We are running to represent the Complementary Therapy Team at UCLH!

This year Haematology Cancer Care celebrates an incredible 30 years as a charity, funding the complementary therapy service for haematology patients at UCLH throughout that time. We provide massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, reiki and relaxation techniques to patients with haematological cancers and red cell conditions like sickle cell disease. We see out-patients while they’re having treatments like chemotherapy or blood exchanges or in our beautiful, peaceful therapy rooms. We visit patients on the wards as often as we can while they are receiving inpatient care and provide the therapies at the bedside.

We are privileged to witness just how much complementary therapy means to our patients. We see the time, space and support that it gives them during gruelling treatments and long hospital stays. We see what is means to get some peaceful sleep, to ease pain or discomfort, to feel a bit less nauseous or less anxious before or during a procedure. People often say how our sessions are the highlight of their hospital stay, providing human contact, comfort and a chance to have a break from what they’re going through. We are very much in demand!

Ceris’s story: "I have the great pleasure of leading the service as well as working with patients. I’ve worked in different NHS settings and hospice care as a complementary therapist since 1996 (near the end of my 20s) so that gives you a clue to just how old I am… I am definitely not sporty or athletic and failed to get beyond week 5 of couch to 5k during the pandemic! I started running again earlier this year to improve my health. One day with endorphins flooding my system at the end of a run I thought – if HCC can fund our service for 30 years then I can run 10K. It’ll be a challenge and I might come last but I’m looking forward to it. I was delighted when experienced runner Domini said she’d like to join me."

Domini’s story: "I’m the newest member of the complementary therapy team, having joined the service in July 2023. I am very much enjoying working with haematology in- and outpatients and helping them to feel a little more relaxed at an otherwise anxious and stressful time. I can see the difference having complementary therapies can make to their feeling of wellbeing and very grateful to HCC for supporting the work of complementary therapies at the hospital."

"I have previously enjoyed running and taking part in difference races, including the London, New York and Berlin Marathons although this was a long time ago! It is great to get my running shoes on again to run the 10K with Ceris on behalf of HCC."

Our London 10K journey has been a team effort with fantastic encouragement and support behind the scenes from our team mates Victoria, Paula and Winnie. And a special thank you to Victoria’s husband Rob, experienced marathon runner and HCC supporter who designed our training plans.

On behalf of the thousands of patients who’ve benefitted from complementary therapy over the last 30 years a massive thank you HCC from #TeamComplementaryTherapy

We’d be so grateful for any donations small or large. Every pound and penny helps HCC with the incredible work they do to improve the experience of people going through blood cancers and the lifelong challenges of living with red cell conditions.