High praise for Christie

NICE to meet you . . . the Lord Mayor of Manchester meets Oldhamer Jamie Hynes

OLDHAM cancer patient Jamie Hynes welcomed the Lord Mayor of Manchester to the award-winning teenage cancer unit at The Christie.

Councillor Alison Firth visited the Didsbury centre — one of only eight dedicated units in the country which treats patients up to 24-years-old.

She said; “I never cease to be amazed at the strength and resilience of young people.

“I’ve particularly enjoyed meeting and chatting to the young patients at The Christie.

“It is a wonderful hospital, providing exceptional care and we really are so fortunate to have somewhere like this so accessible in the city.”

The centre sees around 130 new patients every year from across the North-West.

The team of specialists include occupational therapists, physiotherapists and complementary therapists.

Jamie (19) was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, in October, 2007. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

The former Hathershaw College of Technology and Sport pupil, where Councillor Firth used to teach, praised the special environment of the unit adding: “If I had to be treated anywhere it would be at The Christie.”

A recent makeover — funded by charity donations — means young patients are now benefiting from an extended day care unit complete with music and chill-out rooms to help them cope with the illness at such a young age.

“There are big TV screens to watch music videos and you can chat to other patients,” added Jamie.