Double celebration for cancer charity Hope for Tomorrow

World's first marks a decade of mobile chemotherapy in the UK

CANCER charity Hope for Tomorrow and Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust celebrated ten years of mobile chemotherapy in Gloucestershire as well as the launch of ‘Helen', the new-generation mobile chemotherapy unit (MCU) based in Cheltenham, at an event on Monday, February 20.

The new MCU was at The Whittle Taps in Regent Street, Cheltenham, where a mini-exhibition focused on the past, present and future of mobile cancer care.

Susan Thomas, an ambassador for the charity, whose husband was the first patient treated on board, was present to talk to visitors, alongside a cancer nurse, patients, supporters and staff.

The Duchess of Beaufort attended and cut the tape on the new MCU.

Also celebrating on board on the day were Christine Mills, MBE, Hope for Tomorrow's founder, and Dr Sean Elyan, Consultant Oncologist and Medical Director of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Christine founded Hope for Tomorrow in 2003, following the sad loss of her husband David to cancer.

During his treatment she had been struck by the difficulties they faced in travelling long distances for chemotherapy, including the terrible frustrations of hospital parking and long waiting times.

Christine wanted to help people undergoing chemotherapy in a practical way and decided to approach Dr. Sean Elyan.

She was delighted to find they had a shared vision: to bring cancer care closer to patients.

Together they developed a pilot scheme that resulted in the launch of the world's first Mobile Chemotherapy Unit (MCU) in Cheltenham in February, 2007 by charity patron Sir Stirling Moss, OBE. Christine named the first MCU Helen, after a friend who passed away from cancer.

In its 10th year the Gloucestershire MCU is celebrating over 700,000 miles saved and over 50,000 hours for patients.