Fundraiser donates scalp cooling systems to Leeds Cancer Centre

Chemotherapy patients at Leeds Cancer Centre can now benefit from ten Paxman Scalp Cooling Systems all donated by fundraiser Jacqui Drake.

Jacqui has raised £110,000 to purchase the scalp cooling machines and caps that help reduce hair loss for patients during chemotherapy. The equipment is not routinely funded by the NHS. 

St James’s Hospital have been using Paxman scalp cooling since 1998, but now through Jacqui’s support, they have been able to ensure patients have access to the latest technology to prevent chemotherapy induced hair loss. 

The new machines feature an interactive touchscreen and additional features such as visual warning displays to ensure ease of use for clinical staff.   

Other advancements include a new control pump which manages the speed and coolant flow to help improve the efficiency of scalp cooling.

Hair loss is consistently ranked as one of the most common and feared side effects of chemotherapy treatment and often people will refuse it because they don’t want to lose their hair. The damage that chemotherapy causes to the hair follicle can be alleviated by using the scalp cooling treatment, also known as the 'cold cap'.

Jacqui said: “Being able to see the impact of my fundraising absolutely makes all the hard work worthwhile. As a patient myself, my ethos is all about positivity and finding the good in a difficult situation.

“I’m determined to keep fundraising for Leeds Cares and reach that million-pound target to continue making improvements at the Leeds Cancer Centre for as many future patients as possible.”

The Paxman Scalp Cooling System has been used by over 100,000 patients, in 35 countries and is responsible for helping patients to keep their hair and retain normality during chemotherapy. The cap works by lowering scalp temperature before, during and after the administration of chemotherapy.

It is estimated that 8% of people refuse chemotherapy to enable them to keep their hair. Paxman wants to change this statistic by ensuring that everyone has the requisite knowledge, understanding, information and access to the treatment.

Stuart Rowling, head of UK sales and training at Paxman, said: “St James’ Hospital was an early adopter of scalp cooling with the first system being put to use on their wards in 1998. We are completely delighted that through Jacqui’s support we are able to introduce the next generation of Paxman systems to a hospital that has shown such long-term support for scalp cooling. Thanks to Jacqui’s astounding hard work, St James’ hospital can ensure patients have access to the latest technology to help prevent chemotherapy induced hair loss.”

The ‘Jacqui’s Million’ appeal is raising money specifically to support the Leeds Cancer Centre through Leeds Cares. To see Jacqui’s upcoming fundraising events, visit her facebook page.