Mum diagnosed with cancer at 40 weeks pregnant gives back to Heartlands Hospital now she is cancer-free!


Back in August 2017, at 34 years old and 40 weeks pregnant, Catherine Aldridge was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which is cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes. She was diagnosed with stage 2a meaning that she had to be treated via ABVD Chemotherapy and treatment every other week which was started on 12 September.

Catherine was treated at Heartlands Hospital Ward 19 during her chemotherapy treatment. Ward 19 is the specialist cancer unit at the hospital which treats patients suffering from a wide range of cancers. Catherine said: ‘Ward 19 had become my new home- every time I walked in  I was greeted with a smile, tea/coffee, genuine concern as to how I was, and lots and lots of support!’

With the help of donations, Heartlands Hospital Charity is able to purchase equipment that is over and above what the NHS can fund. It also provides support to other services that will help benefit patients, their families and their carers. This leads to an overall more comfortable experience for the patients, making them feel at ease during their treatments.

The Charity is always aiming to provide as much as it possibly can for the patients on Ward 19. The money that has been raised so far has enabled the ward to have access to new electric recliners, heat pads for the patient’s veins, chemotherapy nurses at home, a new couch for stem cell patients and so much more!

Due to the fantastic treatment that Catherine received on the ward, she is now holding a fundraising ball taking place 29 March to give back to the ward, she said: ‘I've chosen to raise money for Ward 19 because that ward got me through my cancer. All the staff are partly responsible for me being cancer-free and I want to give something back to help them continue to make patients, like me, feel that little bit more comfortable.  I'm hosting a Charity Gala on Friday 29 March at Solihull Arden Club, Solihull. Tickets are £25 each and there will be food, fun, entertainment, raffle, auction and more!”

In order to purchase a ticket, please email Catherine directly via her email: catherine.a.aldridge@gmail.com.
To read more about Ward 19 and to donate to continue to support other patients such as Catherine, please visit: hospitalcharity.org/ward19

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