A thousand unique 'flowers' to go on display at Ipswich Hospital
Money raised from the blooms will go on the new breast cancer centre in Ipswich.
Over a thousand unique 'flowers' have been hand crafted for a display outside Ipswich Hospital to raise money for a new breast cancer centre in the town.
The 'Blooms for Blossom' will be 'planted' in front of the hospital throughout this month, and each flower will be available to take home at the end of the display.
It's been created by Suffolk Ironworks, with each bloom hand made and stamped with a number.
Anyone buying a flower will receive a certificate to go with it too,
All the money will go to the Blossom Appeal.
Currently breast cancer patients have to visit different clinics and locations throughout Ipswich Hospital, often having to change and get dressed before moving to a different space.
Having one main breast cancer centre will mean patients can stay in the same place for all their appointments.
The new centre will also offer quiet spaces for patients receiving their diagnosis, areas for young people and male patients, as well as a garden area - which will feature some of the flowers.
Kim Collingridge, lead breast cancer clinical nurse specialist at ESNEFT, said: “Bringing all the departments of the breast service together under one roof will have a positive impact on patient experience.
“It will enable us, as professionals, to work more efficiently and effectively to make the patients visit to the department more personalised, prevent long waits to be seen and enable us to give individuals the time they need and deserve.”
Funding for the new centre has been ongoing during the last four years, with a total of £5.3m needed to complete the project.
Mandy Jordan, associate director for Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with the generosity of the public for our appeal, but we still have some way to go. We still need to raise £850,000 to pay for this vital one-stop breast care centre.
“We’re so excited with Blooms for Blossom. These flowers are so special and make the perfect present, tribute or just as a beautiful addition to your garden, but they’ll also be helping to fund such an important appeal.”
More than 13,000 women are invited to Ipswich Hospital each year for their routine screening, with an additional 300 women referred by their GP each month.
Allison Chaplin, general manager for breast services at ESNEFT, said: “The demand for services is increasing all the time, as we are better informed about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. As well as developing the new breast care centre, we’re developing services for patients, such as our new breast pain clinic we’re launching soon. We want patients to be able to get the right help at the appropriate place when they need it.”
The full installation of all 1,000 flowers will be completed during October – Breast Cancer Awareness month – with the final shape of the display yet to be revealed.