FORCE, Ride for Life and the Selectron Machine Appeal

 

In 1986 Exeter's Wonford Hospital became the first hospital in the world to put an advanced type of Selectron machine into use. The machine was purchased through one of two appeals which merged in 1987 to become FORCE. The advanced Selectron machine was pioneered by Dr. Chris Rowland, Chairman of FORCE (pictured right explaining the Selectron Machine at a Ride for Life fundraising event at Nello's Ristorante), in conjunction with thoracic surgeon Michael Pagliero, working with the Ospedale Civile in Venice, Italy.
The Selectron allows a source of radiation to be placed into a tumour through a very fine tube thus targeting the cancer and by reducing the area of radiation, minimising side-effects. Originally designed to treat cancer of the gullet, its use has been extended by specialists in Exeter to include lung, prostate, breast, rectum and pancreas cancers.
Nello and I were immensely proud to be part of Force's Selectron appeal which was successful in 1997, with Exeter Royal Devon & Exeter hospital being the first recipient of the advanced machine in the country.
Force's pioneering work -- and its constant need for funds -- continues and we are proud to continue working alongside and in association with this great local organisation that is of national and international importance.

 

What the new microSelectron-HDR offers

• Access to previously inaccessible tumour sites, i.e. the bile duct and the upper lobe of the lung.
• More accurate planning of dosage with better imagery
• Thinner needles, thus allowing treatment of smaller tumours (particularly breast where the technique will be similar to using a laser only possibly more effective.
• Larger, more complex tumours can be treated.
• New Quality control makes the machine safer for both staff and patients.

Our Mission

The 1st Nello Memorial Century Cycle Challenge