When both her parents were diagnosed with cancer, Naomi Clarke stepped in to become their full-time carer. Getting each of them to different hospitals for treatment was a logistical nightmare until they were given the option to attend the Mobile Cancer Care Unit (MCCU) closer to home. Naomi says she was so impressed by the care her parents received on the unit that she is taking part in The Great North Run later this month to raise money for Hope for Tomorrow. She has already exceeded her target of more than £2,000 and here she explains her motivation for wanting to support the charity and keep the mobile units running.
“I just cannot explain how utterly brilliant this service is. I hadn’t heard about it until my parents were offered the option of using it so I went along to check it out myself and I was blown away. My first impression was how lovely the unit was and I got to meet one of the nurses, Natalie, who looked after them.
My parents have battled three cancers between them. Mum, Sheenagh was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024 and less than a year later, Ian, my dad was diagnosed with sinus and bladder cancer. Mum has all her chemo, bloods and PICC line flushes on the unit which can take up to three hours and dad’s chemo treatment is split between the unit and the hospital. Dad’s infusions on the unit can also take around three hours so it really helps not having to factor in travel time, parking and waiting time at the hospital. The unit comes to Skipton, Seaton and Ilkley which are all very convenient to get to.
Both my parents absolutely love the MCCU. They say how calm it is, which is the main thing and they really appreciate the fact that it runs on time so there is very little waiting around. The Airedale Hospital at Keighley where they had their initial treatment is 13 miles away from us but my dad was also having some of his treatment at Bradford Royal Infirmary.
The day unit at the hospital is brilliant but it’s so busy and there aren’t enough consultation rooms which can create a real backlog. They could often be in the waiting room for a good two hours waiting to see their consultants. The entire process could wipe out a whole day and they used to get back home completely exhausted.
There’s no time for small talk at the hospital because they are so busy but the mobile units give them a bit of social contact at a time when they aren’t doing very much or seeing many people because their immune system is weak.
Mum has got to know the nurses really well. They see the same faces, have a little chat and get to engage with people.
It’s been a tough time with them both being sick together as one of them would have otherwise looked after the other but there was no way they could cope without help after it all happened.
“I just cannot explain how utterly brilliant this service is. I hadn’t heard about it until my parents were offered the option of using it so I went along to check it out myself and I was blown away. My first impression was how lovely the unit was and I got to meet one of the nurses, Natalie, who looked after them.
My parents have battled three cancers between them. Mum, Sheenagh was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024 and less than a year later, Ian, my dad was diagnosed with sinus and bladder cancer. Mum has all her chemo, bloods and PICC line flushes on the unit which can take up to three hours and dad’s chemo treatment is split between the unit and the hospital. Dad’s infusions on the unit can also take around three hours so it really helps not having to factor in travel time, parking and waiting time at the hospital. The unit comes to Skipton, Seaton and Ilkley which are all very convenient to get to.
Both my parents absolutely love the MCCU. They say how calm it is, which is the main thing and they really appreciate the fact that it runs on time so there is very little waiting around. The Airedale Hospital at Keighley where they had their initial treatment is 13 miles away from us but my dad was also having some of his treatment at Bradford Royal Infirmary.
The day unit at the hospital is brilliant but it’s so busy and there aren’t enough consultation rooms which can create a real backlog. They could often be in the waiting room for a good two hours waiting to see their consultants. The entire process could wipe out a whole day and they used to get back home completely exhausted.
There’s no time for small talk at the hospital because they are so busy but the mobile units give them a bit of social contact at a time when they aren’t doing very much or seeing many people because their immune system is weak.
Mum has got to know the nurses really well. They see the same faces, have a little chat and get to engage with people.
It’s been a tough time with them both being sick together as one of them would have otherwise looked after the other but there was no way they could cope without help after it all happened.
When it all kicked in everything stopped for me. I had to take care of them. It was very nasty for dad. He lost his vision in one eye and also lost taste and smell. The knock-on effects for him have been quite brutal. Mum is now recovering but there is no doubt the mobile unit has made such a difference to their quality of life.
Hope for Tomorrow enables the care to go out into the community. It is such an incredible charity, I just wanted to do something to show our appreciation and to support it. I want to say a huge thank you for serving my parents so well.
The Great North Run is going to be a challenge. I wouldn’t say I was a natural runner but a friend wanted to take part and asked me to enter the ballot with her. She didn’t get through but I did which was a bit daunting at first, but then when I succeeded in securing a place, I decided this was my chance to help.
Unlike some of the bigger charities it is easy with Hope for Tomorrow to see exactly where the money is spent.
When I have spoken to family and friends about the service, they have been very surprised and impressed so I want to shout loud about it to make sure as many people as possible know how incredible it is.
For mum and dad, the cancer fight continues but there is no doubt in my mind that it has all been made a lot less daunting for them than it would be without the unit.”
