Tv Doc Backs Centre's Vision

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), April 10, 2008

A POPULAR television doctor is backing our Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre Campaign.

We teamed up with charity Maggie's to give a massive boost to cancer patients in the North East.

The Chronicle is appealing to readers to help raise pounds 500,000 towards a pounds 3m centre at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, where patients and their loved ones will be able to get advice on coping with their illness.

Cancer charity Maggie's hopes to open the new centre in 2010 and we're calling on you to organise events or make donations.

And BBC One's Street Doctor Dr George Rae, from Whitley Bay, is keen to pledge his support.

He said: "A centre like Maggie's is essential for the North East.

"When we are dealing with a prognosis of cancer it is about clinical skills, knowledge and treatment. But a very important aspect is tender, loving care for the patient and their carers.

"Therefore, a centre like Maggie's is fantastic as it gives the advice, encouragement and support that is required for both cancer patients and their families."

Already thousands of pounds has been raised by generous Geordies.

Our total so far is more than pounds 18,000 - of the half a million the Chronicle intends to raise.

To see a video about the work of Maggie's visit www.chroniclelive.co.uk/maggiesappeal. Send your donations to Denise Heron, Maggie's, Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment, General Hospital, Westgate Road, Newcastle. Cheques should be made payable to Maggie's Centre. Call (0191) 543 8036 or e-mail denise@maggiescentre.org *The current series of Street Doctor will be shown on BBC 1 every Wednesday, at 7.30pm, until May 7.

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ON BOARD: Dr George Rae