The gift of giving back
Andrew has been a patient at the UCLH Cancer Centre for ten years. He’s developed a very close and positive relationship with his clinical team and has also become involved with the work of the Support and Information Service team at UCLH, and more recently the Cancer Fund.
He says he finds it rewarding to be able to give something back in appreciation of the care, treatment and support he’s received at UCLH, whether it be in the form of volunteering or financial support.
He’s written a food and recipe booklet for head and neck cancer patients, which is available in the Patient Lounge, and he gives a piano recital once a month in the ground floor reception area of the UCLH Cancer Centre. Recently, Andrew gave a donation to support the purchase of nebulisers. Nebulisers deliver humidified air or medicated mist directly to the airways, helping head and neck cancer patients by soothing irritated tissues, easing breathing, and reducing the risk of airway obstruction or infection after treatments like surgery or radiotherapy.
“I also wanted to make a financial donation to the UCLH Cancer Fund but I wanted to direct it to some aspect of the work of the head and neck cancer team. To be able to support the provision of nebulisers was exactly the kind of giving I was looking for, and it’s really encouraging to know how my donation will help.” - Andrew Gaylor
“The kindness of this donation has made such a positive impact for our head and neck patients. It has allowed our patients, especially those who may be facing financial difficulties, to manage the side effects caused by treatment for head and neck cancer very effectively.” - Jon Earley, Lead Oncology Head and Neck Clinical Nurse Specialist.
