Paralympic gold medallist and cancer survivor opens Cancer Centre | News

Two Time Paralympic gold medallist, Erin Kennedy, who is ‘thriving’ after cancer, has officially re-opened Royal Surrey Cancer Centre after a multi-million pound refurbishment.

Erin, who was treated at the centre after being diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, was joined by members of her medical team and fellow patients as she cut the ribbon on World Cancer Day (February 4).

The £6million project, which was partly funded by the Royal Surrey Charity, has provided a much needed increase in clinical space and improved the environment in which more than 8,000 patients receive treatment and care each year.

Erin, who was awarded an OBE for rowing and breast cancer awareness in the New Year Honours List, was diagnosed in May 2022 and underwent 15 rounds of chemotherapy, as well as a double mastectomy. In March 2023 she was given the all clear but still continues to attend the cancer centre’s Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Unit (TYAC), where she was treated whilst at Royal Surrey. Over the last three years, Erin has publicly shared her experiences of breast cancer at a young age, whilst continuing to compete internationally to raise awareness and support others going through treatment.

The coxswain, who added her second Paralympic gold last summer in Paris to her three world and four European titles, said “It is an honour to open Royal Surrey Cancer Centre as it is a place that means so much to me. The incredible care at Royal Surrey was second to none, their approach enabled me to continue competing whilst on chemotherapy and the team truly understood me as a person, not just a patient. So many people aren’t comfortable in hospitals but I felt so safe and cared for by the TYAC and my oncology team, I would always look forward to catching up with them when I came in for treatment.

“The new facilities have been designed around patient needs and provide a welcoming environment that is expertly equipped to support individuals and their loved ones going through a challenging and unsettling time.”

The cancer centre, previously known as St Luke’s, was originally opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 and was expected to see around 2,500 patients each year.

Today it is one of the country’s major cancer centres and serves a population of three million people across the south east of England.

Sophie Otter, Chief of Service for Oncology, said: “Nearly one in two of us will develop cancer during our lifetime so we must continue to develop our services. This project has seen us double the clinical space available, which will ultimately enable us to save more lives as early diagnosis and treatment options continue to grow.

“Our patients now benefit from inviting spaces and facilities that have been designed and built with their needs at the very heart.”

During the opening Erin presented the trust with her framed TeamGB lycra, that she wore when she won in Paris, which will be proudly displayed in the new centre.

The building work has also provided a new spacious waiting area, a larger café for refuelling, a centrally located space for carrying out blood tests, more changing areas that lead directly into clinic rooms, additional bathroom facilities, a dedicated information hub and a sensitive conversation suite that has its own private garden and exit for when patients need privacy.

Chief Executive Louise Stead said: “Today is the culmination of many years of planning and hard work in partnership with our patients to create a modern facility that will help us to transform cancer care for patients.

 “We know how difficult a cancer diagnosis and treatment journey can be for patients and their families. We are incredibly grateful to Erin, not only for opening our wonderful new centre, but for being so open about her own experience. We know her story has inspired and given hope to many going through similar experiences both here in the south east and across the country.”