Late artist Maureen's legacy lives on at Swansea cancer centre where she was treated
An artist’s legacy will live on at Swansea’s own cancer centre where her work has helped bring a splash of much-needed colour.
Maureen Craddock, from West Cross, was treated at the Chemotherapy Day Unit, or CDU, part of the South West Wales Cancer Centre at Singleton Hospital, before passing away in 2021.
She was a keen artist, and her family have donated a series of her paintings to the CDU. Not only that but they have donated a four-figure sum towards the cost of new murals at the unit.
(Main image above shows Maureen's husband Nigel Craddock, daughter Jennie Palmer and her children Isaac and Lucas, clinical nurse specialist Julie Johns and consultant oncologist Steve Kihara)
The murals formed part of a major upgrade of the CDU. This followed its move from a single storey building at the back of Singleton to Ward 9 within the main hospital building in 2023.
The upgrade was designed to make the former cardiac ward a warmer and more welcoming environment for chemotherapy patients.
It included a series of themed rooms, new flooring, additional treatment chairs and decorative touches such as murals. All of it was paid for by generous donations to the cancer centre.
Maureen’s husband Nigel Craddock and daughter Jennie Palmer visited the CDU to donate the £1,800, raised by family and friends, along with a series of paintings of dogs and other animals – all Maureen’s work (see photograph).
Jennie said: “We came to the idea of donating some pictures because mum did a lot of paintings when she retired down here.
“We’ve got many of them in the house, but we thought it would be better if more people were able to benefit from them.”
During their visit, Nigel and Julie were reunited with consultant oncologist Steve Kihara and clinical nurse specialist Julie Johns, who both cared for Maureen during her time in the CDU.
Jennie, who had travelled from Poland with her two young children for the occasion, said they decided to raise money for the CDU as they wanted to do something more lasting.
Nigel added: “Maureen was never unhappy at the thought of coming up for chemotherapy, because of the wonderful people on the CDU.
“She always had stories to tell when she came back, and it made her happy.”
Last autumn, Swansea Bay Health Charity, the health board’s official charity, launched a fundraising appeal to mark the 20th anniversary of the South West Wales Cancer Centre, or SWWCC.
Called Going the Extra Mile for Cancer, the appeal aims to raise £200,000 to support patients, families and staff.
Follow this link to find out more about the appeal and to donate.
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