The Mobile Cancer Support Unit - “the bus” was launched at The Celtic Manor on February 2nd 2009. Since the launch the bus has been open for a total of 85 days in 16 locations throughout Wales

During the first six months of opening over 2,000 people have visited the bus.

Working with Velindre NHS Trust we have been delivering chemotherapy in Cwmbran for the last five months. During that time 180 chemotherapy deliveries have been provided with up to 18 patients receiving treatment on each
day of opening.

During the last month the range of chemotherapy treatments on the bus has
been expanded to include longer infusion treatments.

During the chemotherapy sessions over 140 friends and relatives have
accompanied chemotherapy patients on to the bus.

A pilot day of chemotherapy has taken place on the bus in Llanelli in conjunction with Hywel Dda NHS Trust.

An all Wales mapping exercise has been completed identifying travel patterns for people receiving chemotherapy over
the period 2003 - 2007.

The bus is now open every monday at
McArthur Glen Retail Park in
Bridgend, and every wednesday in the Asda car park at Dowlais Top, Merthyr
Tydfil. On all of these days members
of the Cancer Support Team have staffed the bus.

More than 700 invited guests have visited the bus. These have included a large number of politicians, health professionals and celebrities. Visitors to the bus have included:

• Rhodri Morgan (First Minister of Wales)

• Tony Jewell (Chief Medical Officer for Wales)

• Sir Terry Matthews (owner – The Celtic Manor Resort)

• Stuart Cable (formerly of the Stereophonics)

• Mike Peters (from the Alarm)

• Ian Woosnam (former Ryder Cup captain)

• Mark.J.Williams (Double World Champion Snooker Player)

• The Celtic Crusaders Rugby League Team

• Tom James from the Cardiff Blues

The bus has attended two major golfing events with 40 health checks being carried out on visitors.

The bus has attended a number of high profile events including the Ladies First Day outside Cardiff City Hall, a Bridgend
Crusaders Rugby League Match and the ‘Rhondda Rocks’ Concert in Aberdare.

The bus has been stored overnight at the Rhys Davies Freight Logistics depot in Taffs Well. Tenovus are very grateful to
Rhys Davies for allowing us to store the vehicle in a secure environment.

Site visits have been made possible by the generosity of a large number of organisations in allowing Tenovus to
bring the bus on to their sites. Particular thanks are due to Asda (Dowlais Top), Bridgend Designer Outlet Village
and Cwmbran Sports Stadium for their generosity in allowing us to bring the bus in on a weekly basis.

Visitor quotes:

“Really great to see something
that will help so many” – Roseanne Holmes from Radyr

“A fabulous bus that will help normalise cancer treatment for patients in Wales. Well done Tenovus” – Dr Richard
Lewis from BMA

“Fantastic, what an excellent vehicle, may there be many more” – Friends of Tenovus member

“This is brilliant!! Just a shame my dad isn’t here to have the benefit – well done, I will certainly spread the word”
– Mair from Caerphilly

“A very calm and relaxed treatment session. Thank you” – chemotherapy
patient

“The Mobile Centre (The Big Blue Lorry) has brought this service to our doorstep. We could not ask for a better service” – Cancer Support Team client

“The staff on the bus were very friendly, caring and attentive. Any questions were
comprehensively answered. This made a positively difficult visit an almost pleasurable experience” – chemotherapy patient

“I think it is a really great way
to provide help and support for cancer patients” - Elias Baxter, work experience student, Cardiff High School

Future plans and activities:

Chemotherapy delivery in Cwmbran will continue at a rate of at least 12 – 20
patients per day, with the aim of increasing the range of chemotherapy regimes being offered from the bus.

A second day of chemotherapy will commence from the bus during the autumn. Velindre have now confirmed their commitment to this second
day, which will be in the Treforest area.
The exact location will be decided in the next few weeks.

We are aiming to increase the number of chemotherapy days on the bus to at least three per peek, looking at a range
of locations in South Wales. Negotiations are currently underway with Velindre, Hywel Dda and Abertawe Trusts with regard to further days of chemotherapy delivery.

Periwig will be offering a wig fitting services on the bus from August 2009 onwards.

A bereavement group will be running from the bus from October 2009 onwards.

The bus is booked into various
publicity events over the coming months. These include The Vale Hotel (October 23) and the Welsh Assembly in
November.

Proposals are being put together for the bus to visit selected Schools early in the
New Year.

On the basis of the all Wales mapping exercise we are now working on proposals for chemotherapy delivery in
Powys (current average one way journey for patients in Powys is 37 miles).

 Where we've been in Wales:

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