Northland patient brings gifts for Whangarei Hospital

Three months ago, Allan Waldron left Whangarei Hospital with his stomach, spleen, half a pancreas and part of his colon removed.

Yesterday he returned bearing gifts to thank staff for saving his life.

Mr Waldron is still recovering from surgery to remove a football-sized malignant tumour from his stomach.

Last week, he heard he would not have to have chemotherapy.

To show his appreciation to hospital staff, he has donated a year's subscription to Sky TV to the Intensive Care Unit and donated $1000 to the surgical ward's social club.

He had heard that a nurse on the ward had been paying for Sky TV out of her own pocket.

Critical care charge nurse Phillipa Monteith said staff were overwhelmed by the gesture.