11/01/22: Mobile Cancer Care Unit Gifted Portraits

Chairman of Breckland Council, Cllr Roy Brame, attended a portrait presentation at the Mobile Cancer Care Unit (MCCU) in Thetford. The portraits, drawn by Thetford artist Chris Goddard, were gifted to some of the nurses and driver who are familiar faces within the unit.

The MCCU is owned and maintained by the charity "Hope for Tomorrow" and was launched into service April 2016. Hope for Tomorrow is a national cancer charity dedicated to bringing cancer treatment closer to home. Their MCCUs bring vital treatment to patients, reducing travel, waiting times and the stress of visiting busy hospitals.

A resident who uses the service, but who didn't wish to be named, commented: "The MCCU has completely changed the way I receive treatment, there is a personal touch to seeing familiar faces and building trusts and friendships along the way. Having this on my doorstep has taken a lot of the stress away from receiving chemotherapy and the staff never fail to put a smile on my face."

Staff Nurse Alison Clark, Staff Nurse Bryony Gladden and MCCU Driver Anthony Stripp all received portraits to celebrate their hard work throughout the pandemic. Alison noted: "Giving residents access to treatment closer to home is an honour, the work we do allows patients to receive their care in comfort. The portraits from Chris are fantastic, it feels great for the service to be recognised."

Cllr Roy Brame said: "It was fantastic to meet some of the staff members of the MCCU. The service provides a much-needed lifeline to cancer patients who do not have easy access to hospital care, the work they do eases the stress on cancer patients and is invaluable within our community."

The Mobile Cancer Care Unit is at the Healthy Living Centre in Thetford every Friday.Find out more about the Hope for Tomorrow charity (opens new window) on its website, or you can contact them on 01666 505055.