• Cancer survivor raises more than £500 after hosting ABBA tribute night
• Funds received by Our Bolton NHS Charity will help enhance patient experience in Breast Unit
• Patricia Quinlan urges people over 71 to book mammogram appointments

A cancer survivor has hosted a special ABBA tribute fundraiser to raise ‘Money, Money, Money’ for the team who provided her life-changing care.

Patricia Quinlan, from Over Hulton, wanted to give back to Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s breast services, after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, to thank those who supported her throughout her treatment.

The ABBA tribute night at the local Conservative Club raised more than £500 for Our Bolton NHS Charity’s breast services specialty fund, helping to enhance patient care and experience.

Patricia called upon her best friend Ann, whose granddaughter performs in the ABBA tribute act, to help organiser the fundraiser.

Patricia said:

I was diagnosed with breast cancer and the care I received was so good, I felt very well looked after and it was all so thorough. I wanted to give something back by raising money for Our Bolton NHS Charity and the Breast Unit so they can invest in equipment and continue to provide such excellent care.

Behind the music, Patricia has a clear message to others aged 71 or over to reach out for free breast screening every three years.

Those aged 71 or over are not automatically invited, but people can phone or write to their local breast screening unit to make an appointment.

The risk of breast cancer increases with age and figures reveal 1 in 3 of all breast cancers occur in women aged 71 or over.

Pat made the call to book in her mammogram appointment and said she feels very lucky to have caught it early:

I went for my mammogram thinking nothing of it but it soon turned into 18 biopsies and a week or so later I was told I had stage one cancer. I chose to have surgery and now I’m taking tablets for a few years to help with my recovery.

“It’s so important to catch the cancer as early as possible. I would encourage everyone to go for a mammogram, it’s best to know. I received VIP treatment and the staff were absolutely brilliant.

Patricia and Ann were recently invited to the Evergreen Suite for a certificate presentation and received a tour of the unit’s three clinic rooms that are currently being transformed.

The number of clinic rooms is increasing from two to three to create a consultant hub, increasing the number of patients who can be seen and reducing waiting times.

Patricia and Ann have more plans to raise money with a jazz music event in March 2026.

Patricia added:

I get a buzz out of fundraising and I just want to help as much as I can. People in the NHS work so hard and they’re amazing people.

Every October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is marked worldwide to show support for everyone affected by breast cancer.

People can find out more information about fundraising for Our Bolton NHS Charity on Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s website.

More information about breast cancer, including links to help and support, is available on the NHS website.