Glasgow cancer charity celebrates its ten year anniversary and fundraising success

Glasgow Charity Beatson celebrates its ten year anniversary today after raising millions for cancer survivors.

Beatson, founded in 2014, has raised over £53 million since its inception and works to support the wellbeing of people suffering from cancer as well as providing funding for essential critical trials.

Alan Kilpatrick, founding director of Beatson charity, said: “All the money raised goes towards a combination of patient’s wellbeing when they come to hospital and advanced research also.

“It is important to take a moment. A lot of people have done so much, the volunteers, the staff, everybody who has supported it financially.

So many patients and families support the charity now after being supported themselves during a diagnosis.”

At the cancer Centre today, volunteers gathered to celebrated the charity’s success. Cake and balloons were in abundance as the Rock choir sang a Michael Bublé number to entertain the masses.

Amongst the volunteers are husband and wife Stephen and Lucille McLaughlin.

Stephen was diagnosed with testicular cancer in August 2014 and was supported by Beatson throughout his journey.

He said: “I found a lump and went to the GP to get it checked. Once checked it was detected as cancerous.

“Beatson cancer charity helped out because they gave me a lot of services that helped me recover a lot faster.

“I used the hairdressers service to help me cope. They gave me the first chemo cut to help prepare me for losing my hair when I got chemotherapy.

“I also got to use the wellbeing centre for seeing friend and family instead of having them visit in the ward. It was a relaxing environment and took me out of a dark place.

“The interactions I had with the charity were always very pleasant and they gave me the support I needed at that time.”

Since 2014, Steven and Lucille have been able to start a family and have three children – this was monumental for them as they were told that after Steven’s diagnosis that their chances of conception were low.

Beatson charity aims to keep expanding their services, and with more therapists than ever being available across Glasgow as well as a new ambulatory service, the sky is truly the limit.

As Alan Kilpatrick added: “It’s about taking a moment, reflecting, being pleased with the impact we have had, and seeing what can be done in the next ten years.”