Donations in memory of Jan Denby fund cancer ward equipment
After Jan Denby passed away on September 12 2013, aged just 57, her family and friends donated an incredible £3,235 towards new equipment at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hedley Atkins Ward to honour her memory.
ECG machine provided through donations in Jan Denby's memory
Jan’s story
In 2011, Jan was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after feeling unwell for a long time. She had a hysterectomy and went through several courses of chemotherapy, but sadly the treatments were not able to save her.
‘We were all so impressed with the care she got at Guy’s,’ says her sister, Karen Mountier. ‘The nurses were so caring. Jan was claustrophobic, so when she had to have a CT scan, they went out of their way to sedate her and make her comfortable.’
Before leaving the hospital, she recorded the name of every nurse and helper who had cared for her to make sure she could post a card thanking them all.
‘That was Jan,’ says Karen. ‘She made friends wherever she went – and the hospital was no different.’
After Karen had organised the funeral, donations flooded in from Jan’s many friends and relations, keen to remember their fun-loving, caring friend. The final total was an incredible £3,235.
Vital new equipment
Whilst at the hospital, Jan noticed that the ward needed some new equipment.
The donations have been put towards buying a new ECG machine, so more patients can continue to receive better care.
Sister Joanna Bate of the Hedley Atkins Ward says: ‘We have chosen to buy a new ECG machine, which is a very expensive piece of equipment which we usually wouldn’t be able to buy. These machines are a way of monitoring heart rhythms and are able to detect any abnormalities.’
Adam says, 'The ECG machine means we no longer need to borrow another machine from neighbouring wards and will give us easy access to equipment that can quickly and accurately assist in patient diagnosis and treatment.'
Through this gift left in memory of Jan, the hospital has also bought two Dinamap machines, which are used several times a day to monitor the vital signs of all patients on a ward. They are extremely accurate at measuring blood pressure and oxygen levels, even if the patient moves.
Adam Cass, senior staff nurse on the ward, tells us about the Dinamap machines.
'The observation machines have enabled us to have quick access to accurate vital signs for patients. Having an extra two on the unit means we are able to use them on multiple patients, and, given how acute the patients on Hedley tend to be, this has helped significantly in the diagnosis and management of very ill patients.'
‘Fundraising really matters’
Donations from supporters enable Guy’s and St Thomas’ to go above and beyond the call of duty. ECG machines and Dinamap machines improve the lives of patients every day by facilitating better care and allowing staff to respond more quickly to problems when they arise. The generosity of Janet, and her friends and family, has made all this possible.
‘We're so grateful for this incredibly generous donation,’ says Sister Joanna. ‘Fundraising really matters as it helps us buy things that make a real difference to our patients. It’s often the little things that count.’
'The new equipment is fantastic,' says Adam. 'It replaces older equipment which means that the overall patient experience is much improved. The family’s generosity is hugely appreciated by both staff and patients alike.'
Jan's brother Chris recently made a further donation to the Hedley Atkin's Ward in memory of his sister which was matched by his employer, raising almost £600.
Please note, unfortunately, we are unable to take any telephone calls or process any donations by telephone for the immediate and foreseeable future. You can still donate by credit/debit card and/or make a regular gift by Direct Debit. You can also send a cheque too. Thank you very much for your support. We hugely appreciate it.
Go Online through ourdonation page, make a one-off payment or set up a monthly direct debit.
Or by bank transfer, please contact our Supporter Care team via email info@supportgstt.org.uk and we can provide the relevant details.
If you would like to send a donation by cheque, please make this payable to Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital Charity.
If you can include a covering letter with your contact details as well as reasons for donations and what you would like it to be put towards, we will write to you and let you know when the donation has been received.
Please send the cheque to this address:
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Fundraising Team
Fundraising Team
Virginia Woolf Building
22 Kingsway, 2nd Floor
London
Can you claim Gift Aid on my donation?
Your donations are only eligible for Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer and we have a record of your postcode and donation amount. You must also tick the Gift Aid box on our sponsorship forms (Virgin Money Giving / Just Giving) and donation page.
Please note that we are unable to claim Gift Aid on ticket sales, raffle sales, corporate sponsorship, and sale of goods or auction proceeds.
Can I donate to a specific ward/department within the hospital?
If you would like to help a specific ward or department, we will do our best to find the most appropriate fund for your donation to go towards.
Please note that once a donation has been allocated to a specific fund, we are unable to change this at a later date.
Contact us via email at info@supportgstt.org.uk. Please note that once a donation has been allocated to a specific fund, we are unable to change this at a later date.
If you would like to discuss this more over the phone and find out how we can help, please email our Supporter Care Team at info@supportgstt.org.uk.
What is your charity number?
Guy's and St Thomas' Charity. Registered Charity No. 1160316.
Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 9341980.
Evelina London Children's Hospital is part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.
What happens to my personal details?
All the personal information about our supporters we collect is processed and stored in accordance with GDPR 2018, and all other applicable data protection laws and regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, the Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulations (PECR).
If you need a new tin, collection bucket or security seal sticker, then please let us know by contacting us via email at info@supportgstt.org.uk and we can send a replacement out to you. Please note, we currently have limited stock on some items, and there may be some delays with deliveries.
How can I volunteer?
Fundraising volunteers are vital to our work at Guy's and St Thomas’ Hospital Charity. You can volunteer with us on events, awareness days, in general or even work with the Fundraising Team.
All our opportunities support our fundraising work and activities, we do not organise volunteering within the hospital. If this is what you are interested in please visit the Guy’s and St Thomas' volunteering page.
Policy for returning donations
We work hard to ensure you have the best supporter journey when you make a donation. Unfortunately, under charity law (The Charities Act 2011) we are unable to refund donations, other than in specific circumstances.
If you believe that a donation you have made should be refunded, then please email info@supportgstt.org.uk and we can advise on what we can do.
Well done Tony, you are a truely amazing little soul!
Tony! What an inspiration you are, so young, so brave and doing incredible things. Keep going and well done for absolutely smashing your target; it is going to an amazing cause and we love watching your journey. You can do it! X x
Dear Tony, what a beautiful, special, precious little boy you are. You are very brave and strong. You are an inspiration to us all. I hope your legs feel good and help you take on your challenge. You can do it!!👍🥰 I've donated because you made me so proud. Lots of love always Jude xxx
You are such an amazing superhero! Keep up the wonderful things you are doing!😀👍🚑🏃
Well done Tony on your 10km walk. We followed your progress. You are a brave little boy. We wish you well! Love xx
You are amazing and an inspiration to everyone - there's nothing you can't do or achieve in this life! Thank you so much
Caroline and Sarah, at The Cardiology Kids launch party in the park
George with his family
Thank you for everything you are doing. So proud of our NHS - heroes don’t all wear capes! Thank you for everything you do for us all and keep as safe as you can all of you. xx
You are all heroes and should be proud of yourselves as we are of you. No words of thanks can ever express the debt of gratitude.
You have looked after my daughter with such care, too which I am eternally grateful. Thank you.
I had my cancer treatment there, undoubtedly saved my life. Thank you.
I was born at Guy's hospital in 1974, and was treated in St Thomas' in 2003, where I was seriously ill for 13 weeks. Thank you for not only giving me life, but saving it too! X
Guy's and St Thomas' have looked after me so well over many years. Thank you for all those years and for everything you are doing in an unimaginably difficult time. Thinking of you and your families at this time. x
You saved my life when I had cancer. Thank you for then and thank you for now. x
The NHS saved my wife’s life 3 times. We love the nurses, doctors, specialists, secretaries - everyone. You are heroes. Sending hope and love.
You are all amazing and will be remembered in history. Stay strong.
Thank you isn’t enough, so a thousand times more.
You are all amazing and do an incredible job. Filled with gratitude and heartfelt thanks.
You are all phenomenal. Thank you so much.
Wishing you well during this crisis. You are all heroes and deserve the support of the whole nation.
From one nurse to all the others all over the world fighting Covid-19 and all the health professionals, I know this word and term is overused but this time it is a real meaning in the truest form of the word: You are all LEGENDS!
How can we ever repay you for what you are doing for us? Thinking of you all. The NHS means everything. Make sure you're looking after your own wellbeing as much as possible. Take care x
You are all genuine heroes. Each and every one of you!
You are all wonderful, heroic people. You save lives every day and you really, really make a difference. We salute you and send big hugs to keep you going. xx