Show to help breast cancer ward vision (From This Is Lancashire)

Show to help breast cancer ward vision

9:51am Tuesday 10th October 2006 in

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A recovering breast cancer patient has set the date for her first major event to raise money for a dedicated ward at Blackpool's Victoria Hospital.

Valerie Hoyland, of School Road, Thornton, aims to bring in at least £1,000 with a variety show at Thornton Little Theatre next April.

She said: "I'd like to see one ward dedicated to people recovering from breast cancer so they can talk to one another about what they are experiencing and be reassured it is normal."

Valerie, who had a lumpectomy in March and who has undergone chemotherapy, is now receiving radiotherapy treatment at Preston.

When she was in hospital in Blackpool Valerie was distressed to find the ward was mixed, and also that one patient was terminally ill with cancer.

That situation has now changed, but she is still determined to continue with her fund-raising.

"I have a daughter who was trying to cope with university and it would have been nice if there was somewhere she could have sat with other families to talk about what she was going through.

"I don't know how much I have to raise, but I'm working with the fund-raisers at the hospital and they are looking at other hospitals around who already have dedicated cancer wards.

"It could be that an existing ward could be adapted."

Valerie has already raised more than £300 thanks to the support of two amateur dramatic groups to which she belongs - The Windmill Players and Thornton Cleveleys Operatic Society.

Wyre councillor John Shedwick has agreed to produce the show for Valerie and the hard work of finding acts to take part has now begun.

If you can help in any way, contact Valerie on 01253 859887.