A grateful patient has been on a fundraising mission as her way of giving back following the amazing care she received during chemotherapy treatment.
Ruth Reid was reunited with the staff who cared for her for the first time since completing her treatment, when she made her generous donation to the Mara Unit at Bishop Auckland Hospital.
The mum of two from Satley found a lump above her collarbone in March 2020 while she was 33 weeks pregnant. She was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma on April 16.
To start her treatment as quickly as possible, Ruth was induced on May 7 and welcomed a baby boy, Arthur.
Ruth started chemotherapy treatment on May 20 completing this on August 5.
She said: “I did the fundraising because I wanted to give something back. The care I had at the Mara Unit was amazing. I am so grateful to everyone who has donated in various ways and supported me, from being diagnosed last year right up to having treatment and with fundraising also, as it means so much to me.”
Due to visiting restrictions during the covid-19 pandemic, Ruth underwent her treatment without family or friends by her side at hospital.
Ruth added: “The staff became like my adopted family supporting me during my many hours of treatment. My Macmillan nurse at the Mara Unit was fantastic and so supportive and available to answer my many questions, and help me when I was feeling very anxious. I’m hoping that the money raised will be able to support more patients who are undergoing treatment.”
Ruth with the help of family, friends, the local community and businesses, raised an amazing total of £10,774 – with £5,387 being donated each to the Mara Unit and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Money was raised through Ruth hosting coffee mornings, tombola’s, raffles and an Afternoon Tea.
North East technology company True Potential made her fundraising feat their charity of the month, raising £3,000. During the last August Bank Holiday last year, 12-year-old Samuel White completed the Coast to Coast cycle route in just three days, adding £1,200 to the fundraising pot.
Mara Unit ward manager Catherine Simpson said: “A massive thank you to Ruth for taking the time and effort in organising the fundraising events, and also to all those who have contributed to raise such a fantastic sum of money.
“Our team are so grateful that Ruth chose to donate to the Mara Unit, where the money will be used in the future towards buying anything needed for the comfort and wellbeing of those patients attending for treatment with us.”
Following treatment at the Mara Unit at Bishop Auckland Hospital, Ruth went underwent radiotherapy at the Freeman Hospital for 15 sessions from October 12 with her final session on October 30 2020.
You can help support Your NHS Charity with a text donation simply text YOURNHS to 70480 to donate £5. Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message, or by organising a fundraiser, please contact the team on 01325 743781 or email cddft.charity@nhs.net
