A campaign to raise £200,000 to buy state-of-the-art equipment and revolutionise breast cancer treatment launches today - backed by your campaigning Watford Observer.
Money will go towards buying two Savi Scout surgical guidance systems, which use radar technology to precisely target and remove cancerous tissue.
The new equipment will be based at the breast unit at St Albans City Hospital, where patients from across West Herts - including Watford - are treated for the disease.
The appeal has been launched by West Herts Hospitals Charity - the official charity for West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust - and is being supported by this newspaper and its sister title, the Herts Advertiser.
"Sadly, cancer affects everyone at some point, either through personal experience ourselves, that of a loved one or knowing someone through family, friends or work colleagues,” said Michael Adkins, senior group editor of the Watford Observer and Herts Advertiser.
"Cancer does not discriminate in age or status. I've personally known many people affected by cancer in its many forms and we've seen in recent months how the Royal family have faced this harsh reality with both the King and the Princess of Wales undergoing some form of cancer treatment.
"However, through advancement in technology and medical expertise, particularly around breast cancer treatment, we have a real chance to make a difference to the lives of women who are diagnosed.
"I appreciate together with West Herts Hospitals Charity we're asking for money when times are tough but it's for a cause we can all find common ground on. If you can pledge your support by digging deep and making a donation you will be doing something great for thousands of women - and possibly someone you might know.”
You can make a donation by visiting https://raisewestherts.org.uk/appeals/beatcancer/
Two community fundraising events have been organised to kick-off the appeal.
The Abbots Langley Tough Ten on Sunday, October 6 is a fun and challenging event for runners and walkers, and includes a 1k fun run for children, and 3k, 5k, and 10k options.
The second event is the Titty Trail. This will take place on Sunday, November 3 and is an 11-mile trek from Watford General Hospital to St Albans City Hospital’s breast unit, following the Abbey Line trail from Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey.
To sign up for one of these events, visit https://raisewestherts.org.uk/category/events/
Lee-Min Lai, consultant breast surgeon at West Herts Hospitals, highlighted the impact the Savi Scout technology will have.
She said: "Studies show a reduction of 11 per cent in patients requiring further surgery, which not only enhances patient outcomes but also significantly reduces costs associated with additional procedures and longer hospital stays."
Traditional surgical methods often present challenges in precisely locating and removing cancerous tissue, leading to more invasive procedures, longer recovery times, and higher rates of repeat surgeries.
The Savi Scout system addresses these issues by using a tiny metallic reflector, undetectable from the outside, into the affected tissue.
In the operating room, surgeons can utilise non-radioactive radar waves to detect and precisely pinpoint the location of cancer within a distance of one millimetre, allowing for the targeted removal of cancerous tissue.
Alison Rosen, CEO of West Herts Hospitals Charity, which raises money to improve patient care and staff wellbeing beyond what the NHS can afford, said: “With the community’s help we want to fund two Savi Scout systems for the breast unit at St Albans City Hospital and treat breast cancer patients in West Herts using this advanced technique. The sooner we reach our target, the sooner we will have this ground-breaking equipment to start treating patients.
“Huge thanks to the Watford Observer and Herts Advertiser for helping us to share this important appeal and mobilise their army of readers.”
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