Home of the Hastings and Bexhill Breast Cancer Support Group
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Home of the Hastings and Bexhill Breast Cancer Support Group |
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These reports will
help members unable to attend a meeting keep up with what's been happening, and
give non-members an idea of what we do at our meetings. January meeting 2010 Was to have been our meal out, which was postponed due to the weather conditions. This was our first meeting of the year as we were unable to meet for a meal together in January due to bad weather. Two very happy members of the group reported on the progress of their reconstructive surgery that was being carried out at East Grinstead under Mr Pickford. It was interesting to hear first hand of their experiences to be able to ask questions, and even get a viewing of the results so far, a real help to others who may be considering this way forward in the future. Claire asked if we would like to have Marian Finn, Lymphoedema nurse, come and speak to us at one of our meetings, as she and other members of the group have found her sessions on self massage very helpful – it was agreed that we would try and get her to visit us at our May meeting. Debbie brought along some ideas for a new newsletter, which were discussed and she asked for members to go away and think about it and feed back to her at the next meeting in March. Our March meeting has changed from our original plan. We will now be meeting on March 10th – not 3rd at Nobles Restaurant, Battle where we will be able to enjoy the meal that we had planned for January. Debbie will contact members re change of date and to check their choices from the menu. Gloria reported that MacMillan have now refurbished the therapy room at the Conquest Hospital, and that there is an amazing new range of leaflets available, and a hope that there will eventually be computer access for cancer patients to be able to find out even more information. The room is used at the moment for reflexology and by Headstrong. Pam explained that the some of the committee that had previously organised the Cancer Research Relay for Life had now got together to form 1066 Country Relay Fundraisers, and that this year they were organising a series of events to raise money for local charities, Sarah Lee Trust, St Michael’s Hospice, The Demelza Trust (hospice for children),RSPCA (Mallydams and Bluebell; cattery) and for CRUK. The events organised so far are:-
- further details can be found on www.1066fundraisers.co.uk .Our meeting this month took the form of a group meal out at Nobles Restaurant, Battle, and what a wonderful evening we all had. The food was delicious, the company, great, what could have been better. A huge thank you to Deborah for organising, and reorganising the event, when the weather had been bad in January. Four new members joined us for our meeting and so we started off with a "round robin" giving a few details about ourselves and the treatment we’d had. We have heard from other new members that they found it encouraging hearing from those who’d had their treatment not only a couple of years previously but 5. 10, 15 years ago, and are now fit, healthy and obviously enjoying life. Janet reported that she had made arrangements for members of the group to visit Nicola Jane, mastectomy bra specialists on April 21st. Nicola Jane were providing a minibus to pick up and transport members to their shop in Chichester. Catalogues had been sent through with a 10% discount voucher. A couple of our new members were very keen to go along as they were still unsure about bras etc after surgery. Gloria mentioned that she had received Breast Cancer Care’s latest newsletter which announced the date for their London Fashion Show, October 7th 2010. We decided that we would again fund for two members to attend the event and names and addresses were collected from those who would like to put their name in a draw for a ticket. The list will be out again next month to see if anyone else would like to be added to the list and then the names will be drawn. Jean, our treasurer, also agreed to set up a card system for other members who would like to buy a ticket but couldn’t afford the £60 in one payment. Whilst the meeting was taking place, two teenagers arrived with sponsor money for Cancer Research UK and St Michaels Hospice; Pat reported that they had been part of her team who had recently taken part in the 1066 Country Fundraisers 10 hour cycle relay. A 20 hour walking relay is to take place on September 11/12th. Last year a number of ladies from the group took part in Cancer Research UK’s 24hr Relay for Life. This year there will not be a CRUK Relay for Life in Hastings, but a local committee, 1066 Country Relay Fundraisers, have got together with people in the community to raise money for CRUK, St Michaels’ Hospice, Sarah Lee Trust, Demelza Children’s Hospice, RSPCA local branch, members of the groupwere invited to take part in the September Relay. Travel insurance for Breast cancer sufferers is an item that has been brought up at our meetings at various times and Sarah told us that she had been very successful in getting her travel insurance from Insurepink. Looking them up on the internet this is what they have to say Our competitive travel insurance has been created for all, in consultation with established breast cancer charities that understand the issues faced by those affected by breast cancer, especially when seeking affordable travel insurance. We believe insurepink addresses the main issues:· Fairness when providing cover for everyone with the condition, as well as everyone who simply wants to support the cause· The same process for obtaining cover, with or without the condition· Reflecting the true risks of holiday travel, not the perceived risk of travelling with a severe condition· Standard competitive insurance for you and your family· Changing insurance for the better and giving something back so everyone benefitsIn addition to this insurepink donate £1.00 to the pink ribbon foundation for every travel policy they sell. Dates for your calendar There was great feedback from members over the "Nicola Jane" trip, a huge success by all accounts. Nicola Jane provided a mini bus to transport members down to their shop in Chichester, where they were treated to a lunch and given plenty of advice and help in choosing appropriate underwear and swimwear. Everyone came home grateful for the advice they had been given and with at least one or two purchases. Thanks were given to Janet for organising this event. Whilst in Chichester a few members of the groups stumbled on Cancerwise, a centre that gives support to cancer patients, their careers and supporters, having read their website we all wished we could have such a centre as this in East Sussex. After a discussion on Lymphoedema, we decided that we would like a Lymphoedema nurse to come along to one of our meetings. We had tried to organise this earlier in the year but The Lymphoedema nurse from the Conquest had moved on, Gloria said she would speak to someone at the hospital to see what could be arranged. The London Fashion Show was again discussed; more names were added to the list of those wanting to go, and the two names drawn for a free ticket, Debbie and Pat A. Congratulations. All others wishing to purchase tickets need to give their names to Jean, this year tickets have gone up slightly to £65. Chris is taking part in this years Race for Life and welcomed sponsors. Heather had stumbled across another mastectomy website www.aboutthegirl.com which she thought might be of interest – very pretty underwear.Pat’s GP had told her that from 1st April 2010 anyone who has had a diagnosis of cancer is entitled to exemption from prescription charges, she filled in a form obtained from her surgery, her doctor countersigned it and her exemption card arrived approx 10 days later. Dates for your Diary July 17th - Ninfield Carnival, bric a brac stall raising money for our group 1066country fundraisers events– raising money for CRUK, St Michaels Hospice, Sarah Lee Trust Demelza Children’s Hospice RSPCA Mallydams and Bluebell Cattery December Meeting 2010 2005 Reports. 2006 Reports 2007 Reports 2008 Reports 2010: January ~ February ~ April ~ May ~ June ~ July ~ August ~ September ~ October ~ December ~ Top of Page
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