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Beatson Cancer Charity is delighted to announce the launch of our new website which includes a personalised digital experience for cancer patients and families called ‘My Light’. This innovative online support space shall help vulnerable patients and their families who are self-isolating or unable to visit the hospital during the coronavirus lockdown period and beyond.
‘My Light’ has been developed in memory of Eilidh McHugh, who tragically passed away following a short battle with a rare and aggressive cancer aged 22. This is a unique part of the website where patients or family members receive tailored information to help them to understand their cancer journey offering practical advice and support, health and wellbeing information, money and benefits advice and now, guidelines around coronavirus.
Working in partnership with digital transformation agency Equator, Beatson Cancer Charity helped to create the project as legacy for Eilidh McHugh.
Since her death, Eilidh’s parents Mick and Elaine, her sister Kerry and many friends and family members have raised over £250,000 for Beatson Cancer Charity. ‘My Light’ is named in honour of Eilidh’s name, which means light in Gaelic. Elaine McHugh said:
'As a family we are delighted at the launch of the new Beatson Cancer Charity website. This new website exists because of the funds raised by #TeamEilidh. This is a tribute to our exceptional daughter ensuring her legacy lives on.’
When Eilidh died, our world was rocked. Fundraising for Beatson Cancer Charity has helped us heal as a family and it is amazing knowing the money raised will go towards supporting more cancer patients and their families through what can be the darkest time of their lives – it will help many to feel better, stronger and more informed.’
Eilidh lit up every room she entered, and we are so proud that she will be remembered in this very special way.’
Elaine McHugh
My Light was developed through market research that identified the need for helping website users who may be suffering from cancer to easily find the more relevant content based on their personal experience. Martin Cawley, Beatson Cancer Charity CEO said:
‘Everyone at Beatson Cancer Charity is immensely proud of this new digital experience that is now available to cancer patients throughout Scotland.
‘Alongside the McHugh family, we have created something very special. We hope that this project will now actively support people, rather than just provide standard information, and will be a guiding light for online support for people and their families.’
‘As a result of the COVID 19 public health crisis, Beatson Cancer Charity has had to make significant changes to the way we operate. We are delighted to continue to deliver some of our services where we can in the hospital and digitally via this website.
Martin Cawley
‘This means we can still have a positive impact on patient’s lives and support our NHS colleagues at The Beatson. We continue to fund Radiographers and Clinical Nurse Specialists who are working harder than ever to provide enhanced care and support to vulnerable cancer patients. We are doing all we can to continue to help our colleagues at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and continue to fund life-saving research. Our fundraising efforts are strained so we still need public support to help keep our services running.’
Equator’s co-founder and creative director Jamie Jefferson said: ‘
'It has been an honour to work alongside Beatson Cancer Charity and the McHugh family on this unique project. We have dedicated a huge amount of time and effort to ensure everyone is proud of the website’s design and capabilities.’
‘This is just the beginning of the road for this digital platform which will make a huge difference to cancer patients and their families for years to come.’
You can see My Light in action below or you can visit here.
