Christopher Biggins marks the start of the build on the new TCT unit at Addenbrooke’s

TV legend Christopher Biggins attended a turf cutting ceremony today to mark the beginning of major building work on the first state-of-the-art specialist cancer unit for young people in East Anglia.

 

 

 

The specialist unit will cost £2.5 million to complete and will be in the space occupied by the existing C9 ward. It will cater for cancer patients from East Anglia and surrounding areas aged between 13 and 24. It will provide 11 in-patient beds plus open-plan social and recreation areas; a kitchen and dining area for patients; digital lighting systems; broadband connectivity and cutting edge computing, gaming, music and entertainment equipment.

 

Laura Abbas, 25, was treated on an adult ward at Addenbrooke’s for lymphoma and believes the new unit will be a great benefit. She said: “the new unit will help young people in East Anglia feel like teenagers or young adults again, helping them live more of a normal life.”

 

Dr Gareth Goodier, chief executive, said: “Teenagers and young adults with cancer have particular needs and the trust is delighted to see building work start on this unit. Past and present patients have had significant input into the facility’s design and we hope it will not only provide the right care and support while undergoing treatment, but it will allow teenagers to be teenagers.”

 

Actor and television personality Christopher Biggins comments about being involved: “I have been a supporter of Teenage Cancer Trust for many years now and I am so pleased with how much it has grown and achieved over the years. This new unit will be a very special place and will really give young people from across East Anglia a fighting chance against cancer.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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