I used to drive past the Hope for Tomorrow Mobile Cancer Care Unit  bus at Peacemarsh and think, “I am glad I am not on that!” Well, now I am on that bus, every week and I am so grateful that it is there. 

There are only 10 mobile cancer units in the UK.  Ours is the second busiest in the country. (After Yorkshire, if you are wondering!) 

The Salisbury bus comes to Gillingham twice a week. That in itself is brilliant because it means I can have blood tests and covid swabs  on Wednesday to check it I am ok for my treatment on Friday. 

85% of their fundraising revenue stream, from big public fundraising events,  is cut due to the pandemic. 

 The NHS provides the nurses, the drivers, vehicle insurance and the fuel for the MCCUs but Hope for Tomorrow need your help to pay for the building and maintenance of the Mobile Cancer Care Units. 

I know we are being asked to give money a lot at the moment. I know I am not walking a long way, or doing something inspirational. I am just asking you to donate the equivalent of a sausage roll (hmmm why would that be on my mind at the moment, Gillingham people?!) to this amazing cause.  

They don’t just do chemo. They do blood tests so older and vulnerable people having cancer treatment don’t have to go all the way to Salisbury, they flush pic lines, they do immunotherapy, they do so much and yes they also do chemo.  The staff on the bus are amazing. Friendly, helpful, kind and caring. I think I must rave about it so much as my 9 year old son said “I want to go on the bus!”  

For me, the bus has meant that I don’t have to go to Salisbury for chemo,  blood tests and covid swabs at the riskiest time in the pandemic. It means that my husband and children can stay at home, getting on with their day while I am round there having treatment. It has meant that I have routine and structure and see the same lovely faces each week.  It has meant that I have a safe, quick way of receiving chemo and for that I am very grateful. 

Thank you for reading my story and for donating,  if you are able to. 

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