'a BIG THANK YOU for their generous contributions in helping to make the KatCanDo 2008 ball a success!'...more>

KatCanDo, the story so far…  

Following treatment for cancer of the colon at Frimley Park Hospital in 2003, Kate Coles and her friends decided to set up a charity to help local cancer patients. The Charity Commission registered the Charity in 2004 and its aim is “to help cancer patients under the care of hospitals in North East Hampshire and South West Surrey, by raising funds for the provision of equipment and facilities not normally provided by the NHS”.

After an extremely successful first year,  we have now raised over £120,000 since the charity was formed in March 2004. Our 2005 calendar, ‘Doctors Uncovered’, has been our biggest fund-raiser and sold nearly 5,000 copies. Our 2008 Countryside Calendar featuring photos of local scenes throughout the year is now available.

We started 2005 with a successful Charity Ball. We had runners in the Reading half-marathon and the London Marathon and 5 runners completed the Great North Run for us. Our friends in the Brussels branch of KatCanDo held a sponsored bike ride and we had a stall and a float (which won “Best of the Rest”) at the Frimley Green Carnival. We were the beneficiary of two charity quiz nights organised by local businesses and a bikini-clad sponsored car wash in Devizes! Our 100 Club is now well established and pays out a £50 prize each month.

We are thrilled that we have been chosen as the Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd Sports and Social Clubs 'Nominated Charity' for the next 12months-see presentation picture opposite. We are also delighted to learn that KatCanDo has been chosen as the British and Commonwealth Women's Club of Brussels British Charity for 2006.

Under the guidance of Dr Massouh, Consultant Radiologist, who is a trustee of KatCanDo and our Medical Adviser, we have provided 4 artificial larynxes for patients with head and neck cancer, contributed half the cost of a Sentinel Node Probe, which is used in the treatment of breast cancer. and we have funded the start of a Palliative Care Reflexology Service at Frimley Park Hospital.

We  helped to buy a blood-analysing machine for use on patients suffering from leukaemia and lymphatic cancers, an ultrasound probe which will enable early and more specific diagnosis of prostate cancer and we are  providing a scanner for patients undergoing chemotherapy in the Haematology Day Unit. We have also bought a pressure-relieving seating system and two syringe drivers for patients at the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. Most recently we have agreed to purchase a Toshiba Nemio Ultrasound machine for the rapid access gynaecology service at Basingstoke & North Hants Hospital.

Sadly, Kate died peacefully on Monday 6th March 2006 at the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, Farnham after a brave fight against cancer.  Steve, Gregory, and Ben wish to thank the staff of Phyllis Tuckwell for the wonderful care and treatment that Kate received. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.  Kate provided the inspiration for the successful KatCanDo charity, which will continue to raise funds for cancer patients.