benefits of fundraising

When you donate money to a charity, you want to be able to see how it is making a difference to the lives of patients and staff.

Below just some of things we support as a result of your generosity are listed.

If you are interested in fundraising for any department please contact see the main fundraising page for information.

Robotic Surgeon

Over the past two years a robot, one of only three in the UK and the first in our region, has been assisting with surgery for prostate cancer. Purchased with the help of charitable funds, the robot enables otherwise radical procedures to be achieved with greater accuracy and less blood loss through keyhole surgery. As a result, the outcome for prostate cancer patients referred to Addenbrooke’s is significantly improved while their recovery time is dramatically reduced. So far, the robot has help in over 100 operations and may well be used for other procedures in the future.

Brachytherapy

This innovative radiotherapy treatment for organ confined prostate cancer minimises the effects of radiation to other organs and reduces patient’s post-treatment recovery time. We were able to buy the Brachytherapy equipment in 2006 and are the only hospital in East Anglia to offer this advanced treatment; one of only eight in the UK. It is proving highly beneficial to prostate cancer patients in our region and the surrounding area.

Breast Cancer Research Unit

Clinical research plays a vital role in the work of the breast unit team, and in July 2008 the Cambridge Breast Cancer Research Unit was opened adjacent to the breast unit, thanks to an appeal by Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust which raised over £2 million for building and equipping it. The research unit provides a focus for the vast programme of clinical and translational research into breast cancer carried out at Addenbrooke's and enables a seamless link from the laboratory to clinical care. It has allowed researchers to strengthen significantly the clinical research that was already being done in the breast unit, and new projects being undertaken will result in improvements into patient management within the next five years.

Patient stories

To read how fundraising has benefited our patients go to the patient stories page.