Ipswich Hospital patient marks 50th birthday by giving back to cancer care team An Ipswich Hospital patient has marked her 50th birthday by asking friends and family to donate to the hospital team caring for her, instead of buying presents. Tina Russo, who is currently receiving treatment for triple negative breast cancer, raised an incredible £1,955 through donations at her birthday celebration. The money will support the Woolverstone Centre team at Ipswich Hospital, helping fund additional training, equipment and wellbeing initiatives for staff who provide care and support to patients during treatment. For Tina, the decision to give back was an easy one. After first being diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2022, she underwent chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. During that time, her young son Mitchell, then just three-and-a-half, also took on his own fundraising challenge, running the equivalent of an ultra-marathon across October. Following a period of remission, Tina began feeling breathless before Christmas and later discovered the cancer had returned. She is now receiving ongoing treatment at Ipswich Hospital. She said the kindness, dedication and care shown by the team has made a huge difference. “They work so hard. Sometimes they don’t get their lunch until late in the afternoon, but if you ask them a question and they don’t know the answer, they go away and within minutes they’re back again. I just definitely wanted it to go there.” Her 50th birthday celebration brought together family and friends, with guests generously making donations. Tina said: “It was really good, but quite overwhelming because there were so many people there. It was just such a nice atmosphere, with people I hadn’t seen for ages. I didn’t want presents, I just wanted to give something back.” Tina’s family have also continued to support fundraising efforts, with Mitchell recently also taking part in a fun run alongside his family. Sandra Gosney, community fundraising manager said: “We are incredibly grateful to Tina, her family and everyone who donated so generously. To choose to give back while going through treatment herself is truly inspiring. “Donations like this help us support our hospital teams and fund the extras that make a real difference for patients, families and staff.” Manage Cookie Preferences