Sarah, Duchess of York praises ‘heroes’ working at Bristol cancer unit for teenagers and young adults

Last week, the Teenage Cancer Trust unit, also known as ‘Area 61,’ hosted a 10^th anniversary celebration for patients, families and hospital staff. The Duchess sent a heartfelt video message honouring the occasion, which was shown as a surprise to attendees.  

The day consisted of tea, cake and entertainment, including a performance by Teenage Cancer Trust supporters, the Port of Bristol Shanty Crew singers, who have a personal connection to the charity. Joining them was the Trust’s resident poet, who offered individual poetry sessions, and a magician who captivated the room.  

The gathering celebrated the incredible difference that the specialist unit, and its nurses and youth support workers, have made to the lives of young people with cancer across the South West.  

The Duchess of York, who has herself been through treatment for breast cancer and skin cancer, apologised for missing the celebration in her video, but sent her best wishes to the staff and young people and encouraged everyone to celebrate “what an incredible job they’ve done.” 

She has also reflected on the unit and its impact over the years, highlighting that before the charity established itself in the region, there were no specialist provisions for young people with cancer in the South West. She thanked the charity’s volunteers, supporters, nurses and everyone from the NHS who “work so hard to save, and bring magic into, teenagers lives.” 

Area 61, designed for 16- to 24-year-olds, was officially opened by the Duchess of York in 2014. It is one of 28 Teenage Cancer Trust units in NHS hospitals across the UK, where young people facing cancer can feel at home, meet others their age, welcome family and friends, and get the very best care from a dedicated team of specialist nurses and youth support workers.  

Bryony Bateman 35, had cancer at age 23 back in 2012, before the opening of the teen unit. She met the Duchess of York at the official opening back in 2014 with her husband Neal and 3-day old daughter, Eva. Bryony is reflecting on that time.  

Bryony said: “It was such a pleasure to have been involved in the media campaign in 2013 and 2014. Personally, raising over £6000 for the charity over the last 12 years along with being in a voice for body awareness in young adults. My husband Neal, daughter Eva and I had the pleasure of meeting the Duchess of York at the opening of Area 61. It is so lovely to hear how the unit has helped so many young adults over the last 10 years.” 

Alongside Area 61 opening a decade ago, Adolescent Ward 35 in Bristol Children’s Hospital also opened its doors in 2014, contributing to the upgrade in teen and young adult cancer services in the South West. This additional Teenage Cancer Trust unit is designed for 11- to 16-year-olds.

Sarah, Duchess of York, Honorary Patron of Teenage Cancer Trust, said:  

“It’s incredible to be celebrating 10 years of Teenage Cancer Trust in the South West and the difference the units and staff have made to young people with cancer in the region is phenomenal.  

“The units provide outstanding age-appropriate specialist care, and also foster a sense of normality, providing a home away from home, which is so important for young people who are going through cancer treatment. 

“And of course the brilliant Teenage Cancer Trust and NHS staff are making a difference to young people with cancer each and every day. 

“Your hard work and dedication has made a huge and lasting difference to so many young people and their families, and on the 10^th anniversary we thank you for this, and of course celebrate, because you are all absolute heroes.”   

Teenage Cancer Trust units are the only nationwide network of specialist treatment centres supporting young people with cancer. Before 2009, specialist care and support for 13- to 24-year-olds with cancer in the South West wasn’t available, meaning young people might’ve gone through treatment without ever meeting someone else their age.  

The units, and further improvements in cancer care for young people in the region, have been made possible thanks to support from local businesses, communities, Trusts and Foundations and families who came together to fundraise for Teenage Cancer Trust.   

Among them was Ella Redman’s family and friends who raised £266,000 between 2012 and 2014. Jo Redman, Ella’s mum was there to attend the BHOC unit’s 10th birthday celebration earlier this month and to honour her daughter’s memory.  

Jo said: “This unit did not exist when Ella was treated for cancer back in 2010, so at the age of 18 she had to be treated on the adult ward and often felt lonely and isolated with no other young people around her. She was delighted to be asked for her input into the designs for the new Teenage Cancer Trust unit and came up with a number of useful suggestions and ideas, that only a young person with a cancer diagnosis would have been able to think of.  For example, she suggested that any mirrors should be easy to cover up, so that young people do not have to face looking at the differences being caused to their bodies by treatment. Ella also went on to launch the overall fundraising campaign for Teenage Cancer Trust and at a prestigious event held at the Society of Merchant Ventures Hall in Bristol.” 

Claire Harrison, Teenage Cancer Trust Lead Nurse at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre and South West Children, Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Operational Delivery Network, said:   

“It’s amazing to be celebrating 10 years of the unit - it’s hard to believe that it’s been here for so long and come so far. The difference made to young people, by giving them a space to be themselves, get specialised care, tailored support and just be in a relaxed environment around those of a similar age cannot be underestimated.   

“The celebration was amazing, it was especially wonderful to have young people join us. Big thank you to the Bristol Shanty Crew singers, magician Daniel Chard, who entertained around the room and incredible in-house poet Beth Calverley too. It was lovely to have other Teenage Cancer Trust staff members on the unit as well as hospital staff coming in when they could, all marking the great occasion of the amazing unit in Bristol.” 

Approximately 170 13–24-year-olds are newly diagnosed with cancer each year in the South West, with 55% being treated at BHOC. It costs £620,912 to fund Teenage Cancer Trust services in the region each year.

The unit celebration also acted as a time to reflect on its impact. Liz Child is remembering her son, Tom, who was treated on the unit. 

Liz Child said: “We were all so grateful to find the specialist unit in Bristol. A relapse in Tom’s cancer after 10 years disease free was devastating. The unit became our safe space, a safe port in an almighty storm.  

“The space provided us as a family to be together for fun, laughter safety and solace alongside other young people facing hideous times. The staff, many funded by Teenage Cancer Trust were incredible in their professional roles but always going beyond that and supporting patients and the family around them. 

“Raising money after Tom’s death for Teenage Cancer Trust seemed natural and obvious to us. With no particular number in mind, we are now fast approaching £93,000 in seven years, and I suspect we will keep going. With the love and dedication of our family and friends to organise and support these events we keep Tom’s name alive and help other young people and their families who will face this cancer journey.” 

To find out how to support or fundraise for Teenage Cancer Trust in the South West region, email [email protected].