A spinal surgery team from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital will be taking on an epic week-long endurance challenge in support of patients with scoliosis and other spinal deformities.
Scheduled to coincide with Scoliosis Awareness Month in June, the team will be traveling across Norfolk by water, land and bike to raise money to purchase new specialised equipment for the hospital that will improve patients’ lives.
What is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a condition that causes curvature of the spine and affects millions of people worldwide. It is often first picked up in children and teenagers, but can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. It can cause back pain and impact a person’s posture, mobility and overall quality of life.
The team, led by Consultant Spinal Surgeon Tom Marjoram, are hoping to raise enough money to purchase a Low Dose X-Ray Imaging System, which has the ability to take images with a 70% reduction in radiation exposure. This is particularly important for children who are more vulnerable to radiation exposure, especially to the abdomen and pelvis.
Improving patient care
Tom said: “This system will help to reduce waiting times for diagnostic imaging and will mean that patients who require regular repeat scanning, especially from childhood, will receive lower doses of radiation across their lifetime, reducing the possibility of long-term harm that comes from radiation exposure, while providing improved diagnostic accuracy that will enhance surgical planning.
“The system costs around £800,000 and every penny that you are able to donate will help towards that total.”
The machine can also be used to image other parts of the body so will have a much wider impact than just the spine.
An epic challenge
The endurance challenge will see Tom’s team covering more than 20 miles a day. They’ll start by travelling by river from Norwich to as close to the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston as possible. This will then be followed by a walk along the North Norfolk coast path to Cromer, where they’ll stop at Cromer Hospital, before making their way to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn. The week will finish with a cycle ride along the Rebellion Way back to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
Find out more and how to support the team here.
