Wow! The Bronglais Chemo Appeal is off to a flying start, with almost £15,500 raised in just the first week since the launch.

A BIG thank you from Hywel Dda Health Charities to everyone who has donated and helped the appeal thermometer start to fill up!

Support is being pledged from around Ceredigion, Gwynedd and Powys, as communities rise to the challenge to raise the final £500,000 total needed to provide a new, purpose-built chemotherapy day unit for Bronglais Hospital.

In an early boost, organisers of the annual Aberystwyth Charity 10K race have chosen Bronglais Chemo Appeal as the sole beneficiary of this year’s race, which took place on 5th December and saw 444 runners taking part.

Race director Anita Worthing said: “Cancer care has been at the heart of fundraising for the Aberystwyth Charity 10k since its start in the 1990s. The race founder, Carl Williams, was also a big supporter of Bronglais Hospital’s chemotherapy unit so it is fitting that the 2021 race proceeds should go to Bronglais Chemo Appeal.

“There was a fantastic atmosphere at this year’s race. People were so happy to be back after a virtual event last year. We were pleased to see so many people taking part, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19. We hope that at least £2,500 will have been raised for the appeal.”

Tara Nickerson, Fundraising Manager for Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “A huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far.

“The support from across the three counties served by Bronglais Hospital has been so heart-warming to see, as recognition of the vital services performed at the chemotherapy day unit.

“It has been a big boost that the organisers of the Aberystwyth Charity 10k has chosen to donate all proceeds from the 2021 race to Bronglais Chemo Appeal.

“We are appealing for the public’s help to raise this final £500,000 and support us in any way they can.

“Together we can make a real difference to the lives of people from Ceredigion, Gwynedd and Powys receiving anti-cancer treatment.”

Over 60 people a week receive vital anti-cancer treatment at Bronglais Hospital, a total of around 300 people a year.

A new chemotherapy day unit would mean provision of an improved experience for patients in a modern, fit-for-the-future facility that is tailored for patients at different stages of cancer, offering more comfort, privacy and dignity.

The physical environment of the current chemotherapy day unit is not designed for the purpose of delivering anti-cancer treatment. The current unit is located in an outdated, open-plan area, surrounded by a number of other outpatient clinics and requires significant modernisation to deliver anti-cancer treatment into the future.