A specialist oncology nurse has been gifting personalised boxes for patients going through chemotherapy.
Amy Byfield's 'Heart of Headland Boxes of Kindness' initiative is providing support for those attending their first chemotherapy session at the Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro (RCHT).
Amy, an oncology nurse at the Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro (RCHT) and mum from St Merryn, was inspired to create the boxes after seeing the positive impact of 'ChemoHero boxes', developed by breast cancer patient Lisa Wallis in 2014.
Amy said: "Going through her own treatment made [Lisa] realise what a lonely, frightening experience it can be so she came up with the idea of compiling a list of items that would help counter the chemotherapy side effects.
“Our new patients are recommended products to help them too, but the cost of buying them can mount up – especially on top of all the hospital travel required."
READ NEXT: Cornwall climate goal 'totally impossible' Lib Dem leader
Each Box of Kindness contains £45 worth of products designed to alleviate chemotherapy side effects.
Included are a digital thermometer, ginger tea, a pill sorter, a soft bamboo toothbrush, chocolate, organic socks, water in a box, a tin of mints, aromatherapy products, lip care, and a mindfulness puzzle book.
Amy explained: "The contents will change depending on product availability but each one will be lovingly packed by a volunteer who signs their name on the box.
"That’s important because we want it to feel both special and personal."
The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity coordinated fundraising for the first 100 boxes, ahead of its launch on December 1.
While over £17,000 has already been raised, allowing stock to be purchased for the next 500 boxes, the aim is to provide boxes for patients throughout the whole year, meaning ongoing funding is essential.
A Just Giving page has been created for donations to support the initiative at www.justgiving.com/campaign/heartofheadland
Karen Murrish, the charity's fundraising manager, said: "Amy’s initiative is brilliant and we’ll be doing all we can as a fundraising team to encourage donations and enable more boxes in the coming months and years."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here