7 July 2010
NHSG/101/10
Generous Alford family hit the road
An Alford family are to donate £2,415 to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for a 'shock wave' therapy machine used to treat venous ulcers. The Macdonalds will hand the money over to consultant Mr Paul Bachoo at 12.00 pm on Thursday, July 8 on ward 36. You are invited to a picture opportunity which will feature Mrs Marion Macdonald, 80, receiving treatment on a machine currently on loan to the hospital.
Daughter Mrs Sheila McGuigan said: "My mother has been suffering for over seven years with a venous leg ulcer which has not responded to conventional treatment. In March this year, she began a trial using the 'shockwave' machine and the results have been remarkable. Not only has the size of her wound reduced significantly, but my mother has been able to reduce her painkilling medication by 50 per cent which means that her quality of life has improved immeasurably.
"The £40,000 machine used for the trial was very generously supplied on a short term loan by its manufacturer. The vascular unit at the hospital is keen to have a machine on a permanent basis and the family rallied round to raise funds."
Extracorporeal 'shock wave' therapy was pioneered in Vienna where it was used to treat both chronic and acute wounds.
Mr Bachoo explained: "High pressure, high energy sound waves are harnessed and stimulate a complex sequence of events resulting in tissue regeneration and will re-start the healing process where this has broken down. The results with difficult to heal wounds such as chronic venous ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and non healing amputation wounds are excellent, giving patients hope where standard treatments have failed. There are many hundreds of patients in the Grampian area who will benefit from the availability of this procedure with all manner of acute and chronic wounds."
The next milestone in the family's ambitious challenge to raise £40,000 is this Sunday [July 11] when the family will converge on Culter from all around Scotland. Four generations of Macdonalds, ranging from 5 to 84, will cycle, walk or ride the 80 miles from Peterculter to Ballater following the old Deeside railway line, with a loop round Glen Muick. Mrs Macdonald, who will be 80 on July 10, will join the party at Aboyne to complete a section on her mobility scooter.
Each member of the family has been set their own personal challenge. Some will cycle the full 80 miles, while some of the younger and older members will complete a section of the route.
The party of 22, accompanied by puppy Woody, will set off at 8.00.
Fundraising began in June when bag packing at the Alford Co-Op raised £262. The sponsorship total has been going up steadily since then, with more money pledged for Sunday's event.
Anyone who would like to sponsor the family can donate online and check progress at
www.big80challenge.co.uk or by cheque payable to: 'Shockwave Endowment Fund' c/o Mr Paul Bachoo, Ward 36, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN. If you wish to complete a gift aid form please contact; Mrs Trish Iley, Secretary to Mr Paul Bachoo, on 01224 554795. Or contact the family via Sheila McGuigan on 019755 62743.