Complementary therapies can help to rekindle the spirit in patients, support them in making lifestyle changes, and motivate them to move forward in life.
Complementary Therapies Appeal, Shooting Star Unit
While our NHS provides the life saving and life prolonging drugs, frontline staff, and basic facilities, we rely on the generosity of members of the public to ensure that we can continue to provide much valued added extras like complementary therapies, which are making a real difference to local cancer patients.
The provision of a complementary therapy service will continue to be entirely supported through generous donations of communities, patients and their families.
Intro
With one in three people in North Wales predicted to be diagnosed with a form of cancer before the age of 75, we know that this cruel disease will affect us all in some way at some point in our lives.
Need
The side effects of cancer and its treatments are often painful and debilitating, but through complementary therapies, we can offer respite, comfort and emotional support to patients when they need it the most.
Benefits
Supporters will help to ensure that a range of therapies are available to patients, which may include:
💜 Aromatherapy
The use of essential oils to assist relaxation, ease pain and stimulate the immune system
💜 Reflexology
Which stimulates and can also relax the body through the massaging of reflex areas on the hands and feet
💜 Therapeutic Massage
Using gentle movements with the hands to ease tension and reduce pain
💜 Guided Imagery
Which helps patients achieve a state of relaxed, focused concentration – which improves thoughts, feelings and actions
Impact
The benefits of complementary therapies are well researched, and have been proven to:
💜 Relieve pain
💜 Enhance relaxation
💜 Lessen the side effects of chemotherapy/radiotherapy
💜 Alleviate anxiety, panic, low mood, stress and fatigue
💜 Get a better night’s sleep
💜 Encourage acceptance of an altered body image
💜 Provide end of life support
We know that Complementary therapies make a real difference to the experience of cancer patients due to the service already being offered within the Alaw Unit in Ysbyty Gwynedd and the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre.
Did you know? 98% of patients who received complementary therapy last year said that it worked well for them.
The therapist was absolutely lovely and gave a fantastic foot massage 100%. Made being stuck in hospital having chemo all day much better. Thank you ❤Female, 27 (Foot massage for relaxation and acupressure points for pain & nausea)
How can you help?
- £100 will help to fund therapy products & oils
- £1,000 will fund a month's worth of complementary therapies
- £6,000 to become a sponsor of the appeal for 6 months
- 'Charity of the Year' - select this appeal with a target to fund a year's worth of complementary therapies for cancer patients.
