ISSUE 29

TheThe QEHB CharityCharity NewsNewsletterletter

England Manager lends his support to The Giles’ Trust

© 2019 Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity is a working name of University Hospitals Birmingham Charity, a company limited by guarantee in England (No.10004003) and a charity registered in England and Wales (No.1165716). Registered Office: 5th Floor Nuffield House, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B15 2TH Hello and welcome to the latest With summer just around the corner, edition of Love QEHB, the official it’s the perfect time to sign up for an newsletter for the Queen Elizabeth event and raise money to support Hospital Birmingham Charity. This your hospital charity. We’ve got a edition is full of all our latest news, our whole host of events coming up upcoming events, and stories of our so whether you’d like to host a tea inspirational fundraisers. party or run a half marathon there’s Last year, we asked for your help to something for everyone. bring Heart in a Box to the hospital. If you’re interested in keeping up to This machine keeps a donor’s heart date with our latest news then be beating outside of the body ready sure to follow us on social media, for transplantation. Thanks to your just search for @QEHBCharity on generosity, Heart in a Box arrived at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. the hospital and is now being used to Alternatively, you can contact us on save lives. On pages six and seven, you 0121 371 4852 or [email protected]. can read all about James Walton and If you’re at the hospital, why not come his life-saving transplant that was made and visit us in the Fundraising Hub in possible thanks to Heart in a Box. the atrium? You’ll also be able to find Here at the Charity we’re immensely lots of Charity merchandise in the proud of our Home away from Home Hub, sign up for events, and make appeal that provides accommodation donations. for patients and their families within Thank you for all that you do for the walking distance of the hospital. Thanks Charity, it’s thanks to your generosity to your generosity we have provided that we’re able to go ‘over and above’ flats for the families of young people for our patients here at QEHB. receiving cancer treatment and patients receiving treatments for leukaemia and other blood cancers. Read more about this project, and the people who have benefitted from it in this newsletter. Mike Hammond Chief Executive, QEHB Charity

Famous face lends support Liver patient grateful for Ann Fox to Ball Foundation A fundraising dinner was held Thanks to the amazing fundraising recently in memory of legendary support of the Ann Fox Foundation, football coach Dick Bate. Read all liver patient Gemma Jolly has received about this amazing event on page a liver transplant. Read more about four, and the famous faces that were the amazing machine that saved her Together with your help there to lend their support. life on pages ten and eleven. we raise money to provide world-class facilities for Heart in a Box saves a life Home away from Home appeal patients and their families at the Queen Elizabeth Turn to pages six and seven to read Turn to pages 16 and 17 to read about Hospital Birmingham that about James Walton, and how his the Home away from Home appeal life was saved thanks to Heart in go over and above what the which provides free accommodation a Box. This revolutionary machine to patients and their families within NHS can provide. We spend was brought to QEHB thanks to your walking distance of the hospital. your generous donations donations! on cutting-edge equipment such as the cancer-busting machine CyberKnife; facilities like Fisher House, a ‘home away from home’ for military patients and their families; a teacher for young people with cancer, and much more. Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham

Fisher House

2 LOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 29 Dates for your diary NHS Big Tea 5 July Great Birmingham 10K Help us say a big happy birthday to the NHS this year by setting up your own tea party! Whether you work at the hospital, at a school or have a community group By running for Brum26 Mayand taking part in the you can get involved and hold your tea party on 5 July - SimplyHealth 10K, you can raise money for the or any date that suits you! hospital charity and help You can raise money for a ward, department or appeal young people with cancersupport and people military with patients, rare of your choice at the hospital and have a great time diseases. The 10K comes alive with thousands of drinking tea and eating cake at the same time! runners every year so is the perfect challenge to get stuck in to. By signing up to run for the hospital Let us know if you’re hosting your own tea party by contacting [email protected] charity, you will receive a free fundraising pack which includes a runnin Find out more information at ffifinisher’s pack and a timing chip for accurate results. hospitalcharity.org/events g vest, a goodie-filled Sign up to run for us now by visiting hhospitalcharity.org/events SimplyHealth [email protected] contacting Roisin on Great Birmingham Run Snowdon Challenge 13 October 7 September Challenge yourself to climbing up Mount Snowdon Take on a half marathon this year and support the hospital this year for the hospital charity! This fun-filled trek is charity in funding equipment and comforting items for open to anyone over the age of 18 and places cost £45 patients, staff and families at the hospital. Thousands take each with a minimum sponsorship of £100. Your ticket part in the 13.1 mile challenge with hundreds of people cost includes return coach travel from Birmingham city cheering them on. There are a limited number of free places centre, qualified professional guides to take you on the which are available on a first come, first serve basis, with a walk, fundraising kit and advice, and snacks and water £250 minimum sponsorship. to keep you going throughout the day! To get a place please call Roisin on 0121 371 4852, To get a place please visit or email her at [email protected] hospitalcharity.org/events and we will send out your free fundraising pack! or email Roisin on [email protected] GREAT NORTH SWIM lass N Do something different7-9 thisJune year and support the TheThe Nature17 JuneValley Classic hospital charity by taking part in the Great North Swim! The swim takes place in the beautiful Lake Join us for the first day of the fantastic Nature Valley District and you can choose how far you wouldo like Birmingham Classic at Edgbaston Priory Club and see to swim from 250 metres, half a mile, one mile, two some of the world’s most famous tennis players miles, 5K or 10K in open water. take to the court in the most celebrated pre- If you would like to take part in the one mile swim, Wimbledon tennis event! you can get your place through our website with a Adult tickets are £7, children are £4 and NHS minimum sponsorship of £250 and all other places staff can receive a £2 discount off their ticket. With your Charity ticket you will greatrun.org/great-swim/great-north-swim.are available at receive a water bottle on arrival and have the Charity team on hand to answer Once you have your place secured, email [email protected] to get your free any questions you may have. The event will include food and refreshments and shops fundraising pack! selling sports merchandise. Get your tickets now at hospitalcharity.org/shop/product/birmingham-classic-tennis

LOVELLOVEQ QEHBEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 29 3 England manager lends support to fundraising ball

A star-studded fundraising ball Keith Burkenshaw, Villa legend has raised an incredible £50,000 Kenny Swain, and , for The Giles’ Trust, which supports Performance Director of the Scottish patients with brain tumours at Football Association there to enjoy the Queen Elizabeth Hospital the evening. Birmingham. The Giles’ Trust was set up by The ball was attended by sporting England cricket hero, and current royalty from the worlds of football Director of English Cricket, Ashley and cricket, and even featured a Giles, and his wife Stine after she was special message of support from treated for brain tumours at QEHB. none other than England football Ashely and Stine were also present manager Gareth Southgate. at the dinner to lend their support, The ball was organised and hosted and to represent The Giles’ Trust Dick Bate by Maggie Bate, whose husband alongside Consultant Neurosurgeon Dick was treated at QEHB for a brain Ismail Ughratdar who spoke about of Dick and MaggieMaggie, having been tumour, before sadly passing away the exciting new projects that the coached by Dick in the past. Gareth in April 2018. Dick was a legendary brain tumour team are working on. recorded a message of support for football coach, having spent a The Giles’ Trust is currently raising those present at the event, and for successful career coaching football funds to support research into The Giles’ Trust. stars across the country. artificial intelligence for brain The dinner was held at The Chase When Dick was diagnosed with a tumours, which could change the Hotel, with the staff at the hotel brain tumour, he decided to raise way that brain tumours are treated at working hard to ensure that everyone money to support The Giles’ Trust. the hospital. had a fantastic evening. DJ Nigel Maggie was determined to host The event raised a fantastic £50,000 Gaudion, auctioneer Julie Bethell, a dinner to raise money in Dick’s thanks to an incredible raffle and Dress to Impress, all made the venue memory, and organised an event auction, which saw a host of look so beautiful, and photographer in her home town of Ross-on-Wye sporting prizes won, including an Caz Holbrook all gave up their time with support from Dick’s sons Nick incredible behind-the-scenes tour and services for free to help make the and Matthew. of St George’s Park, the state-of-the- event the best that it possibly could The gala dinner was incredibly well- art training facility for the England be. attended, with Burnley manager national teams, and the opportunity Cathryn Worth, Fundraising Manager , England under-21 to watch the England team train. at QEHB Charity, said: “The Charity’s manager Aidy Boothroyd, former This was donated by Gareth thanks go to Maggie for organising Tottenham Hotspur manager Southgate, who was a close friend and hosting such a wonderful evening of fundraising. Everyone spoke so highly of both Maggie and Dick, and the fundraising total reflects the high esteem in which both of them are held. “The money raised from the event will help to fund world-class research here at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, which could change the way that we treat brain tumours.” Find out more and donate at thegilestrust.org

Maggie and You can see Gareth’s Consultant Ismail Ughratdar video message at with Dick’s sons Nick and youtube.com/qehbcharity Matthew.

4 LOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 29 LIAM HERBERT Specialist Paediatric Therapy Radiographer

We spent five minutes catching up with Liam Herbert, a Paediatric Radiographer supported by QEHB Charity, who treats children and young people with cancer at QEHB.

Hi Liam, thanks for chatting with very claustrophobic. I work us! How long have you worked alongside the Mould Room at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and CT staff in helping the being very scared at the start of Birmingham for? young person get through this their treatment to running into I have been at Queen Elizabeth difficult stage by creating the the treatment room high-fiving Hospital Birmingham for a year and masks like the ones in the picture! everyone. Another is seeing them four months. after treatment and hearing about all Radiotherapy schedules can of the exciting things that they have What does your job involve? range from five days to up to six done since completing radiotherapy. I help look after patients between weeks of daily treatment. During the ages of 0 and 24 who are treatment I catch up with patients What do you do in your spare time? diagnosed with cancer and require and help them with arranging If it isn’t painting the radiotherapy radiotherapy as part of their anything I can, ranging from masks into superheroes, then I am treatment. I work alongside the arranging appointment times either swimming or cooking. I am a Radiotherapy Department and the around school to helping a patient big fan of food and wine! wider oncology team in providing overcome a loss of appetite as a support for the patients and their result of a taste change from the What would you say to anyone families as well as support with side radiotherapy and chemotherapy. who wants to fundraise for cancer effects from radiotherapy. patients at QEHB Charity? I am part of several multi- No matter the amount, the money I start off by meeting the young disciplinary teams that provide a that can be raised by you can make person and their families and holistic approach in delivering the such a difference to a young person help support them through their care that patients and their families or anyone that is diagnosed with radiotherapy journey. It is very need. I also help co-ordinate cancer. The money raised can be important for our patients to keep the proton referrals for patients used for end of treatment gifts for still through their radiotherapy that require a different form of the young people, new equipment treatment and for the younger radiotherapy that is not available in and machines, support, to even patients where keeping still will be Birmingham. Some patients will go funding people like me as the a challenge, we have to use general to Essen in Germany, Jacksonville hospital charity provides some of anaesthetic and put the child to in Florida or, more recently, the the funding. sleep during their planning scan Christie in Manchester. and treatment. What do you love most about Patients that require radiotherapy your job? sometimes require a radiotherapy There are several parts of the mask. This is often the trickiest job that I enjoy, one being part of radiotherapy as this can be the transition of a child from To help support young people with cancer at the hospital, please visit hospitalcharity.org/youngpeoplewithcancer

LOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 29 5 Heart in a Box transpl for secon

James Walton, 34 from Stoke, has had a life-saving heart transplant thanks to a revolutionary machine which was funded by your donations. In 2018, QEHB Charity launched a new fundraising appeal to bring a revolutionary new machine to the hospital which had the potential to increase the number of heart transplants that take place here at QEHB. Heart in a Box keeps a donor’s heart beating outside of the body, keeping it in a better condition for longer, compared to the traditional method of keeping a heart on ice before transplantation. Thanks to the incredible support from QEHB Charity’s fundraisers, and the generosity of Heart Research UK who funded half of the total £285,000 cost, Heart in a Box arrived at the hospital. Now, this incredible machine has been used to save James Walton’s life. James has Marfan syndrome,

let alone play with his three year old son Jack. James’ wife, Kat, said: “James couldn’t walk more than 100 yards; he couldn’t play football or go to the park. He was exhausted all of the time.” Within just five days, James was told that the heart that he so I’m incredibly desperately needed had been found for him. Surgeon, Mr Majid grateful; the Mukadam, retrieved his new heart and used Heart in a Box to re-start new heart it. that I wasn’t able to do before.” has given James’ new heart was then kept me a second alive inside Heart in a Box for Justine Davy, Head of Fundraising five hours before his transplant at QEHB Charity, said: “I am so chance at life. operation which was carried out delighted that James has now by Mr Jorge Mascaro here at got a second chance of life and he is feeling healthy following a condition that affects the soft QEHB. his transplant. It is a fantastic tissues in the body, and he had The operation was a great success, demonstration of the difference been living with heart difficulties and James has been able to return that can be made thanks to our for many years. home to Stoke on Trent. He said: supporters. James was placed on the urgent “I’m incredibly grateful; the new “A year on from the fundraising heart transplant list in January 2019, heart has given me a second campaign for Heart in a Box, after becoming so ill that on some chance at life. I feel like a new man it is incredible that lives are days he couldn’t get out of bed, and I’m already able to do things now being saved thanks to this

6 LOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 29 lant recipient grateful nd chance

revolutionary machine. My thanks to provide even more life-saving go to everyone who donated to equipment for the heart team at this important cause. With your the hospital.” further support, we will be able Barbara Harpham, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said: “To see such a young man given the gift of life is a wonderful way to show it was well worth all the effort to get this revolutionary machine in the Midlands. It will go on to save many lives. We’re very grateful to everyone who gave to the Heart in a Box appeal and at the same time remember with thanks, the donor and their brave family who made this precious gift possible for James.” James is now recovering well, and speaking just five weeks after the transplant, Kat said: “It’s still early days, but James is much more active. Jack now has his daddy back. He can chase him around complex, and hearts travelling and play games with him. Before, longer distances, and for these he would be too out of breath and patients this technology will be too tired.” useful.” Jorge Mascaro said: “It is James hopes to return to work wonderful that James has had a as a self-employed joiner, and successful transplant using the is looking forward to living a full Heart in a Box machine. We know and happy life. He said: “I will that the previous method worked forever be thankful to everyone for straightforward transplants, and who helped to bring this amazing we will still use the traditional way. machine to the hospital. Thanks “But we are seeing more patients to the Charity, I have a second with reoperations which are more chance at life.”

Going ‘over and above’ for heart transplant patients With your help, QEHB Charity will continue to do more to provide the very best care for heart transplant patients here in Birmingham. We want to open a ‘home away from home’ for transplant patients within walking distance of the hospital, allowing transplant patients and their families to stay close to the hospital whilst they are receiving treatment. Find out more about how the Charity’s home from home project on pages 16 and 17. Help support heart transplant patients by going online to hospitalcharity.org/heart

LOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 29 7 Pets in Hospital

Since launching in July 2018, our Pets in Hospital scheme has been a huge success with staff and patients alike. The scheme has proven to make patients’ days brighter, reduce anxiety and enhance patient communication and interaction. Here at QEHB, we wanted to bring dogs to the hospital to show that animals can have a positive impact on improving patient wellbeing. They have been shown to reduce anxiety, help reduce the perceived level of pain experienced by a patient through distraction therapy, and promote a calm and positive working environment for staff and patients. Jo Latimer, who owns Monty, has made many visits to the hospital since the scheme began and said: “I absolutely love bringing Monty to the hospital. To see the smiles on the faces of the patients that we visit is so heart-warming. Being a Pets in Hospital volunteer is great fun, and muchmuch ofof a didifferenceffer the dogs make You can learn more about our Monty loves the attention that when they visit patients throughout Pets in Hospital scheme by visiting he gets!” the hospital. We have had so much hospitalcharity.org/petsinhospital The scheme was originally launched positive feedback from both patients or contacting Jess on on the wards for older people at and staff telling us how much of a [email protected]@ QEHB but has since been able to difference the scheme has made. make visits to other select wards after “With your help, we will be able being so successful over the past ten to continue bringing the dogs to months. Patients can request a visit the hospital and help patients feel from one of the specially-assessed more at ease whilst they are on the dogs through the nurse in charge on ward. You can help support Pets in their ward. Hospital with regular donations to Jess Harris, Pets in Hospital help this scheme continue to change Coordinator, said: “After ten months the lives of patients at the hospital.” of the scheme, we can see how After visits, patients and staff are given the option to fill out a feedback form to help us improve the scheme. This is what one staff member said You can also visit our Charity about the visit: “Amazing! It was Hub in the main atrium of QEHB a huge boost in mood for the where Jess, our Pets in Hospital patient, who was delighted Coordinator, is based, and and would love weekly visits.sits. have a look at all of our We have lots of neurologicallycally Pets in Hospital merchandise! impaired patients with loww mood and long length of stays,sttays, this service is invaluable andnnd a fantastic scheme.”

8 LOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 29 Green Spaces

With all of the vital, life-saving All of the new trees require love work that goes on at QEHB and care, which is why we are every single day, it can be easy asking to support this project to overlook the environmental by sponsoring the trees! You factors that can have an impact can donate £50 to support this on wellbeing when coping with project and keep QEHB a beautiful recovery, rehabilitation or grief. and relaxing place to visit, stay Having a quiet space to reflect and and work. Whether you want relax away from the wards can to celebrate an anniversary, be invaluable when it comes to remember a loved one, or thank wellbeing, not just for patients and a particular ward or department their families but for the staff who for their care, sponsoring the trees treat them as well. at QEHB is a great way to leave a lasting contribution to the site itself. This is why we at the Charity have be attracted to the site – some of helped to develop the green To get more people involved in these, including Kingfishers, have spaces around the hospital to learning about the benefits of the even been seen on our monthly benefit patients, their families and green spaces to patients, families walks! For £35 a year you can the staff that work at the hospital. and staff, the Charity has set up support our Nest Box Adoption We are so lucky at QEHB to have monthly walks around the green Scheme! By doing this you will be a lot of green space available spaces where you can come along providing a valuable home for our throughout the site that allow for free and learn about the areas. birds, if you take part, we will keep people to sit, relax and chat away These are on the first Friday of each you updated with how the birds in from the hospital. month so please do come along your bird box are doing. and learn why these areas are so As part of our Green Spaces To take part in any of our Green important. scheme, we helped transform Spaces schemes, please visit the areas to include raised beds, If you are more interested in the hospitalcharity.org/greenspaces woodland area and wild flower birds that surround the site, you can and click ‘donate to this fund’, meadow, and a variety of new also sponsor a bird box! We have or for more information contact trees have been planted around put up many bird boxes in the new Sophie Carroll on 0121 371 4852 or the site. trees to see what new birds might at [email protected].

You can also get our Green Spaces merchandise in the Hub which is located in the Atrium at QEHB!

LOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 29 9 The Liver transplant p changed f

Thanks to the amazing support April 2014, she underwent a liver significantly changed the life of from the Ann Fox Foundation, transplant at the Queen Elizabeth patient, Gemma Jolly and her QEHB Charity received £100,000 Hospital Birmingham. In order to family. Similarly to Ann, Gemma to fund the incredible OrganOx thank staff at the hospital for her was diagnosed with autoimmune machine, to help liver transplant care, Ann and her husband, Tony, hepatitis in 1997, and following the patients at the hospital. organised a glamorous ball to raise birth of her children George and money for QEHB Charity’s Liver Harrison, her liver began to fail. Foundation. Gemma said: “The doctors tried Sadly, Ann was in hospital at the all sorts of medication and tablets, time of the ball, which took place but they just couldn’t get it under in their home town on the Isle of control.” Man in November, and tragically After being transferred to the died just a few days after. Since care of QEHB in 2004, the doctors her passing, Ann’s family have realised that her liver was being continuously fundraised for QEHB eaten away, and she became Charity, totalling over £100,000. progressively more ill. Tony said: “Following serious illness In 2015, Gemma was admitted to and a subsequent liver transplant, intensive care and doctors told Ann wanted to give something her to fear the worst. Gemma’s back in appreciation of the skilful husband Mike said: “I was advised care and consideration offered to to tell our boys that she wasn’t her by staff at the Queen Elizabeth going to make it. That was the The OrganOx machine helps to Hospital Birmingham. worst thing I’ve had to do as a clean and oxygenate a donated dad.” liver, outside of the body, keeping “Her legacy will Gemma was put on the transplant the liver in a better condition list and received her first liver for longer, increasing the length live on in the long transplant in May 2016. She said: “I of time that surgeons have to and fulfilling lives of was in and out of hospital for eight perform a transplant. months before, spending more The incredible OrganOx machine those she has been time at hospital than at home. This would not have been possible to able to help.” was really hard for the boys, they provide if it weren’t for the Ann Fox “Ann was a wonderful woman. To found it really difficult. Foundation funding the machine. all of the staff at QEHB we must “I had my transplant, which was express sincere gratitude. You initially a success, but after six gave Ann back to us with hope. months or so things started to go Although the time wasn’t plentiful, it wrong.” was cherished, and for that we will Mike said: “I noticed that her eyes each be eternally grateful.” were jaundiced and she was Mr Thamara Perera, a consultant admitted for tests, the doctors said liver transplant surgeon at that the only way forward was to QEHB, commented: “Ann was a have another transplant.” remarkable woman and it is a real Gemma was added to the waiting honour to receive this machine, list once again, however, things which will help thousands of got steadily worse for her, and her Ann Fox was diagnosed with the patients in future.” liver failed completely. progressive disease autoimmune Due to her family’s fundraising, Gemma continued to live with hepatitis over 20 years ago. In Ann’s legacy has lived on and her condition but was unable to

10 LOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 29 patient whose life was forever!

someone has got to go through incredibly proud to have been loss so that you can have able to provide this amazing something from it. It’s difficult to equipment that is already saving process.” Gemma’s surgery was lives at the hospital.” a great success and she was up To support liver patients like out of bed and sitting in her chair Gemma, please visit: within two hours of waking up. hospitalcharity.org/liverfoundationuk “It’s good to be able to plan for the future again; life goes on hold when you’re unwell. We’re starting to plan a nice holiday abroad with the boys; they deserve it after everything they’ve been through.” Mike said: “We’re both incredibly grateful for the fundraising that allowed Gem to have an operation that she otherwise wouldn’t have had.” Gemma added: “From the bottom Amanda Carvalheiro, Gemma Jolly and Mr. Thamara Perera of our hearts, we thank you. I’ve got my life back, and my boys live the life that she had become have got their mum back.” accustomed to. Then, in October 2018, Gemma was admitted to Justine Davy, Head of Fundraising hospital with severe jaundice. at QEHB Charity, said: “We are She said: “Mr Thamara Perera came to visit me on the ward and he asked whether I’d be interested in signing up for a process whereby I would have a transplant using a brand new piece of equipment at the hospital. It was a no-brainer for me, Mr Perera carried out my first transplant and he explained it really well. Mr Perera explained about Ann Fox’s family and told us about their fundraising that had made it possible for the machine to come to the hospital.” Despite the presence of the machine, Gemma was still in need of a suitable organ. Then, in November 2018, a liver was found. “It’s a mixture of emotions,”

Gemma said, “It’s hard to get Tony Fox, with his daughter Andrea your head around the fact that and son Stephen

LOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 29 11 Resorts World Birmingham team hosts a charity variety night Murat Bicer, Hospitality Operations Manager at Resorts World Birmingham, was at the forefront of arranging a charity evening as his close friend Jaffa Shamshuddin received his renal transplantation treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The night raised money for QEHB Charity and the Frank Bruno Foundation. Murat said: “Following a convconversationeersaat from my friend Jaffa, we decided to work together to put on Thankh k you,u, the charity night for the renal transplantation department at QEHB.” The night was full of entertainment hosted by magician and radio presenter Facebook Ben Hanlin. Special guests included Julian Smith from Britain’s Got Talent 2009, Keri Arrindell from X Factor in 2010 and the Uptone Girls who are an acapella friends! group from the University of Birmingham. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supports us on Facebook. In the past year, you Helping Little Angels supports have raised over £10,000 which is incredible! QEHB Charity Thank to your hard work on Tayyaba and Mohammed Lohar could fundraise for QEHB Charity, and Facebook, you have enabled us to have been a part of the Helping Little so they organised the Garden Picnic. purchase added extras throughout Angels charity since it began 14 years The event included food, stalls and the hospital including tea sets for ago, and now they have helped the games and took place in the couple’s all of the wards that have waiting QEHB Charity in supporting cancer back garden. With a huge turnout areas, toys for young people who patients. they managed to raise £2,500! are going through their radiotherapy At the beginning of 2018, Mohammed treatment, and much more. Cathryn Worth, Fundraising was diagnosed with stage three Manager at Queen Elizabeth EvEverythinge that we bowel cancer and began having Hospital Birmingham Charity, said: purchasep goes over surgery and chemotherapy. “A huge thank you goes to Tayyaba, anda above what Tayyaba, his wife, said: “The treatment Mohammed and everyone at Helping thet NHS can fund and care he received was second Little Angels that took part. People are and ensures that to none and we couldn’t thank the being diagnosed with cancer every patients at the hospital enough for returning his day and this money will really help us hospitalh are receiving health. We have both supported and the staff here at QEHB to go over the best care possible, various charities in the past and and above what the NHS can fund.” without your support we wouldn’t always try to do what we can be able to do this. whenever we can.” To set up a Facebook fundraising Helping Little Angels is page on your desktop, all you need a charity that fundraises to do is click on ‘Fundraisers’ on the for those in need all over left-hand side of your homepage, the world. This includes click ‘Raise Money’, select ‘Nonprofit/ running orphanages, Charity’ and then search for Queen schools and projects such Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham as tree plantation, water Charity. From here, you can create wells and vocational your page, add your own pictures training. and information and choose which ward, department or appeal you As the couple have been would like to raise money for! working with the charity since the beginning, they asked the team if they

12 LOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 29 NatWest charity partner of the year A huge thank you goes to NatWest’s Birmingham branch as the team decided on QEHB Charity as their charity partner of the year. Portfolio Manager at NatWest in Birmingham, Jackie Wilkes’ daughter was involved in an serious car accident and was treated here at QEHB. Jackie’s daughter, Rebecca, was injured nearly four years ago when her car overturned and smashed through a fence which almost decapitated her. After spending over two weeks in critical care and a 14-hour nerve transplant operation to try and get parts of her arm moving again, Rebecca, her mother Jackie and NatWest are determined to raise money for the hospital that saved her life. During 2019, the team at NatWest Injury Service fund at QEHB, which various events throughout the have pledged to raise money for is the department that looked after year including fun runs, Smarties the trauma wards at QEHB and help Rebecca. September, bake sales and maybe to fundraise for the Bracial Plexus The team will be taking part in even climbing Mount Snowdon. Thank you team!

Umami Harborne cook up a storm Indian restaurant Umami in Harborne hosted a fabulous fundraising evening to raise money for patients at the hospital. ‘Come Dine for QEHB Charity’ saw customers enjoy a feast of tasty Indian food, with money being donated to the hospital charity. The night was a great success and raised a fantastic £205 to provide ‘added extras’ for patients here at QEHB. Sofia Jankovic, Marketing Assistant at Umami, said: “It was a fantastic evening. We were delighted to raise money for our local hospital charity and all of our guests greatly enjoyed the evening. We hope to host another event just like this in the future!” Sophie Carroll, Fundraising Officer at QEHB Charity, said: “Our thanks go to Umami Harborne for hosting this event and raising such a brilliant amount of money! It sounds like everyone had a great time enjoying the tasty food and raising money for our patients here at the hospital.”

Are you taking part in fundraising for QEHB Charity?y? Send us your photos on Twitter & Instagram using #LoveQEHB or #QEHBCharity.QEHBCharity We love seeing what you’ve been up to!

LOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 29 13 Staff Superstars

We are incredibly grateful for the amazing members of staff who work at the hospital and raise money for the Charity to help us provide ‘added extras’ for patients at the hospital. Here are just some of the staff superstars who have gone ‘over and above’ for patients. Liver team set to tackle Sunrise Gruelling fundraiser set bybthe the ITMITM team Snowdon again for QEHB Charity! The ITM team, made up of nurses, doctors and administrators, will be faced with the muddiest event in the Staff from the liver team at QEHB have decided to yet world and will have to do a 10k trail over sixty challenging again take on the daunting trek up Mount Snowdon… obstacles. The challenge will take them through mud, in the dark! The seven hour hiking event will see staff water, tunnels, members climb a steep 3,559 feet! hurdles, Tahir Shah, tightropes and Suzanne Vickrage, many more! Ye Oo, Russell Talking about Bolton, Darren the challenge, Smith, Joanne Research O’Rourke, Matthew Nurse Ronald Armstrong and Carrera, said: Kerrie Wilkins are all “The Research part of the fantastic Team are really liver team that excited to take areare takingtaki on this incredible challenge. Some members on the Wild of the team climbed Mount Snowdon last year raising an Mud Run and raiseil lots off money for QEHB Charity to help incredible £2,635 to support the Neuroendocrine Tumour patients across the hospital. fund. “Teamwork is really important in our job and this challenge Sophie Carroll, Senior Fundraiser at QEHB Charity, said: “The is definitely going to bring us closer, everyone from the Charity is truly grateful to the team for choosing to sign up department is getting involved. We hope this will be one yet again for Sunrise Snowdon. I would like to wish the of many charity events we take part in this year and we team good luck on their trek as well as their fundraising!” can help contribute to the amazing work that QEHB Charity If you would like to take on one of our challenges this year, does.” turn to page three to find out more. Dr Andrew Jacks’ ‘journey home’ raises £13,825! Lt Col Dr Andrew Jacks is a Consultant ophthalmic surgeon in the Royal Army Medical Corps. Dr Jacks is now back in the UK after serving for three months in Afghanistan. Whilst there, he decided to fundraise for Fisher House. Dr Jacks participated in a static cycling event which saw him ride a total of 3547.4 miles, roughly the distance between Kabul and London. He raised an amazing £13,825! In July of this year he will be retiring from the Army after serving in numerous parts of the globe. Dr Jacks has many plans to fill his time, one being cycling! He said: “I want to take on a lot more cycling now I will have a little more spare time; I am going to be raising money for the eye department at QEHB.” Despite raising an astonishing amount already, Dr Jacks has pledged to participate in Velo Birmingham & Midlands 2019 to raise even more for QEHB Charity. Velo is one of the biggest cycling events in the Midlands, and will see thousands of participants ride for their chosen charity. Dr Jacks said: “At the last Velo, my friend and I completed it in about seven hours, this year I am quite a bit fitter so I am aiming for around the six hour mark.”

Do you know a staff superstar? Do you want to nominate them for a shout out in the next Charity newsletter? If so please get in touch and share your story by emailing [email protected] or get in touch on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, all @QEHBCharity

14 LOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 29 How you can help young people with cancer

The Teenage Cancer Trust Young QEHB Charity funds additional More recently, the Charity has Persons Unit (TCT YPU) is a items that have helped YPU to worked with the James Brindley dedicated unit for young people become a ‘home from home’ for School, a specialist education between the ages of 16 and 24 young cancer patients and their service, to help ease a patient’s who are being treated for cancer. families. From providing DVDs and academic pressures. This service These young people, in the midst Xbox games, to pizza nights and not only brings a little bit of of their already difficult journey ‘grab bags’ filled with essential normality back into their lives on to adulthood, suddenly find items, your donations mean that the unit but also helps them in the themselves faced with a possibly together we can be there every future when they are ready to go life-threatening illness. Many step of the way to support young back to full-time education. must put life on hold, just as it is patients with cancer. starting to take off.

Ethan Billinge is a 16-year-old currently undergoing treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). Ethan was kind enough to share his story of how he wishes to pursue his education despite his cancer diagnosis. With the help of QEHB Charity-funded education, Ethan is planning for the future. What are you currently studying the time, but Ethan? they were again After completing my GCSEs in really helpful. the early stages of diagnosis, I’ve Although I had progressed to studying A-Levels. enough points I’m currently studying Maths, to study four A-Levels, I had mind, you can be working towards Further Maths and Physics. made my decision, that due to that. Also, don’t overwork yourself! the continuation of treatment, Remember you are going through How have you managed to realistically that three A-Levels something extremely difficult and combine studying with your would be more achievable. if you don’t feel good enough on diagnosis and treatment? a day you don’t have to. I’d get up at 6:30am; revise until What are your ambitions for the around lunch then have the future? Do you think the Education and afternoon off, then revise again Eventually, I’d like to be a maths Employability service offered on until around 9:00pm. I found teacher in secondary school but the YPU is important? that this helped to pass the time would like to do something before Definitely. Without this service, and alleviated boredom. I was this to get some life experience people who wanted to work thankfully, with the hard work of all before heading into the classroom. would have a really hard time of the YPU team, able to achieve getting what they need. Also, it my goal and take all of my exams Do you have any advice to allows the people they work with in school, albeit in a separate another young person trying access to new opportunities. room. I passed all of my GCSEs to study whilst undergoing with good grades and was able to treatment? £55,000 funds a specialist progress to my chosen sixth form. Have a clear goal in mind. For me, education service provided by this was knowing that I wanted James Brindley. You can help I hadn’t been able to attend the to be in school for the exams, to support young people with induction event at the sixth form, and knowing how many points I cancer by donating to as I was undergoing Chemo at needed. Once you have a goal in hospitalcharity.org/ teenagecancer

LOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 29 15 Home away f

Patients who receive treatment at QEHB. The flat is primarily used at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for blood cancer patients’ families Birmingham often have to to stay, it has two bedrooms so travel a long way to get to the two families can stay in the flat at hospital, meaning that if they any one time. need to stay for a period of time, Since opening this flat, we have it can get expensive for their worked with SACA (Sikh Arts and family to stay with them. Cultural Association) to open For patients and their families, another flat in the same building. visiting the hospital can be a SACA’s Home from Home is aimed stressful experience and trying to at families who have a young find somewhere to stay to be near person who is being treated for a loved one can make it worse. cancer at the hospital. This flat This is why QEHB Charity is proud opened in March 2018 so has been of incredible use to patients and their families for just over a year. for a while whilst they recover Between the two flats, from an operation. Currently, there the Charity has managed could be 12 families visiting their to give over 500 people relatives at the same time who somewhere homely to have just received a transplant, stay near the hospital and some of these have to travel and has provided from places like the North West, almost 4,000 nights’ stay Wales and the South. Having including partners, parents, somewhere such as this stay is grandparents and in invaluable to families who need to some cases, the patient be close by in times like this. themselves. to be working with the Karen Morris Memorial Trust and the Sikh Due to the success of Arts and Cultural Association to the two flats and the fund homes away from home for amazing feedback families and patients at the hospital we have received, to alleviate stress, and make visits we are now aiming to to the hospital as easy as possible. open another flat, this time for the families of Over the past four years, the transplant patients. Charity has been working with the Karen Morris Memorial Trust to QEHB is constantly fund a flat, known as Karen’s Home increasing the amount from Home, just a short walk away of transplants that take from the hospital. The flat is used place at the hospital, for families to stay for free whilst and most patients will their loved ones are being treated have to stay in hospital

If you would like to donate to the Home away from Home flats to make sure more families are near their loved ones at these difficult time, visit hospitalcharity.org/homefromhome and donate now.

16 LOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 29 yfrom Home

Over the past few years we have All in all, David was in hospital for David is now back at home with had lots of families, relatives, just under four months and we Andrew and is recovering from his partners and even patients stay in did our best to make sure that transplant, and since, Andrew has the flats. Some stay for only one Andrew was accommodated made a very generous donation night, but others could be with in the flats for as much time as of £1,000 to the home from home us in the flat for weeks or even possible during this difficult time. which will help us keep them months at a time. Here are some Talking about the flats, Andrew running for even more people in of the people who have used the said: “The accommodation was these situations. flats or donated to help keep them fantastic, it enabled me to have a running: space to work, to prepare meals Jackie Conway, a heart transplant and also do our laundry. For long recipient, created an appeal in aid Andrew Hewitt’s partner, David, stays in hospital and being such a of the Heart in a Box machine that was admitted to QEHB in 2018 with long way from home, this type of the Charity purchased last year a rare blood cancer called post- accommodation was invaluable called ‘Jackie’s Big Heart Appeal’. When donating the money she had raised, she decided to split it 50/50 between the new machine and the Home away from Home. Although she lives locally and her family didn’t need to use the accommodation, she said: “I wanted to split my £20,000 between the heart and kidney transplant units, so my heart side went to Heart in a Box and my kidney side went to the Home away from Home. “I know from friends that I met during my 17 week stay at the hospital just how expensive it was for their families to be with them. The Home away from Home programme is brilliant; to allow patients’ families to stay for free by the hospital is fantastic. It would be so tough if you were out of the polycytheama vera myelofibrosis as it meant I was able to be with area and your family couldn’t be which meant his bone marrow David throughout his stays. became fibrous and stopped with you. I hope it will make other producing enough blood cells, “I often shared with people whose people’s lives easier.” so David needed a stem cell relatives were also receiving transplant. The couple, from Hay- treatment for the same sorts of illnesses as David. It was helpful To help us fund a Home away on-Wye, would have had to travel to have a ‘fellow traveller’ with from Home for transplant for a total of five hours each day whom to discuss fears, hopes and patients and their families, visit to be at the hospital, but Andrew experiences. We now have friends hospitalcharity.org/homefromhome luckily had the use of Karen’s that we stay in touch with and and click ‘donate’ now Home from Home. meet when we go to the post- transplant clinics.” LOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 29 17 School kids raise money for TCT YPU Year seven pupils at Market Bosworth High School set up a fayre where they sold DVDs, cakes, treats and held a raffle all in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust Young Person’s Unit at QEHB. The inspiration to raise money came from a teacher at the school, Jayne Gidman, whose niece is currently being treated on the unit for cancer. Abhay fundraises Jayne said: “The Glide Away beds that the Charity funded were a life saver. It meant my niece’s mum or me could stay with her and be by her side the in a gooey way! whole time. “The pizza nights also gave her something to look forward to even though she was in hospital!” All of the goodies were sold to the year eight and nine pupils and they raised an incredible £1,134.74 for the unit which will go towards all of the things we fund to help make the patient’s stay a little bit easier.

Jane Brown shaves head in memory of Becky Giddens Netball coach Jane Brown has shaved all her hair off and raised a fantastic £1,881 for QEHB Charity and Macmillan. Jane said: “Nearly ten years ago my youngest daughter, Lois, was coached by best friends Becky and Sarah whilst Seven-year-old Abhay Chavan chose she was playing for the under-14s the gooiest way to fundraise for QEHB Worcestershire Netball team. Charity and sold slime to his friends! “Lois went on to have a successful He decided he wanted to fundraise playing and coaching career and for the Charity as both of his parents it was because of Becky and Sarah work at the hospital. His dad, that we’ve both been so involved Shivanand, is an anaesthetist, and in the netball world.” his mum, Mamata, works in the Microbiology Labs. Becky sadly passed away from cancer in August 2016 aged 34, Abhay even got his dad to help him and Jane wanted to shave her with the fundraising and sold him head in her memory. some slime too! He raised £8.25 by selling the slime and then his dad Jane had her head shaved at half matched it, bringing his total raised to time of the netball match between £16.50! Worcester Reds, the team Lois plays for, and Grangetown Netball The money that Abhay has raised will Club. Speaking of the money that be able to fund things like a toy for she raised, Jane said: “I am truly a radiothreapy patient who has just overwhelmed by the support! finished their treatment. From friends I haven’t seen for too long to complete strangers who don’t even know me. Thank you to every single one of you!”

188 LOVOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITY NEEWSLW ETTER | ISSS UE 29 Friendship Circle makes generous donation to Fisher House The Friendship Circle, a group who meet at St Faith and St Laurence Church in Harborne, has raised a fantastic HIA International £1,125 to support Fisher am House, the home away Primitivo Birmingh from home for military patients and their Hotel, Ross-on-Wye families at the Queen Chase Elizabeth Hospital Barr Birmingham. Asda Perry The group made a ive Birmingham visit to Fisher House to Escape L present a cheque to Patient Advocate Dave Watson after raising money by holding a number of events, including a coffee morning and a skittles evening. Dave Watson spoke to the group about his experiences in the Army and the importance of Fisher House and the service that it provides to military patients and their families. The group were inspired by Dave and decided to direct their fundraising towards supporting the home away from home. Dave said: “It was great to meet the members of the Friendship Circle again and give them a tour of Fisher House. The money they have raised will help us continue to provide for military patients and their families here at Fisher House.” Daughter raises fantastic Darts night hits the bullseye sum in memory of father for skin cancer appeal A Shropshire woman has raised £1,153 to support heart Skin cancer patient and lung transplant patients at QEHB following a successful Sue Winwood has coffee morning. raised an incredibly Laura Richards was inspired to raise money following her £1,040 to support father’s double lung transplant at the hospital in 2015. The the QEHB Fighting operation was a success, but he sadly passed away in May Skin Cancer appeal 2018. at the hospital by Laura said: “I wanted to raise some money for the holding a darts incredible hospital where dad was treated. I thought that night. it would be a great idea to organise an event to coincide Sue is a patient with organ donation week.” at the hospital, Laura organised a raffle and sold 1,000 tickets, with prizes and has received including days out to watch horse and dog racing. Laura immunotherapy drew the raffle at a coffee morning, attended by friends treatment which is part of a skin cancer trial, funded by and family. QEHB Charity. Sue is no stranger to fundraising, having The event was a great success, and raised £1,153 to provide taken part in a ‘stairathon’ in 2018 which raised £4,460. added extras for patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Sue said: “I was given two months to live, and the Birmingham. doctors decided to put me onto the immunotherapy Laura said: “I trial to see if it would make a difference. Well that was was delighted three years ago now. I’ve still got terminal cancer, but the to have been immunotherapy trial has given me three years of life that I able to raise so would not have had without it.” much money Sue held a fundraiser at her local pub, the Dog Inn in to support Water Orton alongside her partner Dave. Sue said: “The other transplant support from the pub has been fantastic. I’d like to say a patients at the special thanks to Steve and the whole of the darts team hospital where for being so supportive. I’m delighted to have been able dad received his to raise so much money for a worthy cause.” transplant.” LOVE QEHB - QEHB CHARITYTY NEWSLW ETTER | ISSSSUE 29 19