Philanthropy Update: Spring 2025

Welcome to the Spring edition of our Philanthropy update!

As we step into a new season, we’re excited to share some of the truly lifechanging projects that our supporters have helped to deliver across Leeds Teaching Hospitals. From cutting-edge cancer care technology to heartfelt initiatives supporting families during the most difficult moments, your generosity continues to fuel compassion, innovation, and hope.

We trust these stories will inspire you as much as they inspire us and show the very real difference that is being made every day.

View previous updates

What your support looks like:

A Lifeline for Patients Like Victoria

Due to the incredible generosity of our supporters, a new £100,000 carbon dioxide laser is transforming care for head and neck patients. Victoria, who lives with tracheal stenosis, was among the first to benefit. “I could breathe properly straight away - it was exhilarating,” she said. This cutting-edge technology offers quicker recovery, precision surgery, and renewed confidence for patients navigating complex conditions.

Relieving Painful Side Effects for Cancer Patients

With funding made possible by our amazing support from the Biswas Foundation and Jacqui’s Million, we’ve introduced light therapy to ease painful side effects for cancer patients. At Leeds Cancer Centre, 50 patients now self-administer this innovative treatment daily. It’s already helping reduce hospital stays, discomfort, and reliance on strong painkillers, giving people a better quality of life during treatment.

Comfort Care Packs for Families in Need

Thanks to continued donations from our compassionate supporters, Comfort Care Packs are bringing dignity and relief to families of patients at the end of life. With over 2,000 packs distributed since 2019, the feedback speaks volumes. “Someone really thought about what I might need,” one family member shared. Hospital staff now help distribute packs on 70 wards, extending kindness at a difficult time.

Support lifesaving heart surgery for children in Leeds

An urgent need has been identified for new equipment to support lifesaving heart surgery for babies, children and young people from across Yorkshire; especially for the smallest, most vulnerable patients at Leeds Children’s Hospital.

Some vulnerable newborns face major surgery just weeks into life. But without the right technology, their chances of a safe recovery are reduced. With advanced imaging, we can perform safer, faster procedures – giving these children not just hope, but a real chance at life, health, and a future.

Thank You – Together, We Did It!

Thanks to your support, we reached our fundraising target for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in December! This specialist centre will bring expert care and comfort to people living with MND and their families. You can watch a short video to see the impact of your generosity here:

From lasers that restore breath, to technology that relieves pain, and comfort packs that show families they’re not alone, this is the power of philanthropy in action.

Your support is creating real, tangible change across our region, helping patients and families feel cared for, understood, and hopeful at a time of immense vulnerability.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. We can’t wait to share more inspiring stories with you in the next edition.

To find out more about joining our growing community of philanthropic supporters please contact [email protected]

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From volunteer to Assistant Shop Manager: Fatimah’s journey

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Inspirational fundraiser Martin Mansell cycled the full perimeter of England finishing after 11 days and averaging 169 miles a day.
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