Earl Spencer opens new Kettering cancer support centre
- Published
Earl Spencer (right) cut the ribbon to the new cancer support centre
Earl Spencer has officially opened a new cancer support centre at an NHS hospital in Northamptonshire.
The facility at Kettering General Hospital started seeing patients in May and has helped about 1,220 people.
The centre, which is run by Macmillan Cancer Support, was officially unveiled with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and cake.
It provides practical and emotional support, welfare benefits advice and signposting to other support services.
Earl Spencer said the centre would help people "come to terms" with what cancer meant to them.
He said: "Like any family in England or Britain, I have been touched by cancer in my family and also in friendship.
"It's the dread of hearing somebody has cancer. Some people want to talk about it and some want to keep it a private moment.
"But, whatever your view on how you're going to treat it, you can come and talk to Macmillan about it."
The Macmillan Cancer Support Centre opened its doors in May last year
Earl Spencer's family home of Althorp is in Northamptonshire and he is also patron of Cynthia Spencer Hospice in Northampton.
The new centre brings together vital cancer information and support services in one facility, the charity said.
Kettering General Hospital described it as "state-of-the art" and "shaped by local people living with cancer".
The facility at Kettering General Hospital will offer cancer information and support services
Ms Atkinson, Macmillan's partnership manager for Northamptonshire, said: "Being diagnosed with cancer can affect so many different areas of your life, from relationships to finances.
"The new Macmillan Cancer Support Centre will support people with all those non-clinical needs, to enable them to live well with cancer, not just survive."
Ruth Giles, Macmillan head of nursing for cancer, said: "Anyone with any questions or concerns about cancer can just drop in, no appointment needed, and speak to our specialist team who are there to provide support from the moment of diagnosis."
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