This is an update on Barnet based charity, Cherry Lodge Cancer Care.Published February 2013.
6
TREATMENT IN PROGRESS by Dennis West Cherry Lodge News WINTER 2013 Cherry Lodge Cancer Care · Howard House · 23 Union Street · Barnet · Hertfordshire EN5 4HY T: 020 8441 7000 · E: [email protected] · W: www.cherrylodgecancercare.org.uk Editor: Keith Everest I was found to have a tumour in the sigmoid colon in December 2011, a CT scan showed no metastases so the plan was straightforward: to do a resection of the bowel by keyhole surgery. In the event this was not possible and so the tumour was removed by open surgery. This change was a lucky one since it was possible to exam- ine the liver and metastases were found which may not have been dis- covered otherwise until they were un- treatable. A three- month course of chemotherapy fol- lowed the surgery and it was on the first day of this at the Whit- tington Hospital that I heard of Cherry Lodge. The recep- tionist in the chemotherapy suite told us that she had visited this cancer care cen- tre, the people there were friendly and the premises well set up. Very important- ly for me, as it turned out, she also said that a patient who had chemotherapy at the Whittington had found the acupuncture he had in this centre very effective in reducing side effects. During the first two cycles my wife and I, still in shock at the discovery of the liver metastases, hadn’t got our- selves organised to contact Cherry Lodge, even though this had been our intention, but before the third we made an appointment, saw a friendly Macmillan Cancer Information Nurse and made arrange- ments for me to have acupuncture. Amazingly this therapy totally prevented the nau- sea I had felt previ- ously and more or less eliminated the abdominal disturbance I had been experiencing. So… both of us are very grateful to the Whitting- ton chemotherapy suite receptionist, to the Macmillan Information Nurse and the acupunctur- ist at Cherry Lodge, as to the person on the desk with her Dennis relaxing on Hayling Island.
Transcript
TReaTmenT in pRogRess
by Dennis West
Cherry Lodge NewsW I N T E R 2 0 1 3
Cherry Lodge Cancer Care · Howard House · 23 Union Street · Barnet · Hertfordshire EN5 4HY T: 020 8441 7000 · E: [email protected] · W: www.cherrylodgecancercare.org.uk
Edito
r: K
eith
Eve
rest
Cherry Lodge Cancer Care · Howard House · 23 Union Street · Barnet · Hertfordshire EN5 4HY Charity number: 1011629
i was found to have a tumour in the sigmoid colon in December
2011, a CT scan showed no metastases so the plan was straightforward: to do a resection of the bowel by keyhole surgery. in the event this was not possible and so the tumour was removed by open surgery. This change was a lucky one since it was possible to exam-ine the liver and metastases were found which may not have been dis-covered otherwise until they were un-treatable. a three-month course of chemotherapy fol-lowed the surgery and it was on the first day of this at the Whit-tington Hospital that i heard of Cherry Lodge. The recep-tionist in the chemotherapy suite told us that she had
visited this cancer care cen-tre, the people there were friendly and the premises well set up. Very important-ly for me, as it turned out, she also said that a patient who had chemotherapy at
the Whittington had found the acupuncture he had in this centre very effective in reducing side effects.
During the first two cycles
my wife and i, still in shock at the discovery of the liver metastases, hadn’t got our-selves organised to contact Cherry Lodge, even though this had been our intention, but before the third we made an appointment, saw a friendly macmillan Cancer
information nurse and made arrange-ments for me to have acupuncture. amazingly this therapy totally prevented the nau-sea i had felt previ-ously and more or less eliminated the abdominal disturbance i had been experiencing. so… both of us are very grateful to the Whitting-ton chemotherapy
suite receptionist, to the macmillan information nurse and the acupunctur-ist at Cherry Lodge, as to the person on the desk with her
Our Services & Approach
We believe that cancer support is not just about the time when you are in hospital – it is about your quality of life. At Cherry Lodge we work in partnership with hospital and community healthcare providers, and offer the additional support that individuals living with cancer so badly need. Our professional healthcare team works with the support of trained and experienced volunteers to provide a range of services. Services that our members want and need. Our services include:❋ Consultations with
Cancer Information Nurses and counselling
❋ Healthy living advice sessions throughout the region
❋ A comprehensive Home Visiting Service (Befriending) – delivered across North London and South Hertfordshire
❋ Group Activities – including open discussion and treatment sessions, and tailored exercise classes
❋ Relaxation therapies delivered by qualified volunteers, from medical acupuncture to massage
❋ Education classes, and a well stocked resource library.
New Faces
Keith everest
i’m Keith the new Fundraiser at Cherry Lodge Cancer Care. i joined Cherry Lodge just before Christmas from another charity called Feed the minds, which runs adult education projects across africa, india and south america. Whilst the services of Cherry Lodge are different, the job of a fundraiser is quite similar.
i hope to increase Cherry Lodge’s income, so we can develop the number and quality of services provided. Building on the successes of my predecessor Theresa i plan to continue running our large profitable events, make our shops into the best charity shops on the high street, and utilize other available sources of funds.
it has been encouraging to hear how we have improved the lives of local people dealing with cancer, and i hope that my work over the coming years will enable us to help many more individuals in north London and south Hertfordshire.
Like the other staff here at Cherry Lodge, my success will depend on the support
of our volunteers; who allow us to run our shops and van, put on our diverse programme of events, do a large amount of our administration, and take up challenges like runs, swims, and jumps. i am so grateful for all of your hard work, but please just bear with me whilst i learn your names!
if i haven’t met you yet, i hope i will soon, and if you have been thinking of supporting Cherry Lodge but haven’t decided how, then please give me a call or come and have a chat with me.
Carol Coles
Well, it’s my turn to introduce myself! i’m Carol and i joined Cherry Lodge in september 2012, replacing michelle as Cancer information & support secretary. one of my main tasks is to ensure that the diary system we use works as efficiently as possible. i am responsible for scheduling initial or follow up appointments with our two lovely macmillan nurses, Fiona and Kirsty. i also arrange appointments for our members with all of our therapists. i am gradually getting to know our members and can now
put names to some faces. others i have spoken to several times over the telephone but have not always had the pleasure of meeting in person. i look forward to meeting more of you. my hours of work are monday & Wednesday 9am-1pm, Tuesday & Thursday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4pm. i’ve received a warm welcome from everyone and am delighted to be part of the Cherry Lodge family.
Daryl Forster
our Borehamwood shop manager,is, to use his own words « a very happy man in a job i love». Daryl has been in Borehamwood since July 2012 and has worked exceedingly hard to get the shop where and how it is at the moment. a number of hard working and reliable volunteers have joined his team which also includes the assistant manager Terry who , as it happens is Daryl’s mother. The two work very well together and there is always a good atmosphere in the shop which is kept very clean and tidy despite the considerable comings and goings of people and donated items. Having many years of retail experience at WH smith, Daryl is a huge asset to Cherry Lodge.
Volunteeringby Keith everest
Volunteers are really appre-ciated at Cherry Lodge. it is thanks to everyone who gives up their time, that we can provide such amaz-ing cancer support free of charge.
We have volunteer oppor-tunities across the organisa-tion, from the very hands on role of being a reflexologist, to helping carry donations
on and off our van, to the slightly more sedate posi-tions working in our shops and office.
if you can give a few hours support, on a short or long term basis, then we would love to hear from you. please call Yvonne shield our Volunteer Co-ordinator, who will talk you through our current vacancies.
We have two great charity shops in Borehamwood and Barnet that raise funds to support our cancer support work across the region, but their continued success relies on your donations.
if you have any quality new or used; clothes, furniture, china, toys, shoes or similar, then please get in touch.
as a rule of thumb, we only accept goods that you would be happy to buy, we can’t take damaged, broken, stained, or ripped goods, and any soft furnishings need to
Donating goods to our shopshave fire retardant labels. if you are unsure please ask a member of our shop team, and if you have large items or a large quantity of donations, we may be able to collect them, just contact our Borehamwood shop manager Daryl Forster.
NEWS! Free hairdressing service at cherry Lodge
BoREhamWood Shop: 111 Shenley Road,
Borehamwood, WD6 1AG.Telephone: 020 8953 1094
BaRNET Shop: 1A, Church Passage,
Barnet, EN5 4QSTelephone: 020 8440 6287
Dennis relaxing on Hayling Island.
L e a v i n g a L e g a c yIt is depressing to think about a time when you can’t do the things you enjoy or see the people you love, but writing a will can be a positive action. It gives you the power to improve things that you feel passionately about.
Cherry Lodge is such a success and serves so many people, because of the very generous legacies that we have received. Gifts in Wills have allowed us to purchase Howard House, where Cherry Lodge is now based, and make it so welcoming, with such a beautiful garden.
If you have been thinking about leaving Cherry Lodge a gift in your will, then why not call Keith Everest our Fundraiser. He will talk through some of the options, and send through example wording for your will, to make sure your gift goes where you believe it should.
warm welcome, for an al-most trouble free movement through what is now two regimes of chemotherapy.
There is, however, much more to be said in praise of Cherry Lodge. We (both my wife and I) have found the drop-ins every other Thursday to be a really helpful experience. The greeting is cheery, the atmosphere comfortable, the tone up-beat and the treatments a God-send in helping to reduce anxiety and to maintain a sense of wellbeing through the ups and downs of cancer treatment. The therapists we have known have, through their gifts, given a quiet confidence that somehow there is cause for peace. In addition, those attending these evenings who are living with cancer vary in the length of their acquaintance with the disease, so there is always much to be learnt from and to give each other.
Yet these occasions are more than a support group for the conversation ranges over many topics, just as normal conversation does; they are, thus, an opportunity to feel and be ‘normal’ in a society which, even though large numbers contract this disease, still tends to see cancer as stigmatising. For this reason also the drop-ins are a relief and a rest.
All in all, then, a big ‘thank you’ to Cherry Lodge, to those who have made and make it possible, and to all who work and go there.
Anyone for exercise?
By Fiona KiddleMacmillan Cancer Information Nurse
Oh dear it’s that dreaded
word – E X E R C I S E !
Everywhere we turn there it
is again. We all know that we should do it but where to find the motivation to get started. The word always conjures up the picture of going to the gym, lifting weights or pounding around the park in tracksuits and expensive trainers. So perhaps we should change the word and find one rather more user friendly and find a definition that is encouraging rather than daunting.
How about:
Exercise is an effort made to achieve something and effect change?
Too wordy! So what is this all about? Read on.
In June 2012 Macmillan Cancer support produced a review The importance
of physical activity for people living with and beyond cancer – a concise evidence report. It highlights the growing evi-dence supporting the role of physical activity both during and after cancer treatment, by improving physical func-
tion and psychological well being. Interesting to note that whereas we used to ad-vise people to rest as much as possible during treatment we now know that keeping active during and after treat-ment can ease tiredness and fatigue, reduce stress/anxi-ety/depression, improve bone and heart health, build muscle strength, and help maintain a healthy weight. Any regular activity helps you sleep better, improves the appetite, and can relieve pain and improve the range of movement. We must also not forget the benefits of reducing other health risks, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes (type 2) and strokes.
One of the most compelling aspects of this evidence is about reducing the risks of some cancers progressing or coming back. The recommendation is to do at least 2.5 hours of moderate intensity physical activity a week. It is important that this is built up very gradually doing a little as often as you can. Macmillan have produced an excellent resource Move more: your complete guide to being active to help you become more active and help you choose achievable realistic goals
rather than setting targets which are doomed for failure before you’ve barely stared. These booklets can be obtained from Cherry Lodge free of charge or by contacting Macmillan direct on 0808 808 00 00.
Macmillan have also teamed up with ‘Ramblers’ encouraging more people to become physically active in their local communities. They are supporting the largest network of health walk schemes across Eng-land, offering regular short walks over easy terrain with trained walk leaders.
When I see people at Cherry Lodge I am constantly encouraging them to think about how they can introduce an exercise programme into their week and I list all the advantages that it will bring. However my confession is
that I always come away feeling slightly guilty as I do not do what I preach. I mean to but I am having difficulty finding that ‘on’ button in my brain. So with January now over it will need to be my February resolution to programme that half hour into my daily routine and reap the rewards!
Please do stop and ask me how my ‘getting active’ programme is progressing and if you notice any hesitation do feel free to remind me of the following facts (taken from NHS choices):
TO D AY I S T H E D AY T H AT I A M G O I N G TO T H I N K A B O U T T H I N K I N G
A B O U T J O I N I N G T H E GY M .
Looking at the snow in my garden today the summer of London
2012 Olympics seems a long time ago. However the memories of all the sporting events, and my personal involvement in the games, will stay with me for a long time. Only yesterday I was in a school presenting an ActionAid assembly and the teacher announced that she had also been a Games Maker so we spent a good 10 minutes, to the amusement of the children, recounting our exciting experiences!
My role as a Games Maker was as a driver and I was based for three weeks at the Olympic Park. We were given a brand new BMW and our own special lanes to drive in which were brilliant. Passing all the commuters driving into London on the M4 early on a Monday morning was very satisfying. It did however take me the whole of my first 10 hour shift to manage to find the official route from Stratford Park to Horse Guards as our Satnav did not always work! It is quite a skill chatting to people you have never met before and navigating your way around London without getting lost especially as I do have a terrible sense of direction. Happily I did not
It is medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have:
up to a 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
up to a 50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes
up to a 50% lower risk of colon cancer
up to a 20% lower risk of breast cancer
a 30% lower risk of early death
up to an 83% lower risk of osteoarthritis
up to a 68% lower risk of hip fracture
a 30% lower risk of falls (among older adults)
up to a 30% lower risk of depression
up to a 30% lower risk of dementia
‘If exercise were a pill, it would be one of the most cost-effective drugs ever invented’
… is a quote from Dr Nick Cavill, a health promotion consultant.
The London 2012 Olympics By Sarah Armitage
Vice-Chairman and Fundraising Volunteer
get lost while transporting visitors in the car and usually managed the quickest route!
We drove Olympic officials and athletes and, even though I had no one famous, everyone in my car was delightful and so enthusiastic about London. One of my fellow drivers did give a lift to Jonathan Edwards, knew he was someone she recognised, but called him Lord Coe as he left the car! He forgave her and thought it was funny.
I have some great memories from the games, in particular being at the dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony which was amazing. Watching the closing ceremony fireworks
outside the stadium while waiting at midnight for a passenger from the organising committee, sitting on the tube and everyone chatting and asking questions. Memories of the army personnel at the checkpoints who were always cheerful as they searched our vehicles and returning back to park in the evenings with all the amazing lights on the outside of the athletics stadium.
Being a Games Maker was an honour and lots of fun and it reminded me why I enjoy volunteering. It provided new challenges and experiences and I met the most amazing people just as I do here: at Cherry Lodge.
L e a v i n g a L e g a c yIt is depressing to think about a time when you can’t do the things you enjoy or see the people you love, but writing a will can be a positive action. It gives you the power to improve things that you feel passionately about.
Cherry Lodge is such a success and serves so many people, because of the very generous legacies that we have received. Gifts in Wills have allowed us to purchase Howard House, where Cherry Lodge is now based, and make it so welcoming, with such a beautiful garden.
If you have been thinking about leaving Cherry Lodge a gift in your will, then why not call Keith Everest our Fundraiser. He will talk through some of the options, and send through example wording for your will, to make sure your gift goes where you believe it should.
warm welcome, for an al-most trouble free movement through what is now two regimes of chemotherapy.
There is, however, much more to be said in praise of Cherry Lodge. We (both my wife and I) have found the drop-ins every other Thursday to be a really helpful experience. The greeting is cheery, the atmosphere comfortable, the tone up-beat and the treatments a God-send in helping to reduce anxiety and to maintain a sense of wellbeing through the ups and downs of cancer treatment. The therapists we have known have, through their gifts, given a quiet confidence that somehow there is cause for peace. In addition, those attending these evenings who are living with cancer vary in the length of their acquaintance with the disease, so there is always much to be learnt from and to give each other.
Yet these occasions are more than a support group for the conversation ranges over many topics, just as normal conversation does; they are, thus, an opportunity to feel and be ‘normal’ in a society which, even though large numbers contract this disease, still tends to see cancer as stigmatising. For this reason also the drop-ins are a relief and a rest.
All in all, then, a big ‘thank you’ to Cherry Lodge, to those who have made and make it possible, and to all who work and go there.
Anyone for exercise?
By Fiona KiddleMacmillan Cancer Information Nurse
Oh dear it’s that dreaded
word – E X E R C I S E !
Everywhere we turn there it
is again. We all know that we should do it but where to find the motivation to get started. The word always conjures up the picture of going to the gym, lifting weights or pounding around the park in tracksuits and expensive trainers. So perhaps we should change the word and find one rather more user friendly and find a definition that is encouraging rather than daunting.
How about:
Exercise is an effort made to achieve something and effect change?
Too wordy! So what is this all about? Read on.
In June 2012 Macmillan Cancer support produced a review The importance
of physical activity for people living with and beyond cancer – a concise evidence report. It highlights the growing evi-dence supporting the role of physical activity both during and after cancer treatment, by improving physical func-
tion and psychological well being. Interesting to note that whereas we used to ad-vise people to rest as much as possible during treatment we now know that keeping active during and after treat-ment can ease tiredness and fatigue, reduce stress/anxi-ety/depression, improve bone and heart health, build muscle strength, and help maintain a healthy weight. Any regular activity helps you sleep better, improves the appetite, and can relieve pain and improve the range of movement. We must also not forget the benefits of reducing other health risks, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes (type 2) and strokes.
One of the most compelling aspects of this evidence is about reducing the risks of some cancers progressing or coming back. The recommendation is to do at least 2.5 hours of moderate intensity physical activity a week. It is important that this is built up very gradually doing a little as often as you can. Macmillan have produced an excellent resource Move more: your complete guide to being active to help you become more active and help you choose achievable realistic goals
rather than setting targets which are doomed for failure before you’ve barely stared. These booklets can be obtained from Cherry Lodge free of charge or by contacting Macmillan direct on 0808 808 00 00.
Macmillan have also teamed up with ‘Ramblers’ encouraging more people to become physically active in their local communities. They are supporting the largest network of health walk schemes across Eng-land, offering regular short walks over easy terrain with trained walk leaders.
When I see people at Cherry Lodge I am constantly encouraging them to think about how they can introduce an exercise programme into their week and I list all the advantages that it will bring. However my confession is
that I always come away feeling slightly guilty as I do not do what I preach. I mean to but I am having difficulty finding that ‘on’ button in my brain. So with January now over it will need to be my February resolution to programme that half hour into my daily routine and reap the rewards!
Please do stop and ask me how my ‘getting active’ programme is progressing and if you notice any hesitation do feel free to remind me of the following facts (taken from NHS choices):
TO D AY I S T H E D AY T H AT I A M G O I N G TO T H I N K A B O U T T H I N K I N G
A B O U T J O I N I N G T H E GY M .
Looking at the snow in my garden today the summer of London
2012 Olympics seems a long time ago. However the memories of all the sporting events, and my personal involvement in the games, will stay with me for a long time. Only yesterday I was in a school presenting an ActionAid assembly and the teacher announced that she had also been a Games Maker so we spent a good 10 minutes, to the amusement of the children, recounting our exciting experiences!
My role as a Games Maker was as a driver and I was based for three weeks at the Olympic Park. We were given a brand new BMW and our own special lanes to drive in which were brilliant. Passing all the commuters driving into London on the M4 early on a Monday morning was very satisfying. It did however take me the whole of my first 10 hour shift to manage to find the official route from Stratford Park to Horse Guards as our Satnav did not always work! It is quite a skill chatting to people you have never met before and navigating your way around London without getting lost especially as I do have a terrible sense of direction. Happily I did not
It is medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have:
up to a 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
up to a 50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes
up to a 50% lower risk of colon cancer
up to a 20% lower risk of breast cancer
a 30% lower risk of early death
up to an 83% lower risk of osteoarthritis
up to a 68% lower risk of hip fracture
a 30% lower risk of falls (among older adults)
up to a 30% lower risk of depression
up to a 30% lower risk of dementia
‘If exercise were a pill, it would be one of the most cost-effective drugs ever invented’
… is a quote from Dr Nick Cavill, a health promotion consultant.
The London 2012 Olympics By Sarah Armitage
Vice-Chairman and Fundraising Volunteer
get lost while transporting visitors in the car and usually managed the quickest route!
We drove Olympic officials and athletes and, even though I had no one famous, everyone in my car was delightful and so enthusiastic about London. One of my fellow drivers did give a lift to Jonathan Edwards, knew he was someone she recognised, but called him Lord Coe as he left the car! He forgave her and thought it was funny.
I have some great memories from the games, in particular being at the dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony which was amazing. Watching the closing ceremony fireworks
outside the stadium while waiting at midnight for a passenger from the organising committee, sitting on the tube and everyone chatting and asking questions. Memories of the army personnel at the checkpoints who were always cheerful as they searched our vehicles and returning back to park in the evenings with all the amazing lights on the outside of the athletics stadium.
Being a Games Maker was an honour and lots of fun and it reminded me why I enjoy volunteering. It provided new challenges and experiences and I met the most amazing people just as I do here: at Cherry Lodge.
L e a v i n g a L e g a c yIt is depressing to think about a time when you can’t do the things you enjoy or see the people you love, but writing a will can be a positive action. It gives you the power to improve things that you feel passionately about.
Cherry Lodge is such a success and serves so many people, because of the very generous legacies that we have received. Gifts in Wills have allowed us to purchase Howard House, where Cherry Lodge is now based, and make it so welcoming, with such a beautiful garden.
If you have been thinking about leaving Cherry Lodge a gift in your will, then why not call Keith Everest our Fundraiser. He will talk through some of the options, and send through example wording for your will, to make sure your gift goes where you believe it should.
warm welcome, for an al-most trouble free movement through what is now two regimes of chemotherapy.
There is, however, much more to be said in praise of Cherry Lodge. We (both my wife and I) have found the drop-ins every other Thursday to be a really helpful experience. The greeting is cheery, the atmosphere comfortable, the tone up-beat and the treatments a God-send in helping to reduce anxiety and to maintain a sense of wellbeing through the ups and downs of cancer treatment. The therapists we have known have, through their gifts, given a quiet confidence that somehow there is cause for peace. In addition, those attending these evenings who are living with cancer vary in the length of their acquaintance with the disease, so there is always much to be learnt from and to give each other.
Yet these occasions are more than a support group for the conversation ranges over many topics, just as normal conversation does; they are, thus, an opportunity to feel and be ‘normal’ in a society which, even though large numbers contract this disease, still tends to see cancer as stigmatising. For this reason also the drop-ins are a relief and a rest.
All in all, then, a big ‘thank you’ to Cherry Lodge, to those who have made and make it possible, and to all who work and go there.
Anyone for exercise?
By Fiona KiddleMacmillan Cancer Information Nurse
Oh dear it’s that dreaded
word – E X E R C I S E !
Everywhere we turn there it
is again. We all know that we should do it but where to find the motivation to get started. The word always conjures up the picture of going to the gym, lifting weights or pounding around the park in tracksuits and expensive trainers. So perhaps we should change the word and find one rather more user friendly and find a definition that is encouraging rather than daunting.
How about:
Exercise is an effort made to achieve something and effect change?
Too wordy! So what is this all about? Read on.
In June 2012 Macmillan Cancer support produced a review The importance
of physical activity for people living with and beyond cancer – a concise evidence report. It highlights the growing evi-dence supporting the role of physical activity both during and after cancer treatment, by improving physical func-
tion and psychological well being. Interesting to note that whereas we used to ad-vise people to rest as much as possible during treatment we now know that keeping active during and after treat-ment can ease tiredness and fatigue, reduce stress/anxi-ety/depression, improve bone and heart health, build muscle strength, and help maintain a healthy weight. Any regular activity helps you sleep better, improves the appetite, and can relieve pain and improve the range of movement. We must also not forget the benefits of reducing other health risks, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes (type 2) and strokes.
One of the most compelling aspects of this evidence is about reducing the risks of some cancers progressing or coming back. The recommendation is to do at least 2.5 hours of moderate intensity physical activity a week. It is important that this is built up very gradually doing a little as often as you can. Macmillan have produced an excellent resource Move more: your complete guide to being active to help you become more active and help you choose achievable realistic goals
rather than setting targets which are doomed for failure before you’ve barely stared. These booklets can be obtained from Cherry Lodge free of charge or by contacting Macmillan direct on 0808 808 00 00.
Macmillan have also teamed up with ‘Ramblers’ encouraging more people to become physically active in their local communities. They are supporting the largest network of health walk schemes across Eng-land, offering regular short walks over easy terrain with trained walk leaders.
When I see people at Cherry Lodge I am constantly encouraging them to think about how they can introduce an exercise programme into their week and I list all the advantages that it will bring. However my confession is
that I always come away feeling slightly guilty as I do not do what I preach. I mean to but I am having difficulty finding that ‘on’ button in my brain. So with January now over it will need to be my February resolution to programme that half hour into my daily routine and reap the rewards!
Please do stop and ask me how my ‘getting active’ programme is progressing and if you notice any hesitation do feel free to remind me of the following facts (taken from NHS choices):
TO D AY I S T H E D AY T H AT I A M G O I N G TO T H I N K A B O U T T H I N K I N G
A B O U T J O I N I N G T H E GY M .
Looking at the snow in my garden today the summer of London
2012 Olympics seems a long time ago. However the memories of all the sporting events, and my personal involvement in the games, will stay with me for a long time. Only yesterday I was in a school presenting an ActionAid assembly and the teacher announced that she had also been a Games Maker so we spent a good 10 minutes, to the amusement of the children, recounting our exciting experiences!
My role as a Games Maker was as a driver and I was based for three weeks at the Olympic Park. We were given a brand new BMW and our own special lanes to drive in which were brilliant. Passing all the commuters driving into London on the M4 early on a Monday morning was very satisfying. It did however take me the whole of my first 10 hour shift to manage to find the official route from Stratford Park to Horse Guards as our Satnav did not always work! It is quite a skill chatting to people you have never met before and navigating your way around London without getting lost especially as I do have a terrible sense of direction. Happily I did not
It is medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have:
up to a 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
up to a 50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes
up to a 50% lower risk of colon cancer
up to a 20% lower risk of breast cancer
a 30% lower risk of early death
up to an 83% lower risk of osteoarthritis
up to a 68% lower risk of hip fracture
a 30% lower risk of falls (among older adults)
up to a 30% lower risk of depression
up to a 30% lower risk of dementia
‘If exercise were a pill, it would be one of the most cost-effective drugs ever invented’
… is a quote from Dr Nick Cavill, a health promotion consultant.
The London 2012 Olympics By Sarah Armitage
Vice-Chairman and Fundraising Volunteer
get lost while transporting visitors in the car and usually managed the quickest route!
We drove Olympic officials and athletes and, even though I had no one famous, everyone in my car was delightful and so enthusiastic about London. One of my fellow drivers did give a lift to Jonathan Edwards, knew he was someone she recognised, but called him Lord Coe as he left the car! He forgave her and thought it was funny.
I have some great memories from the games, in particular being at the dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony which was amazing. Watching the closing ceremony fireworks
outside the stadium while waiting at midnight for a passenger from the organising committee, sitting on the tube and everyone chatting and asking questions. Memories of the army personnel at the checkpoints who were always cheerful as they searched our vehicles and returning back to park in the evenings with all the amazing lights on the outside of the athletics stadium.
Being a Games Maker was an honour and lots of fun and it reminded me why I enjoy volunteering. It provided new challenges and experiences and I met the most amazing people just as I do here: at Cherry Lodge.
Cherry Lodge Cancer Care · Howard House · 23 Union Street · Barnet · Hertfordshire EN5 4HY T: 020 8441 7000 · E: [email protected] · W: www.cherrylodgecancercare.org.uk
Edito
r: K
eith
Eve
rest
Cherry Lodge Cancer Care · Howard House · 23 Union Street · Barnet · Hertfordshire EN5 4HY Charity number: 1011629
i was found to have a tumour in the sigmoid colon in December
2011, a CT scan showed no metastases so the plan was straightforward: to do a resection of the bowel by keyhole surgery. in the event this was not possible and so the tumour was removed by open surgery. This change was a lucky one since it was possible to exam-ine the liver and metastases were found which may not have been dis-covered otherwise until they were un-treatable. a three-month course of chemotherapy fol-lowed the surgery and it was on the first day of this at the Whit-tington Hospital that i heard of Cherry Lodge. The recep-tionist in the chemotherapy suite told us that she had
visited this cancer care cen-tre, the people there were friendly and the premises well set up. Very important-ly for me, as it turned out, she also said that a patient who had chemotherapy at
the Whittington had found the acupuncture he had in this centre very effective in reducing side effects.
During the first two cycles
my wife and i, still in shock at the discovery of the liver metastases, hadn’t got our-selves organised to contact Cherry Lodge, even though this had been our intention, but before the third we made an appointment, saw a friendly macmillan Cancer
information nurse and made arrange-ments for me to have acupuncture. amazingly this therapy totally prevented the nau-sea i had felt previ-ously and more or less eliminated the abdominal disturbance i had been experiencing. so… both of us are very grateful to the Whitting-ton chemotherapy
suite receptionist, to the macmillan information nurse and the acupunctur-ist at Cherry Lodge, as to the person on the desk with her
Our Services & Approach
We believe that cancer support is not just about the time when you are in hospital – it is about your quality of life. At Cherry Lodge we work in partnership with hospital and community healthcare providers, and offer the additional support that individuals living with cancer so badly need. Our professional healthcare team works with the support of trained and experienced volunteers to provide a range of services. Services that our members want and need. Our services include:❋ Consultations with
Cancer Information Nurses and counselling
❋ Healthy living advice sessions throughout the region
❋ A comprehensive Home Visiting Service (Befriending) – delivered across North London and South Hertfordshire
❋ Group Activities – including open discussion and treatment sessions, and tailored exercise classes
❋ Relaxation therapies delivered by qualified volunteers, from medical acupuncture to massage
❋ Education classes, and a well stocked resource library.
New Faces
Keith everest
i’m Keith the new Fundraiser at Cherry Lodge Cancer Care. i joined Cherry Lodge just before Christmas from another charity called Feed the minds, which runs adult education projects across africa, india and south america. Whilst the services of Cherry Lodge are different, the job of a fundraiser is quite similar.
i hope to increase Cherry Lodge’s income, so we can develop the number and quality of services provided. Building on the successes of my predecessor Theresa i plan to continue running our large profitable events, make our shops into the best charity shops on the high street, and utilize other available sources of funds.
it has been encouraging to hear how we have improved the lives of local people dealing with cancer, and i hope that my work over the coming years will enable us to help many more individuals in north London and south Hertfordshire.
Like the other staff here at Cherry Lodge, my success will depend on the support
of our volunteers; who allow us to run our shops and van, put on our diverse programme of events, do a large amount of our administration, and take up challenges like runs, swims, and jumps. i am so grateful for all of your hard work, but please just bear with me whilst i learn your names!
if i haven’t met you yet, i hope i will soon, and if you have been thinking of supporting Cherry Lodge but haven’t decided how, then please give me a call or come and have a chat with me.
Carol Coles
Well, it’s my turn to introduce myself! i’m Carol and i joined Cherry Lodge in september 2012, replacing michelle as Cancer information & support secretary. one of my main tasks is to ensure that the diary system we use works as efficiently as possible. i am responsible for scheduling initial or follow up appointments with our two lovely macmillan nurses, Fiona and Kirsty. i also arrange appointments for our members with all of our therapists. i am gradually getting to know our members and can now
put names to some faces. others i have spoken to several times over the telephone but have not always had the pleasure of meeting in person. i look forward to meeting more of you. my hours of work are monday & Wednesday 9am-1pm, Tuesday & Thursday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4pm. i’ve received a warm welcome from everyone and am delighted to be part of the Cherry Lodge family.
Daryl Forster
our Borehamwood shop manager,is, to use his own words « a very happy man in a job i love». Daryl has been in Borehamwood since July 2012 and has worked exceedingly hard to get the shop where and how it is at the moment. a number of hard working and reliable volunteers have joined his team which also includes the assistant manager Terry who , as it happens is Daryl’s mother. The two work very well together and there is always a good atmosphere in the shop which is kept very clean and tidy despite the considerable comings and goings of people and donated items. Having many years of retail experience at WH smith, Daryl is a huge asset to Cherry Lodge.
Volunteeringby Keith everest
Volunteers are really appre-ciated at Cherry Lodge. it is thanks to everyone who gives up their time, that we can provide such amaz-ing cancer support free of charge.
We have volunteer oppor-tunities across the organisa-tion, from the very hands on role of being a reflexologist, to helping carry donations
on and off our van, to the slightly more sedate posi-tions working in our shops and office.
if you can give a few hours support, on a short or long term basis, then we would love to hear from you. please call Yvonne shield our Volunteer Co-ordinator, who will talk you through our current vacancies.
We have two great charity shops in Borehamwood and Barnet that raise funds to support our cancer support work across the region, but their continued success relies on your donations.
if you have any quality new or used; clothes, furniture, china, toys, shoes or similar, then please get in touch.
as a rule of thumb, we only accept goods that you would be happy to buy, we can’t take damaged, broken, stained, or ripped goods, and any soft furnishings need to
Donating goods to our shopshave fire retardant labels. if you are unsure please ask a member of our shop team, and if you have large items or a large quantity of donations, we may be able to collect them, just contact our Borehamwood shop manager Daryl Forster.
NEWS! Free hairdressing service at cherry Lodge
BoREhamWood Shop: 111 Shenley Road,
Borehamwood, WD6 1AG.Telephone: 020 8953 1094
BaRNET Shop: 1A, Church Passage,
Barnet, EN5 4QSTelephone: 020 8440 6287
Dennis relaxing on Hayling Island.
TReaTmenT in pRogRess
by Dennis West
Cherry Lodge NewsW I N T E R 2 0 1 3
Cherry Lodge Cancer Care · Howard House · 23 Union Street · Barnet · Hertfordshire EN5 4HY T: 020 8441 7000 · E: [email protected] · W: www.cherrylodgecancercare.org.uk
Edito
r: K
eith
Eve
rest
Cherry Lodge Cancer Care · Howard House · 23 Union Street · Barnet · Hertfordshire EN5 4HY Charity number: 1011629
i was found to have a tumour in the sigmoid colon in December
2011, a CT scan showed no metastases so the plan was straightforward: to do a resection of the bowel by keyhole surgery. in the event this was not possible and so the tumour was removed by open surgery. This change was a lucky one since it was possible to exam-ine the liver and metastases were found which may not have been dis-covered otherwise until they were un-treatable. a three-month course of chemotherapy fol-lowed the surgery and it was on the first day of this at the Whit-tington Hospital that i heard of Cherry Lodge. The recep-tionist in the chemotherapy suite told us that she had
visited this cancer care cen-tre, the people there were friendly and the premises well set up. Very important-ly for me, as it turned out, she also said that a patient who had chemotherapy at
the Whittington had found the acupuncture he had in this centre very effective in reducing side effects.
During the first two cycles
my wife and i, still in shock at the discovery of the liver metastases, hadn’t got our-selves organised to contact Cherry Lodge, even though this had been our intention, but before the third we made an appointment, saw a friendly macmillan Cancer
information nurse and made arrange-ments for me to have acupuncture. amazingly this therapy totally prevented the nau-sea i had felt previ-ously and more or less eliminated the abdominal disturbance i had been experiencing. so… both of us are very grateful to the Whitting-ton chemotherapy
suite receptionist, to the macmillan information nurse and the acupunctur-ist at Cherry Lodge, as to the person on the desk with her
Our Services & Approach
We believe that cancer support is not just about the time when you are in hospital – it is about your quality of life. At Cherry Lodge we work in partnership with hospital and community healthcare providers, and offer the additional support that individuals living with cancer so badly need. Our professional healthcare team works with the support of trained and experienced volunteers to provide a range of services. Services that our members want and need. Our services include:❋ Consultations with
Cancer Information Nurses and counselling
❋ Healthy living advice sessions throughout the region
❋ A comprehensive Home Visiting Service (Befriending) – delivered across North London and South Hertfordshire
❋ Group Activities – including open discussion and treatment sessions, and tailored exercise classes
❋ Relaxation therapies delivered by qualified volunteers, from medical acupuncture to massage
❋ Education classes, and a well stocked resource library.
New Faces
Keith everest
i’m Keith the new Fundraiser at Cherry Lodge Cancer Care. i joined Cherry Lodge just before Christmas from another charity called Feed the minds, which runs adult education projects across africa, india and south america. Whilst the services of Cherry Lodge are different, the job of a fundraiser is quite similar.
i hope to increase Cherry Lodge’s income, so we can develop the number and quality of services provided. Building on the successes of my predecessor Theresa i plan to continue running our large profitable events, make our shops into the best charity shops on the high street, and utilize other available sources of funds.
it has been encouraging to hear how we have improved the lives of local people dealing with cancer, and i hope that my work over the coming years will enable us to help many more individuals in north London and south Hertfordshire.
Like the other staff here at Cherry Lodge, my success will depend on the support
of our volunteers; who allow us to run our shops and van, put on our diverse programme of events, do a large amount of our administration, and take up challenges like runs, swims, and jumps. i am so grateful for all of your hard work, but please just bear with me whilst i learn your names!
if i haven’t met you yet, i hope i will soon, and if you have been thinking of supporting Cherry Lodge but haven’t decided how, then please give me a call or come and have a chat with me.
Carol Coles
Well, it’s my turn to introduce myself! i’m Carol and i joined Cherry Lodge in september 2012, replacing michelle as Cancer information & support secretary. one of my main tasks is to ensure that the diary system we use works as efficiently as possible. i am responsible for scheduling initial or follow up appointments with our two lovely macmillan nurses, Fiona and Kirsty. i also arrange appointments for our members with all of our therapists. i am gradually getting to know our members and can now
put names to some faces. others i have spoken to several times over the telephone but have not always had the pleasure of meeting in person. i look forward to meeting more of you. my hours of work are monday & Wednesday 9am-1pm, Tuesday & Thursday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4pm. i’ve received a warm welcome from everyone and am delighted to be part of the Cherry Lodge family.
Daryl Forster
our Borehamwood shop manager,is, to use his own words « a very happy man in a job i love». Daryl has been in Borehamwood since July 2012 and has worked exceedingly hard to get the shop where and how it is at the moment. a number of hard working and reliable volunteers have joined his team which also includes the assistant manager Terry who , as it happens is Daryl’s mother. The two work very well together and there is always a good atmosphere in the shop which is kept very clean and tidy despite the considerable comings and goings of people and donated items. Having many years of retail experience at WH smith, Daryl is a huge asset to Cherry Lodge.
Volunteeringby Keith everest
Volunteers are really appre-ciated at Cherry Lodge. it is thanks to everyone who gives up their time, that we can provide such amaz-ing cancer support free of charge.
We have volunteer oppor-tunities across the organisa-tion, from the very hands on role of being a reflexologist, to helping carry donations
on and off our van, to the slightly more sedate posi-tions working in our shops and office.
if you can give a few hours support, on a short or long term basis, then we would love to hear from you. please call Yvonne shield our Volunteer Co-ordinator, who will talk you through our current vacancies.
We have two great charity shops in Borehamwood and Barnet that raise funds to support our cancer support work across the region, but their continued success relies on your donations.
if you have any quality new or used; clothes, furniture, china, toys, shoes or similar, then please get in touch.
as a rule of thumb, we only accept goods that you would be happy to buy, we can’t take damaged, broken, stained, or ripped goods, and any soft furnishings need to
Donating goods to our shopshave fire retardant labels. if you are unsure please ask a member of our shop team, and if you have large items or a large quantity of donations, we may be able to collect them, just contact our Borehamwood shop manager Daryl Forster.
