How we help

Life changing conditions such as leukaemia, lymphoma and other blood disorders not only affect the individual but their families and those who are nearest to them including friends and work colleagues. We believe that patients across the South West deserve the best care, equipment and research.

Anyone can be diagnosed and we support everyone from 16 years old, who is referred to the Haematology Centre at the RD&E Hospital or the North Devon Hospital and their loved ones. Patients are referred from many areas of Devon and the South West and with their families often span an even greater distance.

Over the years ELF has listened to patients and their loved ones along with health professionals to develop and meet current and future needs. However, there is still much to do and your support will help us to achieve:

Delivery of Patient Support

Patient support is the cornerstone of our offering. Over the last 25 years we have supported patients and their loved ones though counselling, complimentary therapy, refreshments and more recently craft sessions for in-patients. Our support specialist who works at the Haematology Centre is a source of comfort to many providing emotional and practical advice in person and by phone. Aromatherapy sessions are another tonic and a £100 donation could fund 5 sessions for a patient, helping to reduce stress and improve well being. In addition Cafe ELF which is situated in the Centre provides hot and cold refreshments to both patients and loved ones.

Delivery of the ELF Physical Well Being Programme

The Centre was one of the first in the UK to understand the benefit of physical exercise as part of an in-patients’ treatment and recovery. An innovative programme which started in 2008 with the purchase of one wii console and a couple of fitness games has developed considerably. Now we offer patients physiotherapy instruction, a range of exercise equipment and more wii games consoles, accessories and games. Always looking to improve the programme the cost of the items range from £30 for a new wii game, £250 for a will console and accessories to £500 for additional exercise bikes, along with the costs associated with a part time physiotherapy instructor. Currently the service is only offered to in-patients but with your support we could look to widen the service to day-patients, which would require additional funding.

Provision of Specialist Equipment & Environment

We provide the funds for state of the art equipment which would not normally be bought by the NHS. This includes the FACS machine costing over £32,000 which analyses blood very quickly, reducing waiting times, anxiety for patients and their loved ones, allowing treatment if required to start straight away. Other equipment includes ambulatory chemotherapy pumps enabling patients to receive treatment in the comfort of their own home. These pumps which help patients lead a more normal life and cost in the region of £1,500 each. In addition we have agreed to renovate all 10 isolation rooms at the Haematology Centre over a period of time which is anticipated to cost over £12,000, including new flat screen TV’s and other creature comforts.

Funding of Specialist Research

There have been many great and important medical advances in the last 25 years. For example, the 20 years survival rate in 1987 for leukaemia was negligible but today this has increased to over 40%. Lymphoma survival rates have also improved but there is still much to achieve. We support haematological research often locally through the Peninsula Medical School. For example we are funding a 3 year myeloma project which is a £30,000 commitment.  We also continue to support nursing staff and junior doctors who are undertaking specialist training including professional qualifications and degrees or courses which will benefit patients and provide a wealth of knowledge for their peers.

Please note above are examples of what your fundraising could support. ELF endeavours not to restrict your fundraising to specific items as we wish to fund the most urgent requirements that will best help people with leukaemia, lymphoma and other blood disorders and their loved ones.
 
We receive no government or lottery funding so all the money raised is down to the charity’s wonderful supporters. We are here to help, please help us make a real difference. Donate securely online now.