PLANS for the new Breast Cancer Unit have already been drawn up with building work expected to start in October.

The unit, which is due to open next summer, will be named after David Brown, a retired engineer from Salisbury who made a substantial donation to the campaign.

With pledges still to come in and more events planned, any further donations will still benefit local breast cancer patients by funding additional enhancements and equipment for the unit and improving support services.

The new unit will provide the best possible environment for local women with purposebuilt waiting, diagnostic and treatment rooms dedicated to breast patients.

Counselling rooms will be available to patients who have just received a cancer diagnosis or who need support while sensitive design and décor will create a calm, light and dignified environment.

One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and breast cancers treated in Salisbury have increased by nearly 40 per cent in the last two years.

While the hospital’s specialist breast care team offer excellent care, the number of patients they see is growing fast.

The unit will support the 4,500 local women, and the small number of men, the team sees each year.

Joanna Bott, from Salisbury, was told she had breast cancer three months after her 26th birthday and has since undergone a mastectomy, months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is now part-way through ten years of hormone therapy.

She says the dedicated unit will help change the experience of patients by providing a less daunting and private space.

She said: “The new unit will negate the need to move from waiting room to waiting room, explaining to people why you are there.

“It will make the whole journey smoother and quicker for those being tested, the newly diagnosed and those, like myself, that are being monitored.

“It will provide an area for patients and their families to come to terms with their diagnosis.

I am so humbled and grateful for everybody’s efforts in supporting this campaign.

“Thank you to everyone that has fundraised and donated to make this possible.

“The campaign is not over.

“I ask that the community continue to get behind the Stars Appeal campaign so that we can make the Breast Cancer Unit something truly special.”

For more details visit starsappeal.org.