Equipment
A large proportion of the money raised by ELF is spent on equipment, below are a few examples of recent purchases.
Graseby pumps
Graseby pumps which infuse both chemotherapy and blood, they cost almost £3,000 each and with the growth of the disease more and more are required, last year we bought another ten.
Electric beds
We have also recently purchased ten electric beds for the unit at a cost of £15,000. Having electric beds will make a huge difference to our patients’ experience. It will promote their independence, as they will be able, for example, to sit themselves up in bed where they were unable to do so previously without a nurse’s assistance. It will benefit nurses as it will reduce the amount of manual handling that is necessary, helping to avoid back injury. The beds also offer more flexibility for patients, so that they find their most comfortable position to lie in, and nurses can position patients in the optimum way for their intervention.
Fluorescence activated cell sorter
Through the support of the Great West Run ELF has been working towards the purchase of a FACS (fluorescence activated cell sorter) machine, costing over £25,000. With the support of the many people who continued to participate in the Great West Run for ELF last year we are pleased to announce that a FACS machine is now purchased and in place at the RD&E.
The FACS machine will be used to look at specific cell cultures to identify different variants of leukaemia, which will enable more specific treatment to be given to patients together with expanded research capabilities.