Lions help with fundraising as thanks for member’s treatment (From Warrington Guardian)
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Lions help with fundraising as thanks for member’s treatment
7:20am Monday 24th September 2012 in News
Julian with consultant ophthalmologist Chris Hemmerdinger and opthalmic department manager Juliat Burns
A CAMPAIGN to raise money for a pre-operative cataract machine has received a cash boost from a patient.
Stockton Heath Lions donated £500 as member Julian Holt receives regular check ups at Warrington Hospital’s opthalmic unit, after a tumour was removed.
The 48-year-old, from Appleton Thorn, was diagnosed with a pituitary tumour which had grown around his optical nerve in 2003.
He said: “Most people first realise there is something wrong when they get tunnel vision but instead of those symptoms I felt stiffness all over.
“I would be at the top of the stairs and be afraid I was going to fall so my GP ran some tests.
“Most GPs see one case in their careers and then I found out that Russell Watson had the same thing.”
Julian, who has been married to Sandra, aged 50, for 17 years, now faces a potential lifetime of follow-ups every nine months to ensure the tumour does not grow back.
His wife may soon need to use the machine after she was diagnosed with a detached retina.
Julian said: “I was really impressed that people who are already working hard would spend their leisure time fundraising for their work, that really shows commitment.”
- CONSULTANT ophthalmologist Chris Hemmerdinger explains why new equipment for cataract surgery pre-op assessments would be important to the department which currently has a four-month waiting list.
He said: “If you have an eye condition that requires medical surgery you will be referred to us and cataracts are the most common problem.
“I offer cataract surgery to anyone where it affects their daily life, for example their job. A new machine would improve our service to patients.
“It calculates the power of the lense needed in the eye so it’s as good as I can make it.
“We’re always very grateful for any donations but when it comes from a patient it does have a special meaning.
“We have increasing pressures these days so when someone says thank you for doing your job it puts a smile on your face.”
Juliat Burns, ophthalmic department manager, said the campaign was launched last year to raise £50,000 for the machine and a number of events have been held.
To help visit justgiving.com/Juliat-Burns.
