Transforming the experience of patients receiving chemotherapy

We want to transform the experience of patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy. That’s why we’re raising money to bring virtual reality therapy to two of our hospitals to improve the wellbeing of patients and reduce the negative effects of chemotherapy.

How you can help

We need your support to move this project from vision to reality. It will cost £74,320 to bring this innovative virtual reality therapy to patients at Chase Farm Hospital and Finchley Memorial Hospital. Your donation could make a real difference by bringing the future forwards for cancer patients.

How it works

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust has two chemotherapy units, each hosting up to 40 patients a day, five days a week. The length of these sessions vary for each patient, with most receiving treatment for 6-8 hours, and some even longer depending on the drug combinations used.

Using virtual reality headsets, patients will have a variety of immersive experiences to choose from, from calming, meditative apps that invoke the sensation of walking in nature or deep-sea diving to playing action-based games.

We’ve already supported a pilot project harnessing virtual reality therapy to support staff wellbeing, to overwhelmingly positive feedback. Making the same therapy available to patients promises a feasible and cost-effective distraction intervention for patients who might otherwise face an anxious experience.

The difference you will make

Case studies and published research demonstrate that virtual reality experiences can serve as a distraction therapy for patients by:

• reducing stress and anxiety
• aiding relaxation and positivity
• decreasing the likelihood of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting
• making the time spent receiving chemotherapy feel shorter.

With your support, we can bring the future forward and give real help this winter for patients with cancer.

Donate today