Last night, the GWH Choir performed carols outside the Atrium at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon to help Brighter Futures celebrate reaching their target of £75,000 raised this year to pay for a year’s worth of intra-operative radiotherapy treatment.
The GWH Choir were specifically invited to be part of the event by Nathan Coombes, the consultant breast surgeon leading the project at the GWH. Although it was a little cold singing outside by the Christmas Tree, it was a well supported event and I was told that the choir singing festive songs and carols helped to give the evening a real boost.
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What is Intra-operative radiotherapy?
Intra-operative radiotherapy is a pioneering new treatment which has been trialled at a number of hospitals and centres cross the country. The treatment involves zapping the area affected by cancer with radiotherapy after the tumour is removed and while the patient is still on the operating table. As a result, not only is the radiotherapy specifically targeted, reducing the risk of any side effects, but it could also cut recovery time.
With a dedicated facility in Swindon, it will also mean that patients will no longer have to make the two-hour-long round trips to radiotherapy centres in Bath and Oxford for only ten minutes worth of treatment.
GWH Choir
The Choir at the Great Western Hospital was set up by Jules Addison in January 2014 and has already performed at a number of local events throughout the year and helped to raise a lot of money for Hospital related charities. Their next event is this Saturday when they will be singing at the Swindon Festive Markets from 10.30 – 12 noon.