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£20,000 to help cancer sufferers
Emma Dunlop A SHEFFIELD woman who has twice been diagnosed with breast cancer has raised more than £20,000 for breast services at the city's Royal Hallamshire hospital.
Janet Birkin, who is originally from the Hope Valley, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 after she noticed a lump and went for further tests.
The lump turned out to be cancer and she went on to undergo surgery and successful treatment with chemotherapy.
However, five years on, Mrs Birkin was again diagnosed with a new cancer and had to undergo further surgery and more chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy.
She said: "Being ill is a challenging time for any woman – you always assume it will happen to someone else rather than yourself. I wanted to show my appreciation for the excellent care I received and also help to enhance NHS services."
In spite of receiving her own treatment through a private healthcare plan, Mrs Birkin wanted to express her gratitude for the "terrific support" she received from her doctors who work at the hospital.
With the help of her family set about organising a Midsummer Ball, raising a total of 20,780 – more than twice the target.
The money raised will be used to buy two special chairs that can be adjusted into a seated or a lying position helping doctors to more easily perform mammograms for women in wheelchairs and to take biopsies when women are lying down, which is more comfortable and reduces the risk of fainting.
A new hand-held probe is also being bought for taking larger biopsies.
The rest of the cash will be used to help improve patient comfort and reduce anxiety.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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