AN APPRECIATION:DR FRED HANNA was born in Carrickmacross in 1914, qualifying in medicine at Trinity College, Dublin in 1939. After marrying Joan, Dr Hanna served with the Royal Army Medical Corps during the second World War. He later moved to Cheltenham to take charge of the radiotherapy service and subsequently devoted most of his professional life to the development of a cancer treatment service for the area.
Dr Hanna’s most powerful achievements were in the field of self-help by medical authorities in generating funds to achieve project goals. His efforts to raise money on behalf of his cancer treatment services were among the first large-scale projects to be achieved independently, yet within the British National Health Service, acting as inspiration for many others within the UK and around the world. He had to overcome many obstacles and administrative hurdles - at that time, it was somewhat frowned upon for doctors to raise money in the way he did.
Dr Hanna first undertook this work in 1964, when he established the Cobalt Appeal Fund. The aim was to build a modern unit at Cheltenham Hospital to provide items that could not be funded by the National Health Service at the time, including beds and powerful Cobalt radiation machines to help in the fight against cancer.
The response of the public was overwhelming, and in less than 18 months, not only was the money raised, but the centre had been built and handed over to the hospital authorities.
The Cancer Treatment Centre at Cheltenham General Hospital soon became the envy of all. Dr Hanna pioneered the replacement of stark surroundings with attractive wall coverings and murals, soft furnishings and an abundance of plants and water features to create an environment of confidence and hope for patients, families and friends. He could often be found in the evenings and weekends tending those plants and gardens himself. He remained the senior medical consultant and clinical director until his retirement in 1979.
Dr Hanna was also very involved in all aspects of voluntary community cancer work, at a local and national level in the UK. His work was recognised in 1982, when he was made a Freeman of the town of Cheltenham, an honour that had been conferred only on 25 people in the previous 100 years. In 1987, he was further honoured when he was presented with an OBE.
Dr Hanna was a quietly-spoken individual, but had a determined and authoritative personality. He was a car enthusiast, and if you saw him drive a car, it would give you a sense of his character. He drove well, with precision, but at a speed that was as fast as was appropriate.
Dr Hanna’s legacy is the Cobalt Unit Appeal Fund, which continues to grow. In 2006, a £7million state-of-the-art diagnostic centre was opened, extending help to another generation of cancer sufferers.
Dr Hanna was pre-deceased by his first wife Joan and his daughter Jill, and is survived by his second wife Mary, his children Keith and Alison, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. – JH