The cancer unit at the Vale of Leven Hospital in Alexandria is set to benefit from a £50,000 donation made in memory of legendary Scotland and Rangers manager Walter Smith.
Ethel Smith, Walter's wife, nominated the unit for the funds from the Emmie Smillie Foundation, which will be used to improve facilities and the experience of patients. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde described the donation as one of the biggest received in the hospital's history.
Donation in recognition of care
Ethel chose the cancer unit as a thank you to the staff for their daily work and for the care Walter received during his time there. She presented the cheque to Charge Nurse June Raines and Gerry O'Hare, a former Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Vale unit who cared for Walter during his treatment.
Speaking after the presentation, Ethel said: “When I was asked where I would like the money to go, I had no hesitation in nominating the unit here at the Vale. Walter received treatment here, so it felt fitting as a thank you for the care we received from the unit and the hospital in general.”
She added: “I’m so glad the money will be used here. We have personal experience of what the hospital does for the local community, and this donation is part of recognising that.”
Plans for the funds
The exact details of how the money will be spent are yet to be decided, but it has been earmarked to enhance the facilities at the unit and improve the experience of patients undergoing treatment there.
The haematology-oncology unit provides day care for patients, allowing them to receive treatment at the Vale and return home without an overnight stay. It has 12 treatment chairs and a phlebotomy unit, and offers chemotherapy, blood transfusions and support to manage symptoms associated with cancer and blood-borne diseases.
Community support
Most patients come from the Vale of Leven area, although the unit also cares for people from elsewhere in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and other parts of the west of Scotland.
June Raines said: “We are extremely grateful to the Emmie Smillie Foundation for this donation. Our unit is very much part of the community, and being able to provide treatment here means many patients can receive their care close to home.”
The Emmie Smillie Foundation raises money to support cancer services across Scotland through fundraising events and was established by businessman Andy Smillie following the death of his daughter from cancer. Four years ago, the foundation made a similar £50,000 donation to the Vale.
Rebecca Reid, Interim Director for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Clyde Sector, said: “We are grateful to the Emmie Smillie Foundation for this generous donation and to Ethel for nominating the Vale of Leven. Our teams work hard every day to provide high-quality, compassionate care for patients and their families, and this funding will help the unit continue to improve the experience of people receiving treatment at the Vale.”
