Ledley opens new Cancer Centre at local hospital
Fri 26 September 2014, 13:45|
Tottenham Hotspur
Club Ambassador, Ledley King, visited North Middlesex Hospital earlier this week to officially open the new Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre.
Located in the heart of the hospital, the free service encourages people touched by cancer to talk about their experiences and is available for cancer patients, their families and carers to use. Staff will offer a listening ear and provide up-to-date, high quality information about cancer diagnosis, treatment and the effects of specific cancers.
The legendary former skipper spent time meeting cancer patients who have been treated at the hospital and learnt how the new service will benefit those affected by cancer.
Speaking at the launch, Ledley said: “Raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer is important to the Club and together with ‘Get to know cancer’ we are helping to spread the message that cancer can be ‘treatable, even beatable’ if caught early.
“I have enjoyed meeting the patients here today and finding out about the support the Centre offers. I’ve learnt that having something as simple as a person to talk to can help people cope with cancer."
The team at the Centre will help make referrals to the Macmillan CAB welfare benefits service, advise on complementary therapies and provide information about local support groups. Over 700 people affected by cancer in the local area are expected to benefit from the new service each year.
Professor Stanley Okolo, medical director at North Middlesex University Hospital said: “Ledley and Spurs are providing fantastic leadership by raising awareness of cancer and cancer services. We’re proud to be working with them.”
Ledley, alongside players and staff at the Club have been continuing to raise awareness of ‘Get to know cancer’. The campaign aims to save up to 1,000 lives in London each year by education people on the signs and symptoms of cancer and promoting the importance of early diagnosis.
The Get to know cancer market stall will be outside White Hart Lane on October 5th, providing potentially life-saving information to fans before kick-off at the Southampton game.
