A REMARKABLE £180,000 donation has helped the campaign for a new cancer centre in Colchester reach the £1million mark.

The centre, once built, could help save hundreds of lives with state-of-the-art facilties for the more than 700,000 people who may need help.

The anonymous donor was praised by campaigners along with everyone who helped reach the million pound milestone..

The Cancer Centre Campaign, which is supported by the Gazette, aims to raise £4.5 million to build a centre on top of the £25million NHS funded radiotherapy unit at Colchester General Hospital off Turner Road.

It will mean all treatments, including chemotherapy and haematology, can be given on the same site and support services will also be accommodated.

Campaign Chairman Peter Wilson said: “This donation was, of course, very welcome.

“To reach £4.5million large donations are needed but we should not lose sight of all the donations being made.

“An elderly lady donated £300 last week after reading an article in the paper.

“We need to reach out to everybody for help.”

As well as the advanced medical facilities the centre will include a wellness section incorporating complimentary medicine and treatments including yoga and reiki and space for families, sufferers and survivors to meet.

The quicker the total is raised the quicker lives can start to be saved.

Mr Wilson said: “The £1million is a milestone and it is possible to climb this mountain if we get together.

“The centre will make a huge difference.

“We have a state-of-the-art radiotherapy centre which replaced a facility from 1964 at Essex County Hospital.

“The board showed great foresight having foundations we can build on top of and what we are trying with the campaign is a bit of self help.

“This is about a holistic treatment programme and this will absolutely save lives.”

Figures suggest one in three people will suffer a form of cnacer.

Ten year survivial rates have doubled in the past four years to more than 50 per cent.

Mr Wilson said: “Better treatment will mean better results.”

To support the appeal, text GAZE11 £10 to 70070 to donate to the Cancer Centre Campaign (or chose a different amount).

Cheques can also be made payable to CoHoC Cancer Centre Campaign and sent to Colchester Hospitals Charity, Villa 10, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5JL.