The Great Western Hospital is the first UK Hospital to receive the very latest Paxman Scalp Cooling System which will prevent hair loss in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
£30,000 has been raised in this appeal by Brighter Futures and the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to enable the launch of new state of the art scalp cooling system. Funds were raised through public donations, general fundraising and three very generous grants from the Dr Thomas Cranston Wilson Charitable Trust, The Hospital Saturday Fund and Zurich Community Trust.
The system works by reducing the amount of chemotherapy drugs reaching the hair follicles to alleviate damage caused by chemotherapy and the subsequent hair loss.
Although hair loss caused by chemotherapy is usually temporary many patients consider it one of the most distressing side effects to come to terms with. Between a 100 and 150 patients a year will benefit from the system. The two double units will be able to offer the service to four patients at a time.
Helen Simpson, a Great Western Hospital Patient said: ”I cold capped during my chemotherapy, I didn’t find it too cold and had great success keeping 80% of my hair. It does add a little time to your treatment but well worth giving it a try.”
“You already have so many other side effects you are coping with, losing your hair doesn’t need to be one of them. Although not an essential part of treatment it is without doubt a real bonus for me to keep my hair. Thank you to Brighter Futures for fundraising to replace the machines for many going through treatment in the future.”
Commenting on the success of scalp cooling, Helen Winter, Lead Chemotherapy Nurse at the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am very grateful to everyone who has supported the teams in fundraising for the new scalp cooling units. The importance of being able to provide such equipment cannot be underestimated.”
“The team is very excited about using the new units as they fully appreciate the positive impact this will have on so many patients treated with chemotherapy.”
The new system replaces one which is eight years old. It has better fitting silicon caps which ensure that the coolant running through is always in close contact with the scalp.
Catherine Newman, Head of Brighter Futures, said: “Being able to invest in the latest scalp cooling systems means that patients can benefit from latest technological improvements so they stand the best chance of retaining their hair during treatment. We’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has helped us achieve this.”