The Linda McCartney Centre, which is based at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, will be granted the Freedom of the City of Liverpool this week.
On Wednesday 27 November, the Centre will be admitted to the Freedom Roll of Associations and Institutions of the City of Liverpool in recognition of the services it provides for advanced and innovative treatments for breast cancer.
Liverpool’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Gary Millar, said: “The Freedom of the City is the highest honour we can bestow, and the Linda McCartney Centre is a most deserving recipient.
“The staff and volunteers working at the centre or raising money on behalf of it, together with patients, families and friends are key to making the Linda McCartney Centre the success it is today.
“Each member of the team is completely devoted to helping those receiving treatment, ensuring they are as comfortable as possible.
“The dedication and support to those suffering from cancer and the after effects is to be commended.
“I am delighted to be supporting them as one of my charities and honoured to be granting them the Freedom of the City.”
Thanks to the services provided by The Linda McCartney Centre people from all over the North West can travel to the Centre to receive some of the most advanced and innovative treatments available in the UK today.
Margie Shields, from Huyton was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, but later developed bone cancer and has been coming to the Linda McCartney Centre every three weeks for the last eight years to receive treatment.
Margie said: “To be honest, I was expecting the worst. You know your own body better than anyone and I knew something wasn’t right. But, it was still a shock to be told I had cancer and very frightening at the time.
“Eight years later though I am still going strong thanks to the fantastic treatment and support from the Linda McCartney Centre. Even though my cancer is terminal, I am able to carry on as normal. More and more people are surviving cancer for longer thanks to the advanced treatments being pioneered at the Linda McCartney Centre.”
Dennis Murphy from Birkdale first found out he had cancer in 2005 when he was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL). This eventually became Cell B Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia (CLL). Denis said: “Every four weeks at the Linda McCartney Centre, I receive, as far as I am concerned, the best treatment you can have and everyone who looks after me, not only displays professionalism but care, compassion and humour.
‘I have twin daughters, aged 31, who both live down south and have recently had babies born just a week apart! I lost my wife to cancer not long ago so the girls worry about me. But after visiting the Linda McCartney Centre themselves and seeing the excellent care I receive, their minds have been put at ease. Everyone who looks after me goes the extra mile on each of my visits.”
Chris Holcombe, cancer lead for the Linda McCartney Centre said: “On behalf of the staff, patients and supporters of the Linda McCartney Centre, I sincerely thank the City for granting us the highest honour with the Freedom of the City. This honour is amazing recognition for the work we all do to improve the lives of local people with cancer.”
