An ‘open day’ is being held for the public to tour the new Manx Breast Unit at Noble’s Hospital.  The event takes place on Thursday 7 April between 4.30pm and 7.30pm.

The unit, which is now fully operational, has created a single state of the art clinic space for the Island’s Breast Screening Service and the Outpatient Breast Clinic, under the leadership of Consultant Surgeon Ms Millie Bello and Consultant Radiologist Dr Rebecca Miller.

Julie Stokes, Chair of the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group (MBCSG), which has raised the ?1.7 million to build and equip the unit, said: “Everyone in the group is so pleased to see the unit up and running.  Although we’ve led the charge, none of this would have been possible without the phenomenal kindness and generosity of the great Manx public and several charitable trusts and foundations.

“In recognition of this we want everyone to have the chance to come along and see the fantastic facility their funds have delivered.  It will be a relaxed event with tours of the clinic space.  There’s no need to reserve a place, people can come and go as they please.”

The MBCSG, which is run entirely by volunteers, is continuing its fundraising efforts to ensure the Island’s Breast Care Service can operate to the very highest standard.  The group wants to fund an upgrade of the breast screening machine to provide 3D images which can improve cancer detection rates.  It also wants to fund new equipment to make use of a new form of radiotherapy to treat cancer during surgery.

David Gawne MBE, President of the MBCSG, said: "It is humbling to reflect on the way in which the people of the Island have really gotten behind this appeal and risen to the challenge.  Through a variety of efforts, large and small, the community has raised an incredible amount of money in a very short time.  This is a prime example of the Manx community at its best.

“The successful completion of the new Breast Unit also demonstrates how Government and the third sector can work together effectively to deliver results in a timely and cost effective manner. The Island is facing many challenges and the way forward must be for all sectors of the community to come together and work collectively to respond to those issues.”

In thanking the people of the Isle of Man for their generosity Mr Gawne also took the opportunity to praise the dedication of Julie Stokes and her committee without which the dream would not have become a reality and to acknowledge the support from colleagues within Government who had responded positively to the group.

The Manx Breast Unit is located in the west wing of Noble’s Hospital on the ground floor and is well signed.