Charity’s milestone 25th anniversary has been marked with a major investment in cutting-edge cancer treatment technology.

The Sunrise Appeal is proud to announce a grant of £400,000 to fund the cutting-edge HyperSight imaging system upgrade to the new NHS-funded Varian TrueBeam radiotherapy machine at the Sunrise Centre in Truro. This investment not only brings the very latest imaging technology to Cornwall, but also marks a major milestone as the Sunrise Appeal celebrates its 25th anniversary supporting cancer services in the region.

HyperSight is a revolutionary imaging enhancement for the TrueBeam linear accelerator, which is replacing the outgoing LA3 machine. With a significantly larger field of view and faster image acquisition times, the system promises to transform the patient experience and the precision of treatment.

“HyperSight is a significant leap forward for cancer care in Cornwall,” said Janet Shephard, Co-founder and Trustee of the Sunrise Appeal. “To mark 25 years of fundraising, we wanted to do something truly impactful. This technology will bring more accurate treatment, shorter appointments, and less radiation exposure to patients. It’s an incredible way to honour everyone who has supported the Appeal over the last quarter century.”

HyperSight offers numerous clinical advantages. It allows radiographers to perform a single Cone Beam CT scan rather than two overlapping scans, reducing radiation exposure and time on the treatment couch. The upgraded reconstruction software delivers sharper, clearer images, boosting radiographer confidence and speeding up image review, especially in complex areas like the abdomen.

“The difference HyperSight will make is huge,” said Nikki Snell, Senior Radiographer at the Sunrise Centre. “We’ll be able to see more, faster, and with far greater clarity. For patients, that means less time in breath hold and a smoother overall experience. It also enables us to adapt treatment plans directly from images taken on the machine, something that previously required additional CT scans and delays.”

Further benefits include built-in metal artifact reduction, enhancing image quality for patients with hip replacements, dental work, or surgical implants. Importantly, the Sunrise Centre will become the first radiotherapy department in the South West to install HyperSight, keeping Cornwall at the forefront of modern radiotherapy.

(L-R) Nicky Ward-Operational Lead, Nikki Snell-Senior Radiographer, Lorraine Cowley-Clinical Scientist, Lucy Tann-Senior Radiographer, and Ruth Kemp-Senior Radiographer.

The Sunrise Appeal’s continued support ensures the Centre remains a beacon of excellence in cancer care. Over the past 25 years, the charity has raised over £3.7 million to support equipment, research, and patient wellbeing in Cornwall.

“We’re incredibly grateful to our supporters,” added Janet. “Without them, this kind of innovation simply wouldn’t be possible. This grant represents not only the future of radiotherapy, but a heartfelt thank you to every donor, volunteer, and fundraiser who has walked this journey with us for 25 years.”