Cash boost for breast reconstruction work at a Swansea hospital

Patient Jenny Young and husband Colin have raised £1,000 for the Swansea service following her own treatment.

The money will provide enhancements above the core service such as special events for patients to come together and may even improve scar-covering work in future.

It’s the second time the couple have donated to the Breast Endowment Fund at Morriston Hospital, after handing over £500 in 2019.

Consultant plastic surgeon Leong Hiew, who has supported Jenny throughout her recovery following breast cancer, said: “We are ever so grateful to Jenny and others like her who contribute to the Breast Endowment Fund.

“It means there is money for things above and beyond that covered by NHS funding, such as certain training courses or equipment.

“Without this ongoing charitable help the service would be static.”

The money donated by Jenny and Colin, from Machen near Caerphilly, was raised by the Merthyr and district lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB), of which Colin is a member.

The RAOB supports charitable organisations and raised the money through raffles and social events.

Previous donations to the Breast Endowment Fund enabled breast reconstruction nurse specialist Julia Warwick to train in 3D nipple tattooing, which helps her provide more realistic scar covering work for women post breast reconstruction.

She said the latest donation may go towards training a colleague in the same technique or towards purchasing a new tattoo machine.

Jenny, 69, said: “I’m very grateful to Mr Hiew, Julia and the team for all of their hard work.” 

Lead image: left to right: Patient Jenny Young, Breast Reconstruction Nurse Specialist Julia Warwick, consultant plastic surgeon Leong Hiew, Colin Young and Lyn Hopkin, deputy head of nursing. (Image: Swansea Bay NHS)