Julie Baker underwent lifesaving laryngectomy surgery (removal of the larynx) in St John’s Hospital after being diagnosed with throat cancer in August 2022.
Following the operation, Julie’s only way to communicate was by writing on a whiteboard with a marker pen.
During the wait to have a voice prosthesis fitted, which would enable her to speak again, she became frustrated at the rate dry marker pens would run out and how many writing pads she went through in order to communicate. She decided to search the internet for other forms of communication and purchased an electronic writing tablet, which could be used over and over again.
Once Julie had her voice prosthesis fitted, she decided to organise a fundraising night in her local community in the hope that she could raise some money for the Speech and Language Therapy team (SLT) to purchase more electronic writing boards for the benefit of patients that find themselves in the same situation as her.
Julie’s friends and her local community rallied round her for the charity night, which included dominoes, a darts contest, prize bingo, a karaoke contest, raffles and auctions, and together they raised a whopping £5,341.
The first thing Julie did with the money was purchase 120 writing tablets for SLT (Head and Neck Cancer team) in St John’s. The tablets have been greatly received by staff and patients alike and are already making communication easier, not just for head and neck cancer patients, but also for children in the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People as well as stroke victims (all with Julie’s blessing).
Julie said: “While I was recuperating, I decided I wanted to hold the fundraiser so that no one else would have to experience the frustration that I did. Getting to grips with a new way of life is hard enough, never mind being hindered by the only way you can communicate with everyone.
“I hope to hold another fundraiser in the future to continue my support for the SLT team and the amazing support they offer to people like me every day.”
Now that she can speak again, Julie has agreed to become a ‘Lary Buddy’ to help support people who face the same type of surgery that she went through.
Julie added “I chose to become a Lary Buddy as I benefited from speaking to a lady called Donna, who I still keep in touch with, before my surgery. I am now back working, doing the job I did before as a support worker and I thought I could show someone else that life can still be the same as before, just with a different voice.
“This is also the second time I’ve had cancer so I’m open about that too and it helps to show others that cancer doesn’t always mean a death sentence.”
Julie is using the remainder of the money she raised to purchase other items that can assist patients with their communication, as well as giving a donation to the Maggies Centre in the Western General Hospital as a thank you for the support they provided.
Kirsty McLachlan, Clinical Lead SLT for Head, Neck and Voice at St John’s Hospital said: “It is very special when patients raise money and donate to the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Head and Neck Funds. The fact that a person, like Julie, who has been through life-changing surgery is able to find the courage, time and energy to raise funds to help other people on a similar path is so powerful.
“Reaping the benefits of a donation, such as written communication tools, has extra special meaning. It allows us, as an SLT team to highlight how far someone else has come on their journey and where the possibilities lie.
“It also shows the strong degree of empathy people have and the desire to help others, even when faced with adversity themselves. We are always so grateful for any donations and ensure these are always put to good use and for the benefit of the patients we see.”
You can learn more about the SLT team here.