COMIC Kevin Bridges played pool with youngsters yesterday, as he officially opened a new facility for young cancer patients.
The Teenage Cancer Trust unit at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow replaces temporary facilities at the old Yorkhill Hospital, and will provide specialist care for patients aged 13 to 16 in the West of Scotland.
Bridges, from Clydebank, was joined by rocker Roger Daltrey of The Who and the Duchess of York, both of whom are patrons of the charity.
The stand-up, who has performed in aid of the charity, spoke of his enthusiasm for the cause. He said: “At first I find these things difficult because obviously you’re nervous about what the kids are going through and you don’t want to be coming in cracking jokes and making light of it, but I think I realised that they still want a bit of that because they’re still young people.
“If I can take their mind off it in any way and it cheers them up, then it’s great and also pretty humbling.”
The charity needs to raise £2,400 a day to maintain all of its services in Scotland. Health Secretary Shona Robison, who also attended the opening, said: “It’s been an honour to visit the new Teenage Cancer Trust unit and to meet staff, and patients and their families. The close partnership between NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Teenage Cancer Trust is a great example of working together to ensure a patient-focused model of care, prioritising the unique and individual needs of every young person with cancer.”
Patient Connor Quinn, from Glasgow, helped design the social space in the unit. Now 18, he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at 12 and, after two years of good health, was re-diagnosed with the condition earlier this year.
He said: “Being treated on a Teenage Cancer Trust unit made me feel less isolated and alone. I have made so many friends here and had some wonderful experiences on and off the unit.
“The emotional support has made a big difference, whether it is just sitting chatting to Ronan, my youth support coordinator, or playing on the Xbox, it has been a great distraction at a difficult time.”
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