White Lily Fund contributes over £28,000 to fund menopause service at The Beatson

2nd March 2023 12:00

"Menopause symptoms can be an extremely upsetting and difficult side effect of cancer treatment."

Martin Cawley, CEO of Beatson Cancer Charity

The charity's committee hosted a ball in November 2022, raising over £85,000 for Beatson Cancer Charity.

The charity's committee hosted a ball in November 2022, raising over £85,000 for Beatson Cancer Charity.

2nd March 2023


"Menopause symptoms can be an extremely upsetting and difficult side effect of cancer treatment."

Martin Cawley, CEO of Beatson Cancer Charity

The White Lily Fund has donated over £28,000 to fund a menopause service to support patients at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and other sites across Greater Glasgow and Clyde. 

It comes after the committee hosted a ball at the Voco Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow in November 2022, raising over £85,000 for Beatson Cancer Charity. 

The menopause service will benefit from the first instalment of grants from the charity following the ball. Plans for the remaining funds are already underway. 

The project will introduce a group CBT programme for breast and prostate cancer patients as a 12-month pilot initially to support these patients as they enter treatment induced menopause following treatment. 

The CBT programme designed by Dr Melanie Smith, who is a highly specialised clinical psychologist, has been shown to reduce symptoms and increase quality of life. 

“The menopause service will be a major step forward to improve on quality of life for thousands of patients and help reduce the side effect of important and life prolonging treatments."

Dr Abdulla Alhasso, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre

The White Lily Fund was founded in 1994 by Angela Bruno MBE, from Bearsden, following the care and treatment she received when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

The charity has since raised over £1 million to fund research and equipment for all types of cancer in the west of Scotland, and will be donating the full amount required of £28,100 to support the launch of this service. 

Breast and prostate cancer treatment can often leave patients with severe menopausal symptoms, which can result in increased distress and reduced quality of life. 

These symptoms are experienced by up to 70% of women after treatment for breast cancer and up to 80% of prostate patients who are on androgen deprivation therapy. 

Over the years, the charity has hosted balls, fashion shows, ladies lunches, golf days and several other events to raise funds. 

PICTURED: White Lily Fund committee members Liana Mullen and Fiona McCourt with charity president Angela Bruno MBE 

Angela Bruno, president of The White Lily Fund, said: “At The White Lily Fund, we support Beatson Cancer Charity as it is the main place for all the west of Scotland patients to get their treatment.  

“The fact the majority of our supporters come from Glasgow, it really resonates that their support and donations are going to a specialised hospital in the city. 

“We are truly delighted to be able to help fund this very new and important menopause service with the 2022 fundraising activity.  

“We know this clinic will help so many patients that go into early menopause to manage the extremely difficult symptoms for both men and women.” 

Over the years Dr Abdulla Alhasso has received funding from the charity for essential breast and prostate cancer equipment, as well as purchasing vital pieces of equipment for various hospitals in the west of Scotland including the Stobhill Hospital Breast Unit and The Beatson Institute in Bearsden. The charity has also provided funding for two researchers for three years. 

The west of Scotland has two White Lily rooms with different pieces of equipment funded by the charity including a mammotome machine and ultrasound machines. 

The White Lily Fund also officially opened the West of Scotland Breast Screening Centre in Glasgow city centre. 

PICTURED: The White Lily Fund members Liana Mullen, Angela Bruno and Fiona McCourt with Dr Abdulla Alhasso

Dr Abdulla Alhasso, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, said: “Once again, The White Lily Fund steps in to support another great project that will have a major positive impact on a large number of breast and prostate cancer patients across the west of Scotland.  

“The menopause service will be a major step forward to improve on quality of life for thousands of patients and help reduce the side effect of important and life prolonging treatments. Thank you for your continued support.” 

Martin Cawley, CEO of Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “We are delighted The White Lily Fund has chosen to support this service, which will benefit so many breast and prostate cancer patients at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. 

“Menopause symptoms can be an extremely upsetting and difficult side effect of cancer treatment. 

“We’d like to thank Angela Bruno and the White Lily Fund on behalf of everyone at Beatson Cancer Charity and all the patients who will be supported by this service.”