YSBYTY Gwynedd’s League of Friends have been thanked for their “incredible” support after raising over £30,000 towards hospital equipment.

The hard-working volunteers dedicate their spare time to raising funds towards the hospital through events such as coffee mornings, concerts and their sales table in Ysbyty Gwynedd which they hold every Tuesday and Thursday.

A special thanksgiving event was recently held at the Gwynedd Hospital for staff to personally thank the volunteers.

Their kind donation has made it possible for the hospital’s breast surgery team to purchase a breast retractor, worth £7,140, which is used to help remove the lymph glands during surgery.

Dr Illyas Khattak, consultant breast surgeon, said: “This very kind donation from the League of Friends has allowed us to buy this special piece of equipment which helps us treat breast cancer.

“Not everyone realises that breast cancer surgery also involves surgery to the armpit and this is a very tricky area to get to and I can only do this with a dedicated assistant to help me.

“This device has now improved access during the surgery, it also frees up my assistant so they can help with other parts of the operation and it provides direct light to where I need it to be.

“So on behalf of my team I would like to say a huge thank you to the League of Friends for making it possible for us to buy this vital piece of equipment.”

The radiology team have also benefited from a £5,800 donation to purchase a patient positioning step lift.

Radiology service manager, Chris Connah, said: “This piece of equipment has made a huge difference for our orthopaedic patients.

“It allows our orthopaedic patients to stand on a very wide bay, which also has a rail on either side to hold on to and a safety rail – which makes it a lot easier for staff to take x-ray pictures as well as making the patient feel safe and secure.”

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