Moray cancer fighter Katie mobilises support for ‘hidden gem’ at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin
A woman with breast cancer is hosting two events next month to support a “hidden gem”.
Katie Gervaise, who’s aged 55 and lives in Burghead, was diagnosed in August and is currently undergoing a course of chemotherapy.
By the time you read this Katie will have just had her eighth session of chemo, with three more to follow.
It’s still far from easy, but the fact she’s able to access this treatment locally in Elgin, rather than facing round trips of four hours to Aberdeen, makes a world of difference to her.
Katie is one of the hundred patients in Moray who benefit every week from the Spey Unit at Dr Gray’s Hospital.
She says: “When something like this happens to yourself you suddenly become aware of how lucky we are in this country to have the NHS – and the Spey Unit at Dr Gray’s is an absolute hidden gem.
“It’s been there for a long time now but it’s still not very well-known, which is a shame because it deserves a lot more recognition.
“The staff are so knowledgeable. Each week you’re welcomed by the same familiar faces into a friendly, almost family-like atmosphere.”
So far Katie has raised just over half of her £5000 target for the Spey Unit.
Loads of local businesses and groups have helped out in various ways. A far from exhaustive list includes Morayvia, W.Reid, Boots, ScotMid, Qismat, Currys, W.P Macleman, The Harbour Inn, Asiabani, Dolphin Dezines and Kelly’s Salon.
The first of Katie’s two upcoming events is a coffee morning from 10am-noon on Saturday, May 3, at Burghead Community Hall.
That’s going to be followed with a ‘Boreas Dance’ extravaganza at the Bishopmill Hall in Elgin on Monday, May 26.
Tickets for this can be arranged by messaging the ‘Katie’s Chemo Unit Fundraiser’ page on Facebook, or by texting 07850 043320.
She also has a page on the JustGiving website with the same address as above.
Katie, who worked as a nurse for two decades, adds: “I made an appointment to see my GP as soon as I discovered a lump, which was really important.
“About one in seven women will develop breast cancer during their lives.
“Each year 600 women living in the NHS Grampian region will be diagnosed – and a good percentage of that number will be from Moray. That’s why it’s so important to have something as great as the Spey Unit on our doorsteps.”
