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Official opening for CLAN’s cancer support centre

CLAN Cancer Support marked the official opening of its purpose-built centre on Tuesday 22 May.

CLAN welcomed Brian Adam MSP, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Parliamentary Business, to the centre on Westburn Road, Aberdeen, which the charity moved to at the end of 2011, following a successful fundraising campaign.

Since moving to the new CLAN House, the charity has already been able to increase the services and support it previously offered to anyone affected by cancer in the North-east of Scotland, Orkney and Shetland.

During the visit Mr Adam toured the centre, seeing first-hand the full range of services on offer to CLAN clients. This included the centre’s dedicated accommodation facility, CLAN Haven,and an area designed specifically for the charity’s children and family therapeutic service.

The MSP also spoke to a CLAN client, who was receiving a reflexology treatment from one of the charity’s complementary therapists.

Mr Adam was also able to see the charity in action in Orkney and Shetland through a video link to Kirkwall and Lerwick. The charity has strong links in both areas. It has a centre in Orkney and has recently established a permanent base in Shetland.

On opening the centre, Brian Adam MSP, praised the continuing work of the charity.

He said: “Through my work as MSP I know how vital charities such as CLAN Cancer Support are to people when they are a facing life-changing event such as a cancer diagnosis. I was pleased to be able to join CLAN for the official opening of its new cancer support centre and to hear first-hand about the important work the charity is doing. I am greatly impressed by the wide range of services on offer from the charity throughout the North-east, and also the overwhelming sense of warmth and support from everyone involved with the charity.”

CLAN Chief Executive, Debbie Thomson, accompanied the MSP during the visit and was delighted to be able to show the diverse range of services the charity provides.

She said: “We were delighted to be able to welcome Mr Adam to CLAN House to officially open our centre.

“During the visit I was able to show him the important services we deliver to patients, families and carers on a day to day basis, providing care and support for people throughout Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Orkney and Shetland.

“Since moving to our purpose built centre we have received a great deal of positive feedback from clients who have praised the warm and welcoming feel the new building has. To be able to share this milestone with our dedicated team of fundraisers, supporters, staff and colleagues was extremely important to us.”

CLAN Cancer Support is an independent charity which provides comfortsupport and information, free of charge, for anyone, of any age, affected by any type of cancer. CLAN aims to support people to reduce anxiety, stress and to increase their ability to cope with the affects of a serious illness. Based in Aberdeen, the charity covers the whole of Grampian, Orkney and Shetland. CLAN has a presence in Ballater, Inverurie, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Kirkwall and Lerwick.

For further information about CLAN Cancer Support please telephone 01224 647000 or visit www.clanhouse.org

ENDS

Issued on behalf of CLAN Cancer Support by Mackenzie PR. For further information, please contact Susanne Shepherd or Laura McCombie on 07803 939 110.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

CLAN moved to CLAN House in November 2011.

CLAN House, Westburn Road, Aberdeen, sits on a 1.16 acre site with parking for 48 vehicles.

Housing six therapy rooms and three counselling rooms CLAN Cancer Support intends to expand its current range of complementary therapies to include stress management. The new centre also has for children and young adults.

As a result of the increased facilitiesand services within the building, CLAN aims to ensure clients will not have to wait more than three working days for an appointment.

The centre will also house a wider range of support and information services including an extended library and information centre.

The CLAN Haven accommodation facility comprises 27 bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen and dining facilities as well as communal areas for relaxation, providing a home-from-home environment for people and their families travelling from outwith AberdeenCity for treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

During 2008 CLAN Cancer Support launched the CLAN 1-2-3 campaign which saw the charity appeal to its supporters to help it raise £3 million in two years towards the building of the centre.

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