A group of friends who formed a bond for life through the impact that cancer has had on each of them are celebrating this week as they present the hospital that supported some of them through treatment with a cheque for an amazing £19,000.
The group, who have dubbed themselves The Breast of Friends, raised the impressive figure in aid of the Breast Care Unit and Chemotherapy Room at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn by hosting a glitzy ball.
The Breast of Friends first joined forces back in 2019 as a group of friends who has all been impacted by cancer in some way. They have been raising money for the Breast Care and Chemotherapy Units ever since. The group, made up of Deborah Wright, Claire Ling, Gail Ruffell, Joanne and Jimmy Hazell, Paul and Jeanette Kidd, hosted their annual ball at Briarfields Hotel in Titchwell, treating lucky guests to an evening of music, dancing and a lively atmosphere.
Claire and Jeanette met in 2016 when they were in beds next to each other following their surgical procedures for breast cancer. From then on, the pair formed a strong friendship. The Breast of Friends was formally formed when the group all came together at a ball organised Jeanette and Paul in 2019 and formed a bond over their shared experience of how cancer has affected all of them in some way.
Jeannette and Paul Kidd, the first of the group to begin fundraising, have raised a tremendous £50,000 since 2019. Paul Kidd, from The Breast of Friends, commented: “I personally wanted to give something back in appreciation of the treatment and care my wife Jeanette received at both the Breast Care and Chemotherapy Units. Along the way some wonderful friends have joined us in the fundraising who have also had the experience of going through the cancer journey themselves or supporting loved ones going through cancer treatment at the QEH”.
Alice Webster, CEO at the QEH met the group to thank them for their recent efforts. Alice said: “It was very humbling to meet this group of dedicated fundraisers and hear first-hand the impact the QEH has had on their journey through cancer treatment and beyond. I would like to thank each and every one of the Breast of Friends group for their continued support, please know that this money will go on to support many more people living with cancer. Thank you.”
If you are interested in donating to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital charity, please visit JustGiving.
If you would like to donate another way, please email Charity@qehkl.nhs.uk or call on 01553 613309 for more details.
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