User:Helen Rollason/Helen Rollason Cancer Charity

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The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity was founded in 1999 – it is the legacy of Helen Rollason MBE, who died of cancer aged 43. Her vision was to provide support for cancer patients' emotional well-being as well as treating them medically. As a result of her vision, today the charity offers cancer support and funds research into the disease.

Cancer support
The charity operates a network of four cancer support centres in the south east. The centres offer a range of complementary therapies in an environment of peace and tranquility, including reflexology, aromatherapy, Bach flower remedies, plus counselling, manual lymphatic drainage and support groups. The centres are for patients with all types of cancer at all stages: whether newly diagnosed or longer term, throughout treatment and after treatment is completed.

Two of the charity's cancer support centres are based in Chelmsford, Essex, one in Sawbridgeworth, Herts and one in Edmonton, North Middlesex, London.

Cancer research laboratory
The Helen Rollason Research Laboratory was opened in April 2003. It is located within and managed in collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford, Essex.

Pioneering work at the laboratory continues to gather pace. The charity's team of scientists are undertaking research into cancer, using freshly collected tumour specimens and blood samples from cancer patients. In November 2009, the team of scientists made a breast cancer breakthrough.

The work of the scientists would not be possible without the local help from many professionals based at Broomfield Hospital and other local hospitals, as well as the Breast Unit at the Chelmsford and Essex Centre. The researchers also work in close collaboration with fellow scientists nationally and internationally.

The charity's aim is to gain a greater understanding of cancer from these research projects, potentially resulting in better treatment options for patients, better prognosis and higher survival rates.

Clinical drug trials
The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity has enabled around 2000 cancer patients to participate in pioneering clinical drug trials in the last eight years. A team of research nurses work together providing care for cancer patients at the two research centres: Broomfield Hospital in Essex, and North Middlesex University Hospital in London. In the last eight years the research nurses have been involved in trialling a total of 14 new agents which are now on the market and readily available.

The Helen Rollason research nurses provide cancer patients with access to treatments which may be licensed but are not yet available on the NHS or are awaiting NICE approval or are simply a novel new agent. There are currently 40 drug trials taking place at the two research centres in Essex and London.

Fundraising
In order for the charity to provide its services to cancer patients, it relies heavily on donations from the public and fundraising campaigns. A team of fundraisers organise events in a bid to raise money for the services provided by the charity: from skydives and treks to tea parties and golf days. There's something for everyone.

Shops
The charity has a network of shops in the Herts, Essex and London areas which are a vital source of funding for providing cancer support centres and the research programme.With 11 shops in Barkingside, Braintree, Burnham-on-Crouch, Chingford, Collier Row, Danbury, Ongar, Sawbridgeworth, South Woodford, Wickford and Witham. In addition, the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity shops provide the community with information about the charity, its services, as well as up-to-date information on fundraising events.