Buy-a-brick for cancer

Fundraising, Health, Inside the sector, News.., Proactivist — By TFNadmin on 24/05/2012 11:07 pm

Buy-a-brick

Cancer Support Scotland is just £165,000 short of its fundraising target to open a new centre in the grounds of Gartnavel Hospital

What is your campaign called?

Help Take Care and buy-a-brick for Cancer Support Scotland

What’s the point?

Cancer Support Scotland (Tak Tent) has been raising funds for the new Calman Cancer Support Centre, due to open this summer. Donations are growing by the week but they are still £165,000 short of their total of £661,000. The centre, based in the grounds of Gartnavel Hospital, is to be named after Professor Sir Kenneth Calman, founder of the charity and more recently associated with the Calman Commission into Scotland’s constitutional future. A B-listed building is being lovingly restored by Glasgow Building Preservation Trust who have raised £1.4 million to bring this precious building back into use. It will provide a physical and visual separation from the greater Gartnavel Complex where visitors can relax, find out the latest research, enjoy a cup of tea and receive a personalised one-to-one service.

Why should we care?

According to the latest NHS publication, over 29,000 people in Scotland are diagnosed with cancer each year. Cancer Support Scotland is here to provide emotional and practical support – on a one-to-one basis and through community based groups. The charity is fully aware that cancer does not just affect the patient but also those around them. For that reason the services are also available for family, friends and carers. Currently based in an old dialysis unit at Gartnavel the new centre will allow the charity to more than treble their capacity helping over 1,400 people directly. Service users will be able to receive free complementary therapies including Aromatherapy, Reiki, Hot Stone Therapy, Indian Head Massages and Reflexology. They will also be introducing many new services such as a Befriending Service, Library Service and Take Care Café.

Who else cares?

When we are ill it is our friends, our family and colleagues who will help care for us. Cancer Support Scotland is here for them as well as those with cancer. The charity also has a network of community based, peer led support groups around Scotland. The Beatson Oncology Centre sees 8,000 new people a year for treatment of which the new Calman Cancer Support Centre can support over 20 per cent of them. Our corporate partners Hyman Robertson have dedicated their time to help get this campaign off the ground.

Who are you targeting?

We are looking for individuals, organisations and companies to get involved with the campaign by either donating or by spreading the word. We have almost 1,000 virtual bricks available for a minimum donation of £50. For each brick a chosen dedication will be etched onto a plaque in Cancer Support Scotland’s private terraced garden. Donations of £250 and over will be recognised inside the centre on a glass donor wall.

What will a better world look like?

Where all people affected by cancer are recognised and treated with respect, care and compassion. There will be free and readily available services there for people on a one-to-one basis and in every community.

What can we do?

For more information on our services for you or a loved one or if you want to take part you can donate through our new buy-a-brick website or download a flyer at www.cancersupportscotland.org/take-care-appeal/buy-a-brick. For more information you can also call us on 0800 652 4531 or email us at info@cancersupportscotland.org.