Festive cheer for young cancer patients in Exeter
Young people aged 13 to 24 who will spend Christmas in an Exeter hospital are set to receive a bundle of festive gifts this year, thanks to a nationwide campaign from Project Youth Cancer.
Patients at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital are among hundreds of teenage and young adult cancer patients across 45 hospitals in the UK and Ireland who will wake up on Christmas morning to gift bags filled with vouchers, selection boxes, sweet treats, and festive surprises.
This year, Project Youth Cancer i s also donating Luma3 devices for use on hospital wards - a light-based tool that guides users through calming breathing exercises and has been scientifically shown to support relaxation, balance, and gentle stress relief.
As part of the charity’s mission to improve mental wellbeing for young cancer patients, these devices will provide meaningful support during long and often isolating hospital stays.
For many young people with cancer, Christmas is spent far from home, family, and familiar comforts. Project Christmas aims to bring a moment of joy and remind every young person that they are not alone at this difficult time.
Over the coming week, the charity’s volunteer-powered “sleigh” will travel from Aberdeen to Plymouth and across to Dublin and Belfast, covering an impressive 5,970 miles to deliver gifts to 45 hospital units.
Pam Thornes, spokesperson for Project Youth Cancer, said: “Every year we have a group of young people who are not only unlucky enough to get a horrible disease such as cancer but then have to spend their Christmas in a hospital ward. The gifts that come in at Christmas are such a huge joy for our young people.
As we all know, the world is struggling financially, so anything that gets donated is great, but Project Youth Cancer goes above and beyond. We will forever be grateful for the amazing things this charity does for us - thank you!”
Project Youth Cancer – formerly known as The Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust – has supported young cancer patients for more than 29 years. The charity provides vital help through in-person and remote therapies, reduces isolation, and empowers young people throughout their cancer journey.
For more information or to support the appeal, visit: projectyouthcancer.org/project-christmas
