Doctors at the Royal United Hospital are urging residents to take part in the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group’s #BCUSG3000Challenge to help raise money for essential medical equipment.
BCUSG chairman Mike Taylor launching the challenge on his exercise bike | Photo © Geoff Parselle
The cancer unit at the RUH treats around 3,000 new patients a year on average, but the coronavirus pandemic has put increased pressure on cancer services at the hospital.
The BCUSG charity is asking local people to dream up their own fundraising challenge based on the number 3,000 to fund new equipment that will allow doctors to treat cancer patients more quickly.
Richard Graham, deputy medical director and a consultant radiologist at the RUH, said: “As a result of the constraints due to the Covid-19 pandemic the NHS needs more capacity to treat patients, including patients with cancer.
“Radiotherapy and cancer diagnostics are now fully operational but additional capacity is needed and further investment in these areas will undoubtedly be beneficial.
“So we are asking local people of all ages to get behind the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group’s 3000 Campaign and help fund state-of-the-art medical equipment which will enable us to speed up the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients.”
BCUSG chairman Mike Taylor added: “Fundraising ideas can include anything from skipping 3,000 times, scoring 3,000 goals or completing a distance of 3,000 metres (3k) in your garden or on roller skates.
“The more imaginative the ideas, the better.
“Anyone can take part, whatever your age or ability, so long as official advice on social distancing is followed.
“People can share their fundraising photos and videos on social media using the hashtag #BCUSG3000Challenge and encourage others to get involved.”
The BCUSG recently contributed £340,000 towards the cost of an advanced gamma camera for cancer diagnosis and has allocated money for a quiet room at the RUH for palliative care and portable ultrasound scanners for breast cancer patients.
The BCUSG has also agreed to fund additional equipment needed for the new cancer centre at the RUH.
For more information and guidance on how to take part in the Bath Cancer Unit #BCUSG3000Challenge go to https://www.bcusg.org.
