King shares ‘instant bond’ with cancer patients during York Hospital visit
The King met patients and staff at York Hospital ahead of the opening of the £2.4m Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Cancer Centre
The King created an “instant bond” with cancer patients during a visit to York Hospital ahead of the opening of a newly redeveloped cancer care centre.
Charles, as a a royal patron of Macmillan Cancer Support, toured the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Cancer Centre, which is set to open in July.
He met patients, staff and health professionals.
Among them was 49-year-old Lou Rhodes, who is living with stage four secondary breast cancer.
Lou's also been involved in the design of the centre.
She said she immediately felt a connection with the King.
“It was amazing, an absolute honour. The King was just lovely, so personable, so friendly. I just seemed to connect with him straightaway,” she said.
“He’s got cancer, I’ve got cancer, and straightaway he sort of looked in my eyes, so you’ve got that bond I suppose.
“And I think he gets it, he understands, being a patient.”
Ms Rhodes added that she had also told the King about her father, who died from cancer, saying: “My dad would have been so proud of us today.”
The £2.4 million redevelopment of the centre aims to support thousands of patients each year, offering more personalised and community-based care.
He also visited the centre’s purpose-built garden, where he planted a Macmillan rose with staff, before being met with cheers from patients and hospital workers as he left the building.
A Macmillan spokesperson said the centre has been shaped directly by people living with cancer to create a calmer, more welcoming space away from a traditional hospital environment.
Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, Gemma Peters, said the project shows “what’s possible when local communities are truly at the heart of shaping care.”
She added: “His planting of a Macmillan Rose in the garden felt especially fitting, a lasting symbol of hope, like the centre, that will continue to grow and bring comfort to people for many years to come.”