The Mayor of Abingdon, Rawda Jehanli, recently visited Churchill Hospital, part of Oxford University Hospitals (OUH), to meet the colorectal clinical team and see the life-changing work being carried out with support from local charity Occtopus.
The visit follows a successful fundraising campaign led by the Mayor during her mayoral term, which raised an incredible £6,000 for Occtopus.
During the visit, Mayor Jehanli met with members of the colorectal team to hear about the challenges faced by patients and the important role Occtopus plays in improving their experience and recovery.
Speaking after the visit, Mayor Jehanli said: “It was a privilege to visit the Churchill Hospital and meet the dedicated consultants and healthcare professionals working tirelessly to support patients.
“Occtopus is a charity close to my heart following a bowel cancer diagnosis in 2023, as I was treated by Occtopus Trustee and one of the Colorectal Consultant Surgeons at OUH, Ms.Kat Baker.
“I have directly experienced the importance of exceptional care during a colorectal cancer diagnosis and wanted to not only give something back but also raise awareness on the importance of knowing the bowel cancer symptoms because the earlier it is treated, the better the outcomes.”
Representatives from OUH and Occtopus thanked the Mayor and her local supporters for their generosity and commitment to improving patient care across Oxfordshire.
Professor Sir Neil Mortensen from Occtopus commented: “We are extremely grateful for the Mayor’s fundraising efforts and for raising awareness about colorectal disease. Donations like these make a real difference to local patients and help us provide funding for nursing roles, research projects based at the University of Oxford and equipment for the hospital.”
Mayor Jehanli continues: “I am incredibly proud that, with the generosity of the Oxfordshire community, we raised over £6,000 for Occtopus. Seeing the direct impact this funding will have on patients makes the effort even more meaningful.”
