Cancer charity donates £250,000 diagnostic machine to hospital

State-of-the-art cancer diagnostics equipment has been donated to Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital following a fundraising campaign by fashion designer outlet Labels for Cares.

The introduction of the Olympus Evis EUS endosonographysystem is expected to enhance the diagnostic capabilities at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, ensuring that patients receive accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.

The required £250,000 was donated to the hospital’s charity ELHT&Me, with a special event held to showcase the equipment.

Dr Venkat Mahesh, clinical lead for endoscopy at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This is an advanced state-of-the-art diagnostic endoscopy with the help of ultrasound waves and other associated technologies to accurately identify, define, and stage cancer. 

“It will also help with obtaining tissue samples, which would aid in accurate diagnosis and appropriate surgical and chemotherapeutic interventions. This is particularly suited for cancers of the pancreas, bile duct, liver, oesophagus, and stomach.”

In 2020, donations by Labels for Cares, which stands for Cancer Assessment Rapid Early Support, supported the introduction of two endoscopy machines at Burnley General Hospital, which have already scanned thousands of patients, providing swift results and utilising the latest technology to improve patient outcomes.

The organisation was set up after one of its founding members successfully battled cancer. Its aim is to help improve cancer survival rates in East Lancashire by promoting access to early cancer screening. 

Anthony Fairclough, co-founder of Labels for Cares, said: “Building on the success of the two existing machines that have scanned thousands of people in East Lancashire now with our investment to £325,000, this new addition underscores our commitment to providing swift results and leveraging cutting-edge technology. We are proud to support the Trust in its mission to deliver the best possible care for patients.”