We would like to extend our thanks the Community-Based Acupuncture Service (CBAS) to provide parity of access across the county and make the service more accessible to Cancer Patients.
But to do this and run the existing service we need fundraising ideas to help us raise £23,000.
The CBAS started in November 2017 and is run by two medical acupuncturists, Dr Carolyn Rubens (Former President of the British Medical Acupuncture Society and GP) and Anna Joseph (Chemotherapy Sister, SCC).
The need arose out of the increasing numbers of patients experiencing side effects from their cancer treatment such as joint pains, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, hot flushes and anxiety. The service is open to all Adults with a Cancer diagnosis in Sussex, all adult age ranges and across a multitude of different cancers.
The service has been very popular and run from the Centre in Brighton. In 2019 CBAS received referrals from consultants in Brighton, Worthing, Haywards Heath, Eastbourne as well as a number of GPs and CNSs in these areas. We saw 78 patients and delivered 375 acupuncture treatments. 92% of patients reported an improvement in their side effects following treatment. However, patients had to travel to Brighton to receive acupuncture.
Our proposal is to increase the service to other satellite clinics in Sussex to reduce travel and make the service more accessible and treat more patients. In addition, we are hoping to start (where appropriate) some group sessions, which will allow even more patients to benefit from acupuncture, help build a support network for patients, as it allows them to meet other patients and also learn some self-treatment techniques.
The COVID pandemic has meant we have been unable to deliver the service but were able to re-instate treatment briefly using Macmillan Covid 19 Recover and Restore risk assessment guidelines up until the beginning of the latest lockdown.
As a result of the COVID situation, we have 100+ patients on the waiting list but have closed referrals for the time being to avoid disappointment. Once restrictions are lifted and we re-open referrals we expect the demand to be very high as there will be a backlog of patients. We also plan to develop brand-new fundraising ideas to support this scheme.
Our current service costs £10,000 per annum. The increase in satellite clinics will cost a further £10,000 with the group sessions costing £3000. So far we have raised £14,126 towards our £23,000 target! That’s 61% of the total!
This year our amazing team of volunteer Business Ambassadors will be focusing their fundraising ideas and efforts on contributing to this campaign. Our Business Ambassadors support us in many ways, through providing pro bono services to SCF, helping to raise our profile, and some, where possible create their own fundraising events. This is the first time they will be concentrating their fundraising ideas and efforts on a specific project for the Sussex Cancer Fund.
