Friday, 4 May 2012
HIP hop pop duo the Rizzle Kicks were number one with patients and staff when they visited the Skypad at University Hospital of Wales.
Jordan "Rizzle" Stephens and Harley "Sylvester" Alexander-Sule took time out from their sold out headline UK tour to spend almost two hours talking to the young patients and their parents, posing for photos and signing autographs.It was the first time the ‘Mama do the hump’ duo had visited a Teenage Cancer Trust unit and the experience has left a lasting impression on them. Jordan comments: “We feel very happy to have visited the Teenage Cancer Trust unit in Cardiff. Such a calm, relaxing and welcoming vibe, of course not forgetting the amazing people we got to meet too.”
Jamie Jones-Mead, Teenage Cancer Trust’s Youth Support Coordinator on the unit says: “There was a real sense of excitement and buzz when the patients heard that Rizzle Kicks were visiting the unit today. The patients had a great time swapping stories and some even had a chance to play a game of pool with them.”
The Teenage Cancer Trust unit has been open since 2009 and supports young cancer patients aged 14 to 25 from across Wales. The state-of-the-art unit includes a chill-out zone, access to media facilities such as the internet, TV and music, a dining area, patients kitchen and parents room with kitchenette. The vibrant wall designs and furniture help make the unit a home-from-home experience.
Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for the six young people aged between 13 and 24 diagnosed with cancer every day. Teenage Cancer Trust build specialist units within NHS hospitals bringing young people together to be treated by teenage cancer experts in a place designed just for them. Traditionally treated alongside children or elderly patients at the end of their lives, young people can feel extremely isolated during treatment, some never meeting another young person with cancer. Being treated alongside others their own age can make a huge difference to their whole experience.
The Cardiff unit is now one of 21 specialist Teenage Cancer Trust units in NHS hospitals across the UK and the charity wants every young person with cancer to have access to this specialist support, no matter where they live and plans to build further units.
If you would like to get involved and support Teenage Cancer Trust in Wales please contact Laura Scowen, Regional Fundraiser for Wales on 07908 433385 or email laura.scowen@teenagecancertrust.org
To see lots more pictures from the Rizzle Kicks visit check out the UHB's Facebook page
