Our Achievements
Since it's formation, the MLGS has raised over £4,000,000 for patients and families
The MLGS has achieved so much over the last 40+ years thanks to the support and generosity of it's volunteers and supporters. Having raised over £4,000,000 in that time, below are some of the specific things we've been able to achieve thanks to that support:
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 1981 | IBM Blood Cell Separator |
| 1983 | Fluorescent Activated Cell Analyser (FACS) |
| 1986 | Two Laminar Flow Isolation Units |
| 1988 | Research Project "Looking into DNA" investigating basic causes of leukaemia and related disorders |
| 1989 | FACS Analyser Mark II |
| 1990 | ACL300 Coagulation Analyser |
| 1991 | Third year of Research Project "Looking into DNA" New Research Laboratory |
| 1992 | Equipment for Bone Marrow Transplantation Project |
| 1993 | Fourth Year of Research project "Looking into DNA" Cobe Spectra Blood Separator |
| 1994 | Fifth Year of Research Project "Looking into DNA" Fluorescent Microscope with ancillary Photorecording Equipment Appointment of second Research Fellow |
| 1996 | Refurbishment of Out Patients, Day Unit and Waiting Area Construction of four Isolation Rooms |
| 1997 | Upgrading of Transplantation Facilities |
| 1998 | Appointment of Research Cytogeneticist Refurbishment of Additional Facilities |
| 1999 | ECG Machine, Resuscitation Trolley, Defibrillator, IVAC Pump Continuation of Research Programme |
| 2000 | Installation of Air Filtration and Air Conditioning System for Isolation Rooms |
| 2001 | Stem cell storage vessel which enables celles to be stored at -190 deg C ready for transplantation Equipment for research laboratory and continuation of research programme Chemotherapy infusion pumps |
| 2003 | Ceiling mounted air cleaner for stem cell laboratory Part funding of structural improvements to in-patient accommodation and creation of three isolation cubicles, Oak Ward, Children Unit New research project investigating a key regulatory pathway involved in the proliferation of leukaemia cells |
| 2006 | Polymerase Chain Reaction machine installed with £23,000 funding from MLGS. Providing a rapid way to identify leukaemia or lymphoma cells in samples, reducing the time taken to analyse samples, and greatly improving our service to patients |
| 2008 | Research grants - project now under review pending appointment of new Consultant following retirement of Steve Johnson Children's Ward - Play Therapist training and upgrade of Shower Units Beacon Centre Clinic - Sonosite Machine for taking blood samples plus Patients Counselling Room furniture. Grants approved for Pod system to transport blood samples directly to Laboratory and purchase of 13 infusion pumps Ward 9 - Reclining chairs for patients. Industrial Washing Machine Grant approved and order placed for a Blood Cell Separator to save patients having to travel to Bristol. Following that provision of a Transplant Co-ordinator Nurse for a three year term Grants approved for refurbishment of Treatment Room, Patient Day Room and Relatives Room |
| 2010 | Supporting running costs of the new Mobile Chemotherapy Unit Funded new furniture for the Counselling Rooms at the Beacon Centre Ward 9 - Funded refurbishment of the Patients' Day Room and the Relatives Room, as well as installing a new pod system to ensure blood samples reach the laboratory in an efficient manner |
| 2013 | £3 million raised since foundation in 1978 New Transplant Coordinator Nurse appointed and sponsored for three years by MLGS |
| 2014 | Commitments - Running costs of the Mobile Chemotherapy Unit Sponsorship of two Complementary Therapists, the Clinical Librarian, and the Stem Cell Transplant Coordinator Nurse Purchase of 15 additional Infusion Pumps and 3 iPads Purchase of a new top of the range microscope Funding of new Nebulised Pentamidine facility |
| 2015 | Projects sponsored: Mobile Chemotherapy Unit and Chemotherapy Protocol Administrator Aromatherapy and Reflexology service Stem Cell Transplant Co-ordinator Nurse and Pentamidine Service Clinical Librarian Dedicated Dietetic provision on Ward 9 Haematology software procurement |
| 2017 | Continuing to fund the running costs and the drivers of the Mobile Chemotherapy Unit Sponsoring the following staff positions: Complementary Therapist – a reflexologist and an aromatherapist on Ward 9 and the Day Unit in the Beacon Centre A Dedicated Dietitian on Ward 9 to ensure patients nutrition is maintained during treatment. Following this appointment it was found that patients suffered a smaller weight loss during treatment Clinical Librarian to assist research saving Consultants and other medical staff time Stem Cell Transplant Nurse and Nebulised Pentamidine Service Purchasing a hepafiltration unit and an observation machine for the Pentamidine service to improve the patient experience and protect the staff Contributing £22,000 to the project to provide a new bathroom with hoist on the Children’s Unit Purchase of 6 replacement Chemotherapy Chairs and side cupboards for the Beacon Centre so they meet the latest specifications Purchase of 2 Microscopes costing £19,000 following the appointment of 2 additional Consultant Haematologists. |
| 2019 | Continued sponsoring of the Mobile Chemotherapy Unit Providing Complementary Therapists on Ward 9 Purchase of 6 new chemotherapy chairs, tables, and pumps for the Beacon Day Centre Assisting with the cost of refurbishing the 7 en-suite showers on Ward 9 |
| 2020 | Purchase of Credo boxes to enable fresh blood products to be taken to the Bridgwater and Wellington clinics Funding agreed in principle to purchase equipment for a new ambulatory room at Musgrove Park Hospital and other equipment needed in Bridgwater and Wellington |
| 2022 | Grants have been agreed for the new Ambulatory room on Ward 9 Equipment £12,661, Chemotherapy and other chairs £7,020.94 The Beacon Centre chairs purchased in 2019 will be moved to the unit at Wellington Hospital Two new Haematology Consultants start this year and the Group will provide each with a microscope to assist in their duties |
| 2022 - 2025 | Sponsorship of Pool Car Advanced Nurse Practitioner - part salary Reflexologist providing complementatry therapy to patients on Ward 9 Purchase of cardiac monitor for aromatherapy room Purchase of AML physical performance tool - to assess patients fitness Creating a wet room on Ward 9 to replace the existing condemned bathroom Establishing a Hardship Fund to assist patients in financial need |
Support Us
Any donations, however small, will be very gratefully received
Cheques
Payable to: Musgrove Leukaemic Group Somerset
and can be sent to
Mr. Bernard Reed
Hedgerows
11 Hale Way
Taunton
Somerset TA2 8PU
e-mail mlgsomerset@googlemail.com
Bank Transfer
Account Name: Musgrove Leukaemic Group Somerset
Account no: 70671664
Sort code: 60-23-05
We are also very grateful to any volunteers willing to help with collections. If you wish to do so please telephone 07753 178670.
Latest News
MLGS Agrees Pool Car Sponsorship
The group have agreed a new 3 year lease, starting from October 2025, to provide a pool car to enable the Haematology nurses with guaranteed transport to the clinics in Bridgewater and Wellington hospitals.