Royal Oldham chemotherapy nurses to tackle 11-mile walk for new machines to prevent hair loss

Jane Lees, Rachael Tomkins, Hannah Whittaker, Pamela Murphy & Nicki Holdsworth

Five chemotherapy nurses at the Royal Oldham Hospital are tackling an 11-mile walk later this month to raise vital funds for new machines to prevent hair loss.

Jane Lees, Rachael Tomkins, Hannah Whittaker, Pamela Murphy and Nicki Holdsworth all work in the hospital’s Victoria Unit, which treats patients from Oldham, Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton, Bury and North Manchester. 

On 22 April, the quintet will set off on the Crompton Moor Circuit, an 11-mile walk guided by local mountaineering company Mountain Edge Trekking Adventures.

The nurses hope to raise as much as possible towards a new scalp cooling machine, which helps prevent hair loss for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

Scalp cooling can reduce blood flow to the scalp, which can stop certain chemotherapy drugs from affecting patients’ hair.

There are currently three scalp cooling machines on the unit, which are now 10-years-old and need replacing.

A new double scalp cooling machine, training and servicing will cost £22,000.

Rachael explained: “Hair loss is a devastating side effect of some chemotherapy treatments. The new machines would offer the latest technology to help prevent hair loss whilst undergoing some chemotherapy treatments.

“The new machine would make a big difference, as it will hopefully help to minimise this unfortunate side effect.”

Anyone is welcome to join the nurses on the walk: please email mountain_edge@yahoo.com for a booking form. £10 per person.

Donations can be made via JustGiving:

• www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rachael-tomkins1