Update
Just had an email from Eric and they raised £1000 for THE SPOTLIGHT APPEAL. Well done to everyone who took part. Find out more about the THE SPOTLIGHT APPEAL below.
Thank you to photographer Lucy Thomas-Clayton.
I caught up with Eric Watts, who last popped into Phoenix FM in may to talk about THE SPOTLIGHT APPEAL.
The appeal is to raise money to purchase the newest equipment to make having radiotherapy quicker and more comfortable and more effective.
Launched in March, we aim to raise £600,000 and in September we had reached £231,000 – good progress, we need to keep it up!
A fundraising night of music including, THE JAM FACTORY and the incredible JO ALLEN all for £10.00 buying direct or £12.00 on the door.
Friday 13 October – Jam Factory Jazz Night – Spotlight Radiotherapy Appeal (spotlightappeal.org)
(2) Jam Factory Jazz Night | Facebook
INTERVIEW
THE SPOTLIGHT APPEAL
What is it all about?
The appeal is to raise funds to purchase the newest available equipment to make
having radiotherapy quicker more comfortable and more effective.
How does it work?
Before starting the treatment patients will lie on the couch and the new system using
infrared cameras will construct a 3D image which is coordinated with the usual scans
so it can tell immediately where to direct the treatment that saves time and is more
accurate than the current system.
ERIC WATTS
Why you are involved etc….. “I well remember receiving old-fashioned radiotherapy
aged 12 and again when I was 14. It was both uncomfortable and rather scary, I had
to lie for a long time on a table which was very hard and very cold and sometimes it
took a bit of time to get into exactly the right position before the treatment” the new
treatment will be quicker.
Brief biog
I had a tumour (neuroblastoma) which started in my back and spread to my lungs so
I am lucky to be alive. The experience of recovering after being ill led me to take up
medicine as a career and I have seen tremendous progress in treating cancer over
the years, however it is still a serious condition requiring powerful treatment.
Radiotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for many tumours, it usually requires a
course of many separate treatments so anything that makes it easier will be
welcome.
Listening to music when I was ill was the best way of keeping my spirits up and
brings great joy to me now.
JO ALLEN (Guest Vocalist)
Jo started her career in banking, but in 2014 joined the breast cancer unit at St
Margaret's Hospital.
After having had several close relatives affected by the disease, Jo has organised
many fundraising events in the Uk and Europe from large
gatherings (300 guests at the Savoy) to lower key social fundraisers at her tennis
club.
JAM FACTORY
Jam factory was founded in 2021 by Julia Austin-Brenes.
The purpose of the group was to provide a professional live experience for
instrumental players wishing to play and improvise in a supportive and nurturing
environment.
Musicians can choose exactly what style they want to play, individually or as a band.
