Welcome to Charity Matters, your seasonal update on all things fundraising here at UCLH Charity. More than ever, your donations are needed to help us make a difference to patients, staff and research at UCLH, above and beyond what the NHS can provide. We would like to say thank you to our wonderful supporters – together we can do more!
Kusuma Trust visit UCLH
We were delighted to welcome Soma Pujari (co-founder and executive trustee) and Sharika Alam (grants manager) from the Kusuma Trust to the Cancer Centre to see the impact of their £490,000 donation.
This generous donation from the Kusuma Trust has supported the upgrade of radiotherapy facilities through the installation of hypersight technology. Hypersight technology gives the radiotherapy team the ability to produce more defined scan images enabling quicker and more precise treatment of tumours. “This state-ofthe-art technology produces clearer visualisation during radiotherapy treatment which can lead to more precise treatment and better outcomes for cancer patients. It will also help with improving efficiencies of the department, enabling us to treat more patients” said Dr Kirit Ardeshna, clinical divisional director for cancer services, UCLH and consultant haematologist.
The grant also enabled purchase of new equipment for the haematology service including new apheresis (blood collection) machines and a new liquid nitrogen freezer to increase stem cell storage capacity.
The Kusuma Trust is a long-term supporter of UCLH, having made a £500,000 donation in 2022 which funded the Kusuma Stem Cell Unit. Carol Haraldsson, head of charitable giving at UCLH Charity said, “On behalf of everyone at UCLH, we would like to express our sincere thanks to the Kusuma Trust for their continued support which is helping UCLH provide the world class cancer care patients deserve.”
Support our Lighthouse Appeal
We are fundraising to support the UCLH Lighthouse.
This specialist centre is the only one of its kind in England where children who have been victims of sexual abuse and their families can access holistic support under one roof, to help them recover and seek justice. Although many children and families are in need of the support the Lighthouse service provides, there is a financial gap for 2025-26. We are raising charitable funds to ensure that all children and families in need can access these comprehensive services.
Making a difference to patients with skin cancer
Our corporate partner, the luxury skincare brand ARgENTUM, has been donating products to support UCLH front line staff since the pandemic. They extended their generosity by donating luxury skin care packs to patients with cancer staying at the patient hotel, the Cotton Rooms.
Last summer, ARgENTUM raised over £35,000 by organising a walk taking in London’s bridges. The money raised, together with other charitable donations, and a matching donation from an anonymous donor, is funding a new clinical nurse specialist (CNS) to work with patients with skin cancer. CNSs are there for the patient journey – from diagnosis to treatment and beyond - and are a central point of contact, and a font of much knowledge for patients, their families and carers, at what can be a most distressing time.
We are delighted to announce that the CNS has been successfully recruited and is in post. Thank you for making a difference to patients with skin cancer.
Making a difference to women's health services
The generosity of donors has enabled us to support the health of women with a number of improvements to benefit patients and staff at UCLH.
UCLH provides a comprehensive breast care service, looking after patients with breast cancer and benign breast conditions.
We are delighted that our long-time partners Derwent London have very generously donated £30,000 to UCLH Charity, which has supported the purchase of state-ofthe-art equipment enabling UCLH to both improve the service offered to patients and the efficiency of the department.
The new equipment, an injector, enables ContrastEnhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM), a groundbreaking step in breast imaging offering earlier detection, clearer imaging for patients with dense breast tissue and an alternative for patients who cannot undergo MRI scanning due to allergies, pacemakers, or claustrophobia.
Radiographer Craig Harris-Scully explains the difference it makes, “This specialised kit helps the breast team to provide a more streamlined service for patients, detect and therefore treat breast cancer more rapidly and also frees up valuable MRI space so more patients can be treated.”
The equipment, which went live in November, is already reaping benefits – the time from diagnosis to treatment has been shortened by two weeks, and there is more capacity for MRI scanning appointments for all patients.
Stuart Lavery, divisional clinical director for women’s health at UCLH said, “We would like to thank Derwent London for their generous donation which helps us to continue to offer the latest available treatment to the thousands of patients who come to the UCLH breast care service each year. Awaiting diagnosis can be very stressful, and this piece of equipment is helping to the shorten the time to diagnosis which means patients can start treatment sooner, improving the experience of breast patients at UCLH”.
“Awaiting diagnosis can be very stressful, and this piece of equipment is helping shorten the time to diagnosis which means patients can start treatment sooner.”
Teddy bear take over at EGA
UCLH Charity teddy bears can now be purchased at the reception desk in the labour and delivery ward at the University College Hospital Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing. All proceeds of teddy bear sales go toward supporting the maternity wards.
Improving the hospital environment for breast patients
We are so grateful to our long-term partner the Howard De Walden Estate for a £100,000 grant to help UCLH’s new breast centre feel like a home away from home. The new state-of-the-art Breast Centre, which is due to open in 2026 in Cleveland Street will provide a new home for breast services at UCLH.
Over 12,000 breast care patients are treated at UCLH each year. The new centre will bring together all breast care outpatient services under one roof, creating a centralised hub where patients can receive comprehensive care conveniently and seamlessly. Charitable donations – including the grant from the Howard De Walden Estate – will transform the interiors of the new building with artworks, soft furnishings and improved lighting.
These enhancements will create a welcoming and relaxing environment that is specially designed to improve wellbeing for patients and staff. We would like to thank the Howard De Walden Estate for their support.
Improving outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer
Patients at UCLH with advanced stage disease are benefitting from an innovative treatment, Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The machine used for this treatment was funded by UCLH Charity.
Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is an innovative treatment which involves administering heated chemotherapy during surgery.
This is in addition to the standard intravenous chemotherapy usually prescribed as part of the existing treatment programme. For patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer, HIPEC has been shown to have a significant impact on survival. Mr Ioannis Kotsopoulos, HIPEC programme lead, consultant gynaecological oncology surgeon and honorary associate professor, said: “I am excited that UCLH is now able to offer HIPEC to our patients diagnosed with advanced stage ovarian cancer. The HIPEC programme for ovarian cancer is a great example of the fantastic multidisciplinary teamwork here and is the result of the great efforts and collaboration of both clinical and management teams.
“I’m personally also very grateful to the UCLH Charity for their support. We are all very proud to be one of only a few UK hospitals able to offer this innovative technique. I hope to see our patients living well for longer after receiving HIPEC.” UCLH is one of a handful of NHS hospitals offering HIPEC for the treatment of patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It is anticipated that around 30 per cent of patients undergoing surgery may be clinically suitable for HIPEC.
Did you know...
UCLH’s obstetric and gynaecology services are rated third best in the world, according to the 2025 Newsweek rankings of specialist hospitals.
Support women's health
Help us do more to support women and babies at UCLH by visiting www.uclhcharity.org.uk/maternity
Meet Elena
Elena is a dietetic assistant practitioner, helping to provide nutritional care for adult and paediatric patients at UCLH. She works with oncology patients and those undergoing Proton Beam Therapy. She’s also a UCLH Charity ambassador.
What do you enjoy about being a charity ambassador?
It’s fun! But also I think it’s important to raise awareness about the incredible work the charity does to support both patients and staff. I have had first-hand experience with this as I was fortunate enough to be a finalist and attend the Excellence Awards celebration which is Charity funded. When staff know more about the great support we get, they are more likely to tell patients if they ask about how they can contribute to UCLH Charity or even be inspired to organise or take part in fundraising, helping the charity continue its amazing work.
Tell us about the challenges you’ve done so far.
I did the Santa Run last December, which was such great fun, a UCLH bake sale and next on my list is a sky dive later this year. I would recommend doing a challenge to anyone, you get to do something different, get out of your comfort zone, and meet new people, all for a great cause.
“I would recommend doing a challenge to anyone, you get to do something different, get out of your comfort zone, and meet new people, all for a great cause.”
Well done #teamUCLH
#TeamUCLH has got off to a flying start this year, with a 27 strong team taking part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon raising over £12,000.
Thank you to everyone who ran for us, and to everyone who came out to support us.
If you would like to take part in a challenge event to support us, simply drop us an email at events@uclhcharity.org.uk or keep an eye on the events page of our website. From sky dives to mountain walks, there’s something for everyone.
Support us
There are lots of ways you can support UCLH Charity and make a lasting difference to patients, staff and research at UCLH.
Donate online
Visit our website to make a safe, secure, payment online.
Take part in a challenge
We have something for you whatever your fitness level and ability. Go to our events page.
Go offline
We accept cheques, but no cash, sorry. Send your payments to us at: FREEPOST RTKU-LJHX-LEJH UCLH Charity, 3rd Floor East, University College Hospital 250 Euston Road, London, NW1 2PG
Join our growing online community
Follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for real time news and updates.
Do it yourself fundraising
From tea parties to quiz nights, we have loads of ideas to inspire you to organise your own fundraising event. Download our fundraising pack and get in touch with our fundraising team at fundraising@uclhcharity.org.uk or call 020 3447 7737.
Remember UCLH Charity in your will
We have partnered with Octopus Legacy and are pleased to offer a free will writing service to all our supporters. Visit www.uclhcharity.org.uk/will