Volunteers launch comfort box for Wrexham cancer patients

The team of six, Anne Marie, Grace, Sara, Kathy, Kathryn and Sam, all have a personal connection with the Unit with some being health care professionals and previous patients of the ward.

The idea of the Star Box was formed following a previous patient and fundraiser, Grace, who was 19 when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, raised over £14,000 for various charities, including Awyr Las: The North Wales NHS Charity.

Grace spent £5,000 of the money raised on The TREATment Bags for the Shooting Star Unit, which provided new patients with small comforts before they begin their treatment.

Staff on the Unit loved the treatment bags and knew they wanted something like this to continue, Anne Marie Humphreys, Senior Sister on the Unit, formed the Star Box Volunteers Group to create their very own comfort box.

Anne Marie, co-found of the Star Box and Senior Sister, said: “The Star Box will enhance the experience patients have during their visits to the Shooting Star Unit.

“Specialist Chemotherapy nurses are fully aware that the clinical aspect of a patient’s care is paramount towards achieving a positive response to the disease process.

“However, to be able to compliment this with timely information, compassion and supportive gestures can make a difference to a patient who is undergoing treatment.”

Thanks to generous donations and sponsors, each box costs around £15 to make and will be available to patients from 24 April 2023 on the Unit.

If you would like to support the Star Box Fund, please click here.

A huge thank you goes to the incredible sponsors and donors that have made the Star Box possible: Shooting Star Cancer Support, NetWorld Sports, Morrisons Wrexham Community Champion, Asda Wrexham Community Champion, Lyan Packaging, Gresford Craft Group, Love Hope Strength Foundation, Kevin Longley, and so many more.