Family donation helps future head and neck cancer patients at CTM

^{The family of Roger Thomas meeting with the Speech and Language Therapy team at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.}

The family of a former head and neck cancer patient, Roger Thomas, recently visited the team who cared for him at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital to make a donation in his memory.  

Roger was well-known to the Speech and Language Therapy team, having been under their care since 2013 after having an operation to remove his voice box. 

Roger’s wife Susan, his daughters Nicole and Tania, and his granddaughters and great-granddaughter were keen to meet with the team to thank them for his care, and to also make a donation in his memory following kind donations from his family and friends.  

The family donated an electrolarynx (a communication aid) to support other patients who undergo a similar operation to Roger. 

Menna Payne, Speech and Language Therapy Clinical Lead, said “Roger was a character and a chatterbox it really is special that in his memory we can continue to support patients to have a voice after laryngectomy. It was lovely to meet with Susan and the girls who were such a supportive family throughout his cancer journey, and we got to know them really well. We shared stories and reminisced about Roger and it was really special to have that time”. 

Abe Sampson, Head of Charity and Income Generation, commented: “This thoughtful donation is a touching way to honour Roger’s memory, and we’re grateful to his family for choosing to support other patients in this way. It’s a heartfelt gesture that will have a lasting impact.” 

Anyone interested in making a donation to a local Health Board team or service can contact the CTM NHS Charity team for more information at ctm.charity@wales.nhs.uk. 

01/07/2025