic equipment and treatments to benefit patients with any form of cancer. We are now one of only a few hospitals in the country able to carry out some procedures because of the charitable support we continue to receive.

Recent projects that have been funded:

Special Breast Ultrasound machine. The Breast Care team can now forge ahead with their ‘One Stop Breast Clinic’ benefiting even more patients. “This is wonderful news for people who often suffer sleepless nights worrying about their results. Dealing with the possibility of breast cancer can be emotionally overwhelming, knowing one way or another, sooner, takes away the uncertainty which can make such a difference to patient care.” Consultant Breast surgeon, Ms Seema Seetharam MBBS, FRCS (Glasg),

Further Cryosurgery equipment to freeze and kill tumors of the prostate and kidney. This is cutting edge technology that freezes and kills tumours - Mr. Seshadri Sriprasad, and Mr. Sanjeev Maadan Consultant Urologists

Complementary Therapies for patients having to undergo treatment for cancer to make them feel relaxed and in a better state of mind to undergo procedures - Sarah Flanagan, Lead Cancer Nurse Manager

Portable Defibrillator

Previously funded:

Magic Eye for the early diagnosis of Lung Tumors, Some Equipment for the Cryosurgery project to freeze tumors. Monthly complementary therapies for cancer patients.
Pill-Cam System for the early detection of small bowel tumors.
Mammotone System to help with the treatment of breast lumps, 2 Gynecological Cancer treatment chair.
Multiheaded projector to aid with the diagnosis of cervical cancer, Counseling support for Cancer nurse specialists, Digital camera to aid with the diagnosis of cancer cells.
Luxury Massage chair for patients undergoing Chemotherapy.
Bleeps for cancer clinical nurse specialists to enable all staff and patients to have fast access to expert advice and support.
Reclining chairs for patients, and many other comfort items.
Support for our Breast Unit, Aids to help Cancer nurse specialists, Handheld Oximeters for Respiratory Team, Hematology Patient User Group Meetings, Equipment to treat Bladder Cancer Patients, Throat Cancer Equipment, Nebulizers to loan patients with breathing difficulties.
Hand Held Stats Monitors for Physiotherapists, Complementary Therapies and comfort items, Ultrasound Scanner for the Chemotherapy Suite.

The Cancer Fighting Fund is a sub-fund of Charity No. 1050861

Contact Details

Tracey Cummins,

Cancer Fighting Fund,

Darent Valley Hospital,

Darenth Wood Road,

Dartford,

Kent DA2 8DA.

01322 428256

Email fundraising

Make a Donation

To make a donation click here.