How we help

Friends of ANCHOR has served oncology and haematology patients throughout the North-east of Scotland, including Orkney and Shetland, since the ANCHOR Unit opened in 1997.

Run by a small team and stewarded by a committee comprised of senior representatives from the ANCHOR Unit 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.

In the last five years alone, Friends of ANCHOR has invested £4m directly into research, equipment and wellbeing within the Foresterhill Health Campus. Read on to find out more about these investments.

Research
Equipment
Wellbeing
Meet the committee

Research

Funding local, leading research to push the boundaries in the fight against cancer

An annual commitment of up to

to fund multiple pilot research projects to help grow the foundations of our knowledge of cancer and diseases of the blood, to produce initial data and results to attract large-scale research funding

Our clinical fellowships are granted for a period of up to

to support fellows through their research endeavours

Our latest fellow, Kirsten Laws, had an investment of

to investigate the effects of oxygen levels within lung cancer cells to target treatment more effectively

More: Pilot Research Projects

Equipment

Investing in the latest technology to continually develop and improve cancer diagnosis and treatment

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

Wellbeing

Offering additional care, comfort and support to patients during their time at the ANCHOR unit

Annual patient wellbeing services and provision totalling an average of

Staff wellbeing promoted through development opportunities, clinical scholarships and recognition initiatives

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

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 McDonald
Consultant in
Clinical Oncology

Dr Trevor McGoldrick
Consultant Medical
Oncologist

Kerry Nolan
Senior Charge Nurse
Ward 112, ANCHOR Unit

Caty Smith
Senior Charge Nurse
Ward 114, ANCHOR Unit

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."