When Tracie Mills was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2013, she was inspired to give something back to those who were helping her and to make things better for fellow patients.
With a target of £1000 in mind, Tracie and her team of over 45 Arden’s Angels set up a string of fundraising activities including a tandem skydive. They have now raised a staggering £50,000 for UHCW Charity for Cancer Services in Coventry and Rugby.
More than £20,000 of this total is now being used for specialist chemotherapy chairs which are being delivered to University Hospital Coventry in the next few weeks.
With new chemotherapy drugs taking twice as long to infuse, patients can sit in chairs for treatment for up to nine hours at a time and up to three times per week. The aim of the chairs, which offer first-rate comfort and safety features, is to ensure that the best possible environment is provided to patients receiving treatment.
Despite raising such an amazing amount, Tracie is not stopping there! Arden’s Angels are determined to reach £100,000 to support patients who will be treated at the new Chemotherapy Centre in Rugby.
Tracie said: “I have had a great experience and treatment throughout my cancer care and was committed to giving something back to all those that have helped me, who continue to help me and to future patients. As someone who lives in Rugby who has travelled to Coventry for my cancer care for 7 years, I am really excited to finally see the new chemotherapy suite being built in Rugby. We have donated £20,000 to the Arden Centre and all the funds that the Arden’s Angels have raised and continue to raise will support UHCW Charity cancer services too.”
Unfortunately, COVID has meant that Tracie and her Angels have had to cancel almost all of their fundraising events since March, but they are continuing to raise funds where they can and have big plans for the future – including further skydives!
Jo O’Sullivan, UHCW Charity Director, said: “Tracie and her team of Arden’s Angels are an inspiration. Tracie has not let cancer stop her – she was determined to raise funds to make things better for our patients at the Arden Centre and they smashed their original total of £1,000 – now the Angels are raising funds to help cancer patients who will be treated in the new centre at Rugby and Tracie is determined to reach 100k. Tracie has incurable cancer and continues to receive palliative treatment, yet has spent so much precious time raising funds for our Charity to help fellow cancer patients – thank you just isn’t enough.”
Cancer services have continued throughout COVID-19 and there will continue to be a huge demand for treatment in the years ahead.
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