Olney charity donates 100 skincare products to hospital to support radiotherapy patients
A cancer charity based in Olney is launching a pilot project to offer hospital patients additional skincare support during their recuperation from radiotherapy.
Ailsa’s Aim, which is based at Stanley Court in Olney, supports people affected by cancer and families with babies in neonatal care.
For the pilot project it is supporting Northampton General Hospital with high-quality MooGoo skincare products which can be used by radiotherapy patients who have had skin reactions to targeted radiation treatment used to treat cancer.
The products can be used in addition to those which the hospital can prescribe.
The chief executive and co-founder of Ailsa's Aim, Sara Whatley, said: “Following my husband Dr Niven Whatley's recent radiotherapy treatment at Northampton General Hospital for bowel cancer we identified an opportunity to support patients in a practical way.
“During radiotherapy treatment, skincare becomes incredibly important, yet many specialist products are expensive and out of reach for people already facing the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis.
“Working alongside the hospital’s radiotherapy team we are launching a pilot scheme to provide patients with complimentary MooGoo skincare products.
“MooGoo products are widely recommended for people undergoing radiotherapy because they are gentle, fragrance-free, and suitable for sensitive skin, and in some areas are even available on prescription.”
Initially, Ailsa's Aim has funded around 100 products to trial the scheme, and these were presented to the hospital on August 20.
The pilot will enable the charity to understand demand, gather feedback, and explore whether donations could become a longer-term initiative for patients receiving treatment at Northampton General.
The hospital’s radiotherapy manager Jane Wilkinson, said: “We want to say a big thank you to Sara and Niven, and Ailsa’s Aim, for supporting our patients with this fantastic gift of high-quality skincare products for our patients.
“When people have radiotherapy then can have skin reactions - sometimes quite long after the treatment itself - depending on their skin type and where on their body the radiotherapy treatment was needed.
“While the techniques we use are highly targeted some people will still have itching, irritation, and soreness, so these products will be helpful to help sooth those conditions.
“We have checked the products and are happy they are suitable for our patients.
"They will provide some additional skincare support at a difficult time for patients and because they are free it will ease some of the financial strains people experience around their cancer diagnoses and treatment.”
Ailsa’s Aim has previously supported Northampton General Hospital in other ways, including radar keys to support patients who need to access disabled toilets in the community and by comfort packs for patients organised through the Macmillan Support Centre.