The Peterborough Cancer Treatment Appeal (PCTA) is a registered Charity aiming to raise funds to purchase, the software and hardware for a new computer aided technique which improves the accuracy of radiotherapy treatment.
This new development, known as Linac Gating, allows the x-ray delivery from the treatment machine to be synchronised with the patient’s breathing motion so that the treated volume can be minimised. This will be of particular benefit to patients with lung, pancreas and liver tumours and also for some breast cancers.
In an effort co-ordinated by W Bro Mervin Roberts, Charity Steward of Petriburg Lodge No 8767, Brethren of Peterborough, Stamford, Wellingborough, Eaton Socon and Northampton Lodges supported by individual donations and the Provincial Grand Charity raised £27,500.
In a ceremony at the Peterborough Masonic Centre on 10 December 2013 attended by Trustees of the Appeal, Hospital clinicians and local Masonic Charity Stewards, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, VWBro Dr Vivian Thomas presented the cheque to the Chairman of the PCTA, Keith Fisher.
He thanked local Freemasons and said
This is a marvellous effort.
Without your generosity the appeal could not have reached such a speedy conclusion.
Trust Secretary, Ron Douglas further explained
We launched the Appeal with a target of £100,000. This tremendous donation represents over a quarter of the Appeal and has quickly taken us to over our target. Without it we would have taken much longer to achieve. This donation by local Masons means we can immediately buy the equipment which will now be operational by January 2014. Without it patients of Peterborough and district might have had to travel as far afield as Liverpool for this specialist treatment. We - and I’m sure they - are very grateful.