Island Firefighters have come to the rescue of Upper Gastro Intestinal (Upper GI) cancer patients at St Mary’s Hospital by donating funds to purchase some much needed pressure relieving cushions for the support group.
Support Group meetings will now benefit from the use of the eight cushions, worth £48 each, which patients can also have on loan for use at home.
Kelvin Wright, Green Watch Manager from the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said:
“We heard that the Upper GI Support Group were in need of some pressure relieving cushions and we felt that this donation was in keeping with the overall SQUARE TO SQUARE charity cycle challenge appeal for cancer patients and we are very pleased to be able to support the group.”
The Upper GI Support Group meets on the first Friday of every 3rd month between 2.00p.m. and 4.30p.m. in the Studio at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Around 20 patients [and their partners] usually attend the Group which was set up to provide support to patients and help in understanding gastrointestinal cancers. The group are planning other initiatives this year such as a Buddying Course and would like also to raise awareness of Upper GI cancers.
NHS Isle of Wight Upper GI Nurse Specialist, Joya Morris, comments:
“These new pressure relieving cushions will make life much more comfortable for patients who have lost weight because of their cancer. This is a very generous gesture by our friends at Newport Fire Station.”
Further information about Upper GI Cancers can be found online
