The North Wales NHS Charity Awyr Las is working alongside the #TeamIrfon fund to raise money to buy a new cold cap to be used on the Alaw Ward at Ysbyty Gwynedd to help cancer patients. They cost around £18,000 each.

 

Hair loss is one of the most obvious side effects of cancer, and one of the most emotionally devastating, however wearing a cold cap can help retain some hair.

To help raise the funds on September 10, the annual #TeamIrfon swim will be back with a bang with swimmers from across the UK taking part in a two-mile swim from Beaumaris Pier to Bangor Pier.

In 2019, 42 swimmers took part and over 400 supporters came to Bangor Pier to cheer them on!

If you are up for a challenge and used to open water swimming then why not take part? Click HERE to register today! 

Dawn Owen, from Benllech, will be one of those eager to cheer the swimmers on. The 32-year-old has been using one since the beginning of her chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.

 “For the first few minutes, it’s painful, but I feel fine,” said Dawn, who is having her cancer treatment on the Alaw Ward, at Ysbyty Gwynedd.

 “It’s very cold for two minutes, but I’m sitting under a warm blanket and I don’t even think about the chemo and I don’t worry about my hair.

“It has helped with my stress, because I know my hair is going to be here.”

She continued: “I’m pleased to say none of it has come out despite this being my seventh chemotherapy treatment.”

Ms Owen added: “Keeping my hair has really helped with my mental health, it means I still look like me and that means the world, it’s brilliant that #TeamIrfon is raising money to fund new cool caps.”

Manon Williams, Matron for the Cancer Division at Ysbyty Gwynedd commented: “The cool caps has allowed many patients to protect their privacy, and allows women to maintain their self-esteem and their sense of well-being during a really difficult time.

“Replacing the ones we have with more effective up to date ones will be really positive for our patients.”

She added: “The caps are incredibly popular with our cancer patients especially the younger ones, you can not underestimate the psychological impact hair loss has on a patient.

“I hope people support the #TeamIrfon swim on September 10, to raise money for the caps.”

*The swim should only be undertaken by proficient swimmers who have experience of open water swimming, but anyone can take part in cheering the swimmers on from Bangor Pier.