A new Cancer Support Centre for Sussex?
Help us make it a reality
Over many years the Sussex Cancer Fund has supported holistic care in the Sussex Cancer Centre by funding counselling and complimentary therapy. However, lack of space has frustrated our ability to provide the full service now available at most cancer centres.
For a long time, we have looked for a suitable building near the Cancer Centre to build a dedicated support centre but have been unsuccessful until the hospital indicated that a site across the road from the Cancer Centre could be available.
It soon became clear that the project to build a specially designed Cancer Support Centre on this site was too ambitious for the Sussex Cancer Fund alone. We have therefore joined forces with the national charity Macmillan Cancer Support, who have considerable experience in funding and constructing similar support centres.
The Sussex Macmillan Cancer Support Centre will provide a holistic service in a calm, non-clinical environment. Patients, family, friends and carers form all over Sussex will be offered:
Drop-in service for information and advice
Welfare benefits advice
Counselling services
Complimentary therapies (eg. aromatherapy, massage)
A hair and wig service
Dietary advice
Space for self help and support groups
People affected by cancer will be able to visit the Centre at any stage of their ‘cancer journey’ and find the support they need, when they need it.
In addition, the building will provide office space for the physics and research nurse teams, Macmillan nurses, Cancer Pathway coordinators and Sussex Cancer Fund administrator.
The total construction cost of the building is the huge sum of £5 million. Our charity will give almost all its reserves of £1.6 million, the Hospital Trust will provide £400,000, with Macmillan appealing to the public for £3.7 million. This includes initial running costs, after which the Sussex Cancer Fund has committed to fund these in the long term.
This is a huge responsibility for the Sussex Cancer Fund and so it is vital that our capital is replenished to meet this commitment, as well as to continue to support the needs of the Sussex Cancer Centre itself.
It is also a priority that the general public support the Macmillan capital appeal, as this is needed quickly to get building work underway soon.
