Cambridge: Teenage Cancer Unit Opens

17 December 2012, 08:38 | Updated: 17 December 2012, 13:37

Two members of the Royal Family and the drummer from band McFly have officially opened a multimillion pound Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

The unit, specifically for young people with cancer, has been built at the hospital following donations to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

It is East Anglia's only specialist cancer treatment unit for teenagers, and has 11 beds.

The unit was officially opened today (Monday) by The Duchess of York, Princess Eugenie and McFly drummer Harry Judd.

The Duchess of York is a patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Harry Judd is an ambassador for the charity.

The unit supports 14 to 24 year olds with cancer from Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Essex, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.

It has been designed to be a 'home away from home' for young people, and has a social zone, parents room, chill out room and learning centre.

It also has satellite TV, a jukebox, pool table, DVDs and video games.

Staff at the unit are specially trained in cancers of this age group.

60 patients have been treated at the unit since it opened in February this year at a cost of £3.6 million.