SIR Terry Wogan paid a visit to Northwood to officially open a new chemotherapy unit at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre.

The radio and television veteran was the guest of honour at a special celebration for the £1.43million unit, largely funded by charity donations, which started treating patients in February this year.

After cutting the ribbon on Wednesday (Sept 29) while standing in front of a plaque detailing the many organisations which supported the project, Sir Terry Wogan said: "It's a privilege, a pleasure and an honour to be invited to declare the new unit open, and I am truly humbled to be here.

"It's the fulfilment of an ambitious dream, I'm proud to play even a small part in something of such important medical significance, that will do so much good.

The legendary British commentator of the Eurovision Song Contest also paid tribute to his late Radio 2 producer, Paul Walters, who was treated at the hospital, in Rickmansworth Road, before he died from cancer in 2006.

Sir Terry added: "I know a lot of magnificent work has been done and in the context of this great building, and there can be no praise too high."
The complex, which can accommodate about 1,500 patients each year, will improve the lives of cancer sufferers not only in Hillingdon but across London, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and beyond.

Patients undergoing standard chemotherapy treatment, as well as clinical trials, are now cared for in state-of-the-art surroundings, which include 19 treatment chairs and two beds, three consulting rooms and a counselling room.

There is also an 18-bed oncology ward, named after radiology pioneer, Marie Curie, as well as specialist radiotherapy treatments for diseases including ovarian and prostate cancer.

Director of medical encology at Mount Vernon, Professor Gordon Rustin, who spearheaded plans to develop the chemotherapy trial facilities, said: "I am so grateful to all those who have helped us raise the money so we can offer clinical trials to more of our patients and make it far more efficient for patients and staff."

Professor Rustin also thanked his patients who helped to form the Cancer Treatment and Research Trust (CTRT), which played a key role in helping to raise the cash.

CTRT committee member, Brian Abbott, who received treatment for testicular at the hospital eight years ago, said: "It is a lovely feeling to be here, especially as Terry Wogan is one of my personal heroes, and to see the result of all our hard work.

"It hasn't been easy but we have to thank everyone who contributed, from a 90-year-old that sent us a cheque for £5,000 from their savings, to the late Guardian journalist, Dina Rabinovitch, who raised £100,000 for us after being treated for breast cancer here."

One patient currently receiving treatment, Brenda Campbell, of Pinner, gave a heart-felt speech about the importance of the cancer unit.

The married mother-of-three told the Gazette: "The staff have become like a second family to me and I have made so many friends as a result of having treatment here – I am even in touch with the families of people who have gone.

"When you find out you have cancer, your heart skips a beat. Some people get angry but I have learned to accept that's just the way it is, and I have been encouraged to be positive and carry on, even through times where I felt like despairing. People often criticise the NHS but the new cancer unit shows how lucky we really are."