Charity Donation Extends Sarcoma Service

12th November 2020

The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust is delighted to be working in partnership with BOOM, a Northern Ireland charity dedicated to supporting patients suffering from sarcoma cancer. A significant donation to BOOM through a wonderful tribute from an incredibly generous lady has allowed  18.75 additional hours of Clinical Nurse Specialist support to the existing sarcoma cancer service within the Trust.

Leona Rankin, BOOM Trustee has said,

“This is a very exciting time for BOOM and we would like to pay special tribute to the lady who made this possible.  A former patient, who sadly lost her life to sarcoma, who continues to be sorely missed by Boom, her family and friends, made a generous donation to the charity. Whilst she wished to remain anonymous, she and her family hoped that the money would  be used for the benefit of other sarcoma patients in N.I. through the provision of Clinical Nurse Specialist services.”

Miss Sandra McAllister, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Regional Clinical Lead for Sarcoma said;

“ Clinical Nurse Specialists have a very important role in the care of patients with sarcoma cancer, supporting them and their families through complex diagnostic and treatment pathways. Patients benefit greatly from their advocacy and support, and they are essential members of the multidisciplinary team. These additional hours to the Sarcoma CNS service are very welcome, and provide much-needed time to further help and support sarcoma patients across Northern Ireland. As a team, we are so grateful for the kindness of this very generous bequest, and would like to thank the BOOM Foundation for their support.”

The Boom Foundation was established in April 2013 and remains the only charity in Northern Ireland dedicated to supporting patients suffering from sarcoma cancer.  In 2017, the charity was recognised by the then Prime Minister, Theresa May.  In a personal letter sent to Leona Rankin, Trustee, Prime Minister Theresa May said:

“The Boom Foundation is changing the lives of hundreds of people living with sarcoma across Northern Ireland.”

Boom also facilitates the only support group in Northern Ireland.  The support group, which is held quarterly, provides patients and their families with an open forum allowing them to discuss any problems or concerns that they may have. The support group is not “typical” in the sense that it is run like a ’motivational workshop’ with professionally-led discussions and key speakers.  Find out more about BOOM by visiting their website https://theboomfoundation.co.uk

Picture shows L to R: Caroline Lynas, Macmillan: Gemma Bowman, Saracoma Clinical Nurse Specialist; Stephen Sinclair, Consultant; Leona Rankin, BOOM; Joanne Smith, Boom, MaryJo Thompson, Assistant Director of Cancer Services

Picture shows L to R: Caroline Lynas, Macmillan: Gemma Bowman, Saracoma Clinical Nurse Specialist; Stephen Sinclair, Consultant; Leona Rankin, BOOM; Joanne Smith, Boom, MaryJo Thompson, Assistant Director of Cancer Services