The fundraiser held at Trimpell Sports and Social Club in Morecambe, raised £2540.25 for Bay Hospitals Charity and will be used to purchase new treatment trolleys for the unit.
Janice, of Heysham near Lancaster, was diagnosed with cervical cancer when she was 28 and treated at London’s University College Hospital.
She attended follow up appointments at the RLI in 1986 when she moved back to the area and shortly after went into remission.
Eighteen years later the family faced a new battle when husband Ron was diagnosed with breast cancer and in the same year tests showed their daughter Vicki had thyroid cancer.
Vicki received further treatment for the condition in 2013.
A routine scan in 2008 showed Ron had Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and in July 2017 tests revealed he has widespread lymphadenopathy (a disease of the lymph nodes).
Janice, a Clinical Support Worker for the Trust who was diagnosed with Lupus 20 years ago, said: “With all of the help and support from the team at the RLI our lives have been made so much better, focusing on the future whatever it may entail. Dr Howarth and all the nursing staff have been caring and extremely kind, are always on call 24 hours a day for both myself and my family. “When I thought about being 60 I felt that I did not need any more wine, chocolates or flowers so I had the idea for a birthday bash for oncology. The response was marvellous. We sold 126 tickets and with the raffles and donations we made a huge sum. Janice and Ron, who used to run the Boot and Shoe pub in Lancaster, have raised over £20,000 for charities over the years including the Christie Charity and St John’s Hospice Lancaster. She added: “Cancer is something that has affected us as a family but we have tried to not let it take over our lives.”
Sue Procter, Sister and Unit Manager for Oncology at RLI, said: Jan and Ron are truly inspirational, wonderful people. The new trolleys will enable us to continue providing high standards of care for all our patients. The whole team are extremely grateful for their generosity and for allowing us to share in and benefit from Jan’s special birthday celebrations.”
Paula Richardson, Head of Charity and Fundraising at Bay Hospitals Charity, said: “A huge thank you from all of at the Bay Hospitals Charity office here at Royal Lancaster Infirmary. Jan and her family are truly inspirational. Donations such as this really help us to make the hospital experience more comfortable for patients and their families.”
Bay Hospitals Charity is a registered charity, raising money to improve patient care and hospital experience at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust hospitals.
Every day incredible things happen across our hospitals, but this is not without cost. By donating to Bay Hospitals Charity you can fund the latest equipment and help make your local hospitals more comfortable, ensuring you get the best possible care and treatment.
To find out more about how you can get involved or to make a donation online, visit www.bayhospitalscharity.org.uk – alternatively you can email [email protected] or call the Lancaster team on 01524 516064.