A patient at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is on a mission to raise £19,000 to purchase an additional scalp cooling machine for the hospital’s Williams Day Unit, helping more cancer patients maintain their hair during chemotherapy.
Lee Beetles, who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, has begun an intensive two-year course of chemotherapy and immunotherapy at the hospital. Lung cancer remains a major health challenge in the UK, with around 49,200 new cases every year, more than 130 every day (2017-2019), and is the third most common cancer, accounting for 13% of all new cancer cases.
During his treatment, Lee discovered that the Williams Day Unit currently has only one scalp cooling machine, which can serve just two patients at a time, despite treating around 70-80 chemotherapy patients daily. Scalp cooling, also known as cold capping, is a clinically proven method to help reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss, significantly improving emotional well-being and confidence during treatment.
Lee said:“One of the hardest things about chemotherapy is losing your hair. It’s not just about vanity; it affects how you feel about yourself when everything else in life already feels overwhelming. Knowing that something as simple as a scalp cooling cap can make such a big difference inspired me to raise funds for another machine. This isn’t just for me; it’s for all the patients who want that extra bit of dignity and confidence during their treatment.”
To reach his fundraising goal, Lee has organised two community events, including a dinner and dance evening on Saturday 13 September, starting from 6:30pm at The Hunters Meet, Hatfield Heath. Guests can expect an evening of dinner and dancing, featuring a fun casino, raffle, and auction.
The second event is a charity football event, taking place on Saturday 20 September from 5pm at the Sports Academy, Fyfield (Ongar, Essex). This promises to be a fantastic local football event to bring the community together in support of the cause.
Natalie Tarrant, head of The Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Charity, said:
“We are so grateful to Lee for turning such a personal challenge into something that will benefit so many others. The Williams Day Unit cares for hundreds of cancer patients each month, and an additional scalp cooling machine would make a real difference to the experience of those undergoing chemotherapy.”
Members of the public who wish to support Lee’s campaign can donate via the official fundraising page: www.gofundme.com/f/cancer-cold-scalp-cap