In 2002, radiographer Nicky moved to Cornwall to join the newly opened Sunrise Centre. Over two decades later, now in an operations lead role, she’s witnessed first-hand just how transformational the Sunrise Appeal has been for cancer care in Cornwall.

For Nicky, the impact of Sunrise funding goes beyond the basics – it’s about the upgrades and innovation that elevate patient care and staff capability.

Nicky said, “With the NHS, obviously money is tight and the department is fine. But with the Sunrise Appeal it’s amazing – it just makes everything much more perfect.”

Thanks to Sunrise Appeal funding, the centre has been able to invest in advanced radiotherapy machines, including a true-beam linear accelerator that delivers treatment with sub-millimetre precision – technology that simply wouldn’t have been possible through standard NHS resources alone.
Sunrise’s impact is also deeply felt in staff development and retention, which is key to maintaining high standards in treatment and care.

“From a leadership perspective, one of the biggest things is keeping staff. If we can offer lots of things for people to come, it just makes it a much more exciting place to work because everyone is wanting to put everything into it.”

As we celebrate 25 years of the Sunrise Appeal, stories like Nicky’s remind us of the legacy your support helps build. Beyond the machines, it’s about creating a centre of excellence that brings together world-class treatment, technology, and people.