Donation in memory of Jean Lyndsey presented to Altnagelvin Sperrin Unit

Money raised from a charity cycle in memory of a young Limavady woman has been presented to the unit at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry where she was cared for during her illness.

The £1,841.40 raised from the event held earlier this month in memory of Jean Lyndsey was presented in appreciation to the Sperrin Unit by her husband Steven and young sons, Cameron and Brandon.

They said a “special thanks” was due to Sharon Roulston and Diane Olphert, from the Loughs Agency, who helped to arrange the cycle in Jean’s memory.

Photo shows Steven, Cameron and Brandon presenting the cheque to Sperrin Unit staff members Tara McIntyre and Julie McHugh.

The Unit delivers chemotherapy treatment lung, prostrate, colorectal and breast cancer patients as well as haemotology patients.

The unit also provides and delivers supportive treatment to patients such as blood transfusions.

Other services offered to patients include pre-education appointments prior to commencing chemotherapy treatment.

A purpose-built chemotherapy unit. it has 21 treatment chairs, an inpatient ward with 14 beds, an outpatient facility with nine consulting rooms and facilities for rehabilitation specialist palliative care and support services.

Patients can be in treatment for six months with weekly to three weekly visits to the unit for chemotherapy.

The unit also provides a telephone triage service which is a 24 hour helpline for patients with chemotherapy/cancer complications. This service is shared with the inpatient department to ensure 24 hour coverage.

The unit recently introduced scalp cooling for some chemotherapy regimens to help reduce hair loss and complementary therapies.

The staff also deliver education programmes to the hospital and community staff.