Panto star Kev Johns visits Singleton chemo unit

When it comes to spreading some festive cheer around a cancer centre there ain’t nothing like a dame – a panto dame, that is!

Swansea legend Kev Johns MBE is no stranger to the Chemotherapy Day Unit, or CDU, in Singleton Hospital, being a patient there himself.

But it was a very different Kev who made a special additional journey to the CDU. This time he was in full stage outfit between performances as Dame Trot in Swansea Grand Theatre’s Jack and the Beanstalk, in which he stars alongside Scott Mills.

It’s the hugely popular broadcaster, actor and Swans matchday announcer’s third panto since his cancer diagnosis in March 2021. And he has nothing but praise for the CDU staff who made it possible.

“The first panto after my diagnosis, Beauty and the Beast, was difficult,” he said. “The second one, Cinderella, was great because I’d had my surgery by then. And Jack and the Beanstalk is going great as well.”

Kev spent time touring the CDU, where he would return two days later for his ongoing treatment, hugging and chatting with staff, meeting patients and posing for numerous photographs.

“You never know how people will take a visit such as this,” he said. “If people are unwell they may not want to be bothered.

“But fortunately today everybody wanted photographs with the character, and I hope that I put a few smiles on faces.”

The chemotherapy unit is part of the South West Wales Cancer Centre, or SWWCC, which is run by Swansea Bay University Health Board. It provides a range of lifesaving NHS treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

The SWWCC celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year and a fundraising appeal has been launched by Swansea Bay Health Charity, the health board’s official charity, to commemorate the landmark.

The appeal, Going the Extra Mile for Cancer, will support the thousands of patients from the Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda areas who are cared for there every year, as well as relatives and staff.

Kev is backing the appeal and has urged as many people as possible to come up with their own fundraising ideas.

During his panto visit to the CDU, he said: “This is a great place. The staff are amazing, and they will do everything they can to make it easier for people whilst they are in having treatment.

“But I know it can be hard. This is a very busy ward. I remember they had 50-odd people come here in one day for treatment. But it’s no problem for them. They’re great staff. I absolutely love them.”

Follow this link if you want to support the Going the Extra Mile for Cancer appeal.

And follow this link to find out more about Going the Extra Mile for Cancer.