How we help

Formed in the same year as the ANCHOR Unit, Friends of ANCHOR has delivered direct support to the patients and staff since 1997.

The ANCHOR Unit is a collective of specialised wards and clinics within Aberdeen Royal Infirmary - the central hub of cancer and haematology care for the North-east of Scotland.

Our person-centred wellbeing services are freely available for every patient, with programmes also available for the valued staff team caring for them. We also invest in medical equipment, pioneering research and staff-based initiatives and support to drive clinical excellence to ensure Aberdeen as a leading hospital for cancer and haematology care.

Run by a small team and stewarded by a committee comprised of senior representatives from the ANCHOR wards and clinics, and the business community, the charity’s founding aim was, and remains to this day, to provide the best possible treatment, care and support to patients.

Uniquely, every penny of every pound donated to Friends of ANCHOR goes to the cause. We can assure you of this because our operating costs are fully covered by Aberdeen company Balmoral Group - as they have been since the charity was founded.

In the last three years alone, we have funded more than £4m of support. Read on to find out more about some of our investments and initiatives.

Pioneering research
Medical equipment
Person-centred wellbeing
Clinical excellence
Meet the committee

Pioneering research

Partnering with the University of Aberdeen to fund pioneering research to improve understanding of the cause, develop the care and discover treatment breakthroughs.

An annual commitment of up to

to fund multiple pilot research projects that play a critical role in the future of cancer management, allowing scientists to build compelling cases for major funding. Studies like these form the building blocks of future breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment.

Our clinical fellowships are granted for a period of up to

to support fellows through their research endeavours

Since 2010, we've invested almost

into pilot research projects that expand the boundaries of what we know about cancer and haematology diseases.

More: Pilot Research Projects

Medical equipment

Investing in leading technologies and equipment, over and above NHS core budget, to ensure Aberdeen as a leading hospital for cancer and haematology care.

The continued support of the latest diagnostic equipment including a spend totalling

for the Head and Neck Clinic in funding endoscopes and laryngoscopes

Nuclear Medicine investment brought a first for Scotland last year with funding totalling over

to equip the department with a radiopharmaceutical dose administration system for more effective cancer diagnosis and treatment

Supporting the Gastroenterology department to the tune of

for advanced diagnosis and treatment for patients with upper intestinal cancers

Person-centred wellbeing

Enhancing person-centred wellbeing for patients and staff through dedicated support and services, including specialised massage therapies, mindfulness and hair loss support.

Specialist wellbeing services and provision totalling an average of

per year, completely free to ANCHOR patients.

Over the past five years alone, we've invested

into our patient wellbeing services and provisions.

Clinical excellence

Driving forward clinical excellence for NHS staff with funded development programmes and training opportunities to enhance knowledge and expertise.

A yearly commitment of around

for our Clinical Nurse Scholarship programme which enhances skills, knowledge and expertise.

The Friends of ANCHOR committee

The committee is comprised of senior representatives from the ANCHOR Unit wards and clinics, and the business community

James S Milne
CBE, DL, DHC, Hon DBA, Hon FRIAS
Chairman & Trustee

Louise Bennett
Senior Charge Nurse
Ward 310, ANCHOR Unit

Donna Donaldson
Senior Charge Nurse
Ward 307, ANCHOR Unit

Steve Gibb
Public Relations Manager
Balmoral Group

Prof. Michael Greaves
Retired Professor of Haematology and Honorary Clinical Haematologist

Dr Andy Hutcheon
Retired Oncologist,
Vice Chairman & Trustee

Sarah-Jane Hogg
Fundraising and PR Manager,
Friends of ANCHOR & Trustee

Dr Al Lawrie
Consultant
Haematologist

Bill Main
Balmoral Group Financial
Director & Trustee

Dr Graham Macdonald
Consultant in
Clinical Oncology

Dr Trevor McGoldrick
Consultant Medical
Oncologist

Kerry Nolan
Senior Charge Nurse
Ward 112, ANCHOR Unit

Caty Smith
Interim Nurse Manager
Haematology & Oncology

Prof. Henry Watson
Consultant Haematologist,
Haemophilia Centre Director & Trustee

What your support means

to the ANCHOR Unit

"I have seen massive advances in technology in the 35 years I have worked at ARI, and I have also seen patient pathways improve greatly. The difference made by Friends of ANCHOR has been phenomenal. Not only does the charity provide investment into research and clinical support with the purchase of equipment, but the emotional and wellbeing support for patients is second to none.

What has always impressed me about Friends of ANCHOR is that every penny goes towards the key areas funded by the charity, for the direct benefit of patients. To have 100% of your donation realised in that way is quite unique."