About us Areas we support Leeds Cancer Appeal Donate Help us raise £1 million to improve care and treatment for patients at Leeds Cancer Centre. Your support will bring cutting‑edge technology to Leeds Cancer Centre, removing the need for closed masks and eliminating permanent tattoos for children and young people. By expanding Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT) and introducing MapRT planning software - the first of its kind in the UK - we can make radiotherapy gentler, safer and less distressing for thousands of people. Together, we can improve treatment and care for patients with cancer "The mask was one of the hardest parts of treatment. I found it very claustrophobic. It caused a huge amount of anxiety going in every day for treatment." Joanna's Story “After the first week, there was a weird smell, and I could see a purple light if I closed my eyes. It made me very nauseous and throw up in my mask. It made me dread it." Annabelle's Story We need your support to improve the radiotherapy experience Kinder, less invasive radiotherapy processes are available, and we believe that patients at Leeds Cancer Centre deserve the best possible experience. With the help of people like you, we have already started to invest in Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT) for breast cancer patients, who are already seeing the benefits. We need your help to raise £1 million to extend SGRT technology to patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy, like Annabelle and Joanna. Read more: Leeds Hospitals Charity launches £1 million fundraising appeal to transform radiotherapy treatment for cancer patients What is SGRT and Map RT? Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT) uses highly accurate 3D camera technology, placed around the treatment room, to track a patient's body surface during radiotherapy, using real-time surface imaging to ensure patients are positioned correctly for treatment. MapRT utlises camera technology to create a full-body 3D model to support highly precise radiotherapy planning, so clinicians can see how the patient’s body will interact with the radiotherapy machine. Leeds will be the first Radiotherapy centre in the UK to offer MapRT planning software. This means: Open-face masks can be used, reducing fear and claustrophobia No permanent tattoos, as positioning can be monitored using surface imaging Improved accuracy and safety, with radiation delivered precisely where needed Shorter appointment and planning times, reducing time spent in hospital How your gift can make a difference £100 could help bring Leeds to the forefront of UK cancer treatment by funding the expansion of SGRT across three radiotherapy machines. Donate now £30 could help fund technology that automatically stops the radiotherapy machine if a patient moves, keeping treatment incredibly safe. Donate now £15 could help reduce the fear and anxiety patients feel when they have to wear tight, claustrophobic radiotherapy masks. Donate now Frequently Asked Questions 1. How much money do you need to raise? Our target is £1 million. 2. What happens if you raise more than is needed? If the total amount raised is more than our target, then the funds raised will be spent where they are needed most across Leeds Teaching Hospitals. 3. What is Leeds Cancer Centre? Leeds Cancer Centre can be found in Bexley Wing at St James’s University Hospital, which includes the chemotherapy day unit, radiotherapy service and in-patient wards, specialising in various adult cancers. Also at the Leeds Cancer Centre is ward J94, the Young Adult Unit, for patients aged 18-25. Children with cancer will often have their main appointments at Leeds Children’s Hospital but those needing radiotherapy will go to Leeds Cancer Centre. Some cancer services, under the Leeds Cancer Centre brand, are also delivered at other hospital sites. In Yorkshire, someone is diagnosed with cancer approximately every 17 minutes. Leeds Cancer Centre treats around 17,000 people annually, with over 8,000 of those receiving radiotherapy treatment, this includes around 80 children and young people who require radiotherapy for cancer treatment. Last year alone, more than 50,000 people with suspected cancer symptoms were assessed at Leeds Cancer Centre via the two-week cancer pathway. Leeds is one of the largest cancer centres in the UK and the largest radiotherapy service on a single site. 4. What is SGRT? SGRT is Surface Guided Radiotherapy Treatment. It uses highly accurate 3D camera technology, placed around the treatment room, to track a patient's body surface during radiotherapy. It uses real-time imaging to ensure patients are positioned correctly. This removes the need for permanent tattoos and enables the use of open face masks for head and neck cancer patients. 5. What is MapRT? MapRT is new software which utilises the camera technology to aid treatment planning. It creates a full-body 3D model to give clinicians a complete view of how the patient’s body will interact with the radiotherapy machine during treatment. 6. What are the benefits? Together, SGRT & MapRT offer: Kinder and more dignified radiotherapy treatment Increased efficiency Enhanced safety Reduced trauma for patients More accurate radiotherapy planning and delivery 7. How can I support this appeal? You can support the appeal by making a donation. Alternatively, you can also fundraise to support the appeal by signing up to one of our events or organising their own community fundraiser. Read more: Fundraise for us Can I make a cash donation? The best way to donate in cash to us is by visiting our office at Trust HQ, St James’s University Hospital, Beckett Street, LS9 7TF. Please note that if you would like to make your donation in person, we need to know in advance - please email [email protected] or call 0113 539 7020 to arrange a visit. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH IN THE POST. Manage Cookie Preferences