Wessex Cancer Trust Magazine (May 2013)

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www.wessexcancer.org

OUR SURVEY SAID GRAND OPENING RAISING ROOFS!We asked, you answered, here are the results!

BBC’s Sally Taylor opens new support centre in winchester

DEAN STONEMAN BACK IN THE RUNNING!

Spring/Summer 2013

Military Wives Choir and Great Western Chorus of Bristol

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Winchester Cancer Support Centre

Volunteer

Can you listen and offer support? Are you caring? Do you have a few hours free each week?

Volunteer befrienders are wanted to help at our new Winchester Cancer Support Centre offering practical and emotional support to local people living with cancer. Full training and support is provided.

To find out more phone 023 8067 2200 or email: [email protected]

Befrienders


Wessex Cancer TrustBellis House, 11 Westwood Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO17 1DLT: 023 8067 2200 f: 023 8067 2266 e: [email protected]

President: The Earl of Malmesbury DL

Vice Presidents:Jo BeschiRoger Black MBEMick ChannonDowager Lady Clarendon DLShelley Jory-LeighLawrie MacMenemy MBEJeff StellingSally Taylor MBEAlan Titchmarsh MBE VMH DL

Trustees:Chairman – Mr Norman WoodVice-Chairman – Mr Alan HouseTreasurer – Mr David A HoareMr Peter BladesDr Geraldine LeydanMr John MansellMr Peter RobertsonMs Asha SenapatiMr Richard StarrDr Jennifer StutleyProf. Paul A Townsend

Chaplain: Rev. Tim Daykin

Editor: Sam Perry

There have been some exciting things happening at Wessex, all aimed at helping to support the growing number of people living with cancer, their families and carers.

Our newest charity shop, fondly known as ‘The Boutique in Weeke’, is doing really well, and allowed us to open our fourth Cancer Support Centre in Winchester, at the end of 2012.

Throughout 2013, our plan is to open 3 further Cancer Support Centres, situated in Portsmouth, Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight. We are well on the way to achieving this, and my thanks go to everyone who is working so hard to raise funds and giving support to making the Centres a reality.

From April this year, responsibility for health care has been devolved to local Commissioning Groups. For over 30 years, Wessex Cancer Trust has been at the heart of providing local people with support, and we will ensure that provision for people living with cancer, remains as the highest priority.

During this year, our volunteer numbers have increased considerably, and I would like to thank each one of you, who are doing all sorts of things to help Wessex Cancer Trust. Your time, commitment, expertise and passion are vital to enable Wessex to provide much needed help to so many people.

Sally

Chief Executive© 2012 All rights reserved on behalf of WCT. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of WCT.

Design: Clare Murphy Creative.


Survey resultsJanuary this year we wrote to you all asking you to fill out a short supporter’s survey. We were keen to find out your views on a range of topics relating to our magazine, website and how we communicate with you.

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0Fundraising events Volunteering

OpportunitiesAble services

for Cancer CareWCT Celebrity

Support/In volvementInformation about

our shopsOther

(please specify)

What information from us would you be most interested in?

66 new people signed up to get the e-version of the magazine and will receive shorter regular updates from us. This is great news for us as it saves us a little in printing costs. You too can sign up for the e-version of this magazine by visiting our website (www.wesexcancer.org) and clicking on the link.

In addition to this we have been working on a new look website which we will launch in the coming weeks.

We have been focussing on the usability and messaging of the new website along with the content and hope that you will all enjoy it and find it clear and easy to navigate.

It was important to us to improve the support and information that people can gather from our website so that people can easily find the content that they need. Your survey results told us that the two things that you most wanted to read about online was information on cancer and information on our upcoming events so we have focussed on these areas.

And finally our lucky winner of the £50 John Lewis voucher was Mary Hart. Mary was delighted with the news when I called her up and told her that she had won. So congratulations to Mary and thank you all for your feedback.

We were delighted with the response with over 230 people fully completing the survey.

The vast majority of you told us that you enjoy our magazine and feel that it is the right length so we have stuck with the same format. You also told us what content you wanted so that has been weighted to your preferences as well.


Hundreds of women who visited a breast cancer clinic have been recalled after a hospital said a junior doctor failed to follow proper procedures. The Royal Bournemouth Hospital said 272 patients have been asked back to have reassessments. The women attended the clinic between January 2011 and July 2012.

The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it had referred the case to the General Medical Council. The trust said concerns were raised over the way the women were assessed by the junior doctor, who is no longer working for the trust. In a statement it said: “This assessment potentially did not meet our usual high standards.”

Consultant breast surgeon Tony Skene said: “Although we have found no evidence of any harm, the safety of

our patients is our number one priority. We do however realise that for those patients that we do recall this may lead to additional anxiety and we apologise for the distress that this may cause.”

Sally Hall, chief executive at Wessex Cancer Trust, said: “I think it’s quite shocking and I feel very much for the women who are being called back. “They’re obviously going to be feeling very nervous, anxious and possibly quite angry at what’s happened.”

The hospital said patients would be contacted by letter and offered a prompt appointment with access to a support telephone line in the interim should they need it.

Royal Bournemouth Hospital breast cancer clinic recallRecently this story hit the headlines and was worrying news for many. We have included this item in our magazine because we feel that it is important for us to offer our support to these women and their families. If you have been affected by this news then please do get in touch with us.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-22410360


Winchester Cancer Support CentreSALLY Taylor from BBC’s South Today and the Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Frank Pearson, officially opened our brand new Cancer Support Centre in Winchester, today (20/02/2013). The Centre, offers professional and confidential counselling, befriending and complementary therapies such as massage and reflexology, all free of charge to cancer patients, their families and carers.

The charity already successfully runs two Cancer Support Centres in Romsey and Hythe and wants to expand into Winchester. Located in the heart of communities, these centres offer an oasis of calm and support to people who are coping with a very difficult time in their lives.

Sally Hall, Wessex Cancer Trust’s Chief Executive said: “Cancer will affect two in five of us at some time in our lives. Through our long-term work with patients, their families and health professionals, we understand all too well how diagnosis can be a huge shock and that treatment can sometimes be unpleasant. We deliberately locate our centres away from the clinical atmosphere of the hospital so that calling in can be a pleasant experience. Patients can talk to professional counsellors or trained befrienders – people who really understand your situation, who can support you through it, or who can give you a calming and soothing

complementary treatment, when you feel at your lowest. Sometimes, all that is needed is a cup of coffee and a chat. Sometimes it is much more. We believe our centres provide a vital part in the overall treatment and care of those living with cancer.”

The St George’s Street Centre has already welcomed a steady stream of clients from Winchester and the surrounding area, all of whom are benefitting from free and confidential support. Currently open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the charity is already planning to open on a third day in the very near future and long-term, it is looking at five days a week. In order to do so, more volunteers are needed, especially befrienders, who offer a warm welcome and as emotional support to people and families living with cancer. All staff are given thorough and on-going training in listening and responding skills and are fully aware of the need for complete confidentiality

NEARLY £500 was raised in Salisbury just recently, when a charity makeover event took place at Number Sixty Hair, Nails and Beauty Salon. Ladies taking part were also thrilled by “before and after” cameo photographs taken by professional snappers Anthony and Fiona from Trinity Photography.

Fundraising makes you...

Fabulous!The Salisbury salon put on a “Pamper Your Mum” day, offering hard-working mums the chance to shelve the boring chores and indulge in a top-to-toe makeover.Helping the day go with a swing were eight members of the Middle Wallop Military Wives Choir. Ali Osborne, Wessex Cancer Trust’s fundraising manager for Wiltshire, said: “We were like kids in a sweetshop – what woman can say “no” to a treat like this one? A big

thank you to everyone who made us look so gorgeous, especially Nicky Wyatt who worked tirelessly on hair styling and Theresa Jolly who did our make-up; thanks, ladies, you managed to knock about five years off me. Thank you also to Louise Nightingale from Barclays who so generously supported us and offered match-funding; all the money will go to help local people in the region.”


Isle of Wight charity shop fire

As the pictures clearly show the store was wrecked and much of the stock was damaged beyond future use.

Fortunately nobody was hurt and things haven’t been quite as bad as they could have been.

In our desperation we turned to our supporters and the general public and were overwhelmed with the support from everyone.

The cry went out in the local press, on the Isle of Wight Radio and throughout cyber space and Donations of replacement stock and a range of offers came flooding in.

Wesley Hall was kindly donated for our use (free of charge) from the Totland Methodist Church and we were able to set up a pop up style shop.

From here we have been able to make a few sales which have helped to reduce the financial impact that this tragedy has on Wessex Cancer Trust.

As the income generated from the shops directly supports the running of our support services we have been relieved by this.

The repair and refurbishment of the shop is now well underway and we hope to reopen our store in the coming weeks.

Tragedy struck our Isle of Wight charity shop February of this year. The fire badly damaged our store and put us out of action for over two months.


You might have had first-hand experience of our services because you have had cancer and have needed counselling and emotional support.

You might have had first-hand experience of our services as a family member of someone that is battling cancer. You may have found that aromatherapy has really helped you to relax and given you that little bit of time to get your head around all that is going on.

Or you might be a supporter because a close friend of yours accessed our holiday homes and you saw how important this was to them.

Or the neighbour’s child got tickets to watch the saints whilst receiving treatment at the Piam Brown Children’s Oncology ward.

You might also be a supporter because someone close to you has battled cancer and they were unable to find the support that they needed. You know that services similar to those offered by Wessex Cancer Trust would have helped your loved one a great deal.

Whatever your personal reason is for supporting Wessex Cancer Trust we know that we can’t provide our services without you.

We strongly rely on financial support from you, our supporters. And although asking for help can be tough for us all, we also recognise that we as a charity need to ask for help at times.

Could you help us with a donation?

£10 per month would enable us to make a grant to someone battling cancer.

The average patient grant that we give is just £120. This might not sound like a lot of money but these grants are a real life line for people.

They help to fund additional heating bills as people battling cancer often find themselves at home more than they used to be.

They fund parking and fuel costs as regular trips to the hospital quickly add up.

One story that particularly highlights the importance of these grants was for a lady that needed £112 towards stair lift rental so that she could spend her final months in her own home rather than in a hospital setting. After she passed away her husband came to see us and told us what a difference it had made and how his wife was able to die how she wanted to. They were both so touched and grateful that they wrote us into their wills.

Currently we have many more requests for our financial grants than we can afford to support and have seen this demand steadily rise through the economic crisis. In the first quarter of this year we gave out 47 grants but we need to give out more.

Here at Wessex Cancer Trust we aim to be the most supportive and effective cancer charity there is. We know that there are many other great cancer charities but we believe in aiming high.

We have the knowledge and experience to deliver this and the feedback that we receive from those that access our services backs this up.

“We are so grateful for this money. We seem to slip through the net for any other kind of financial help so can’t thank you enough! It has helped so much.”

“Thank you so much for this grant. It has helped enormously towards my travel expenses during my cancer treatment. I am most grateful.”

“Thanks for your help in this difficult time it is so much appreciated.”

Please help us to provide more support like this and make a donation. All donations are very welcome however small or large.

Thank you for your supporting Wessex Cancer Trust.

Why we need your donationsBeing a supporter of Wessex Cancer Trust you hopefully will already be aware of a lot of the work that we do and how important it is.



Barry is 56 years old and is the Chair of the WCT Southampton Volunteers Group. He has been in the role for just a few months having taken over the role at the beginning of the year. Barry is married to Sara and lives in Southampton and, apart from looking after their four grandchildren his hobbies include writing music, playing guitar and walking.

So Barry, when did you first get involved with WCT and what led you to first wanting to support the Trust?

I first became involved with the trust about three years ago. My wife, Sara, had been diagnosed with breast cancer and, because of the fantastic care she received at Southampton General Hospital, she felt she wanted to ‘give something back’ and try to help those who’ve also been diagnosed or affected by cancer. So, I became involved through her.

What does your volunteering role involve?

I am Chair of the Southampton Fundraising Group, which means that, apart from chairing the regular group meetings, my role is to lead and support members of the group when organising and running local fundraising events. I am the main contact point with Bellis House and I spend time designing flyers, event posters and handouts plus keeping a schedule of all our events so we know what’s going on and when in our area plus other WCT areas to avoid a clash in timetables

What do you most enjoy about volunteering for WCT and do you have a highlight to date?

The most enjoyable part of Volunteering is when all the effort that’s put into organising and running an event is turned into a tangible contribution which will help those affected by cancer.

In terms of a highlight, I suppose that must be when my son and I cycled round the Isle of Wight last summer and raised over a £1000 for the trust. It was very hard work but great fun and very worthwhile. It didn’t rain either!

And what’s the worst thing about volunteering or a low point?

The low point is when, after all the effort has been put into organising an event, it has to be cancelled for one reason or another, either through lack of support, bad weather or maybe the costs of running it outweighing the potential benefit.

What in your view makes a good volunteer?

That’s a tough one. I believe there are a number of different things that make a good volunteer but it’s unlikely that one person will be able to tick them all. The most important thing is to get team balance so that within your fundraising group you do have pretty much all the boxes ticked.

The most important things though are to have a keen willingness to devote time, to be enthusiastic, reliable and a good team player.

Given the nature of the cause it’s important to show compassion when helping at events as most people there will have been touched by cancer in some way.


As far as the ‘nice to haves’ are concerned it’s good to have a creative mind, we’re always looking for new and innovative ways to raise funds, and to be confident and outgoing when asking for donations. We also need people who are good at organising!

In Southampton we are very lucky, ours is a cracking little team and I think we have got most things covered.

As the chair of the Southampton voluntary group are you looking for any new volunteers and what might they expect if they were to volunteer.

We are always looking for volunteers! Either to work directly with the rest of the team organising and running events or to provide a set of helping hands to make sure events run smoothly.

I appreciate that running an event can be a daunting task but it’s not something we would expect anyone to do without the necessary support from the rest of the group. We recently developed a checklist to help guide those who may not have run events before. A few hints and tips about what to do and who to contact to make sure that the event is successful. And when it is – it’s a great feeling!

If someone was new to volunteering in general, what might you suggest that they will get out of volunteering?

In the first place you get a really good feeling when an event you are running or helping out at is successful. When thinking about what people will get out of Volunteering there are some obvious things like meeting new people, from all walks of life, and being introduced to new experiences that they may not have had the opportunity to experience otherwise, like abseiling, parachuting or cycling crazy distances!

On the other hand there are some skills that would be of benefit to them in their working life as well. Volunteering is very much a team-working environment and that can only be of benefit when one considers that most jobs have a very high team-working element to them. Deciding to organise an event means they will be exposed to other skills which would include budgeting, negotiating costs and deciding on roles for the event. They would also need to provide good, clear communications to others involved with the event.

Skittles Night Atherley Bowling Club Friday 28th June

Is this up your alley? Why not bring along your team of four players and take part in our Knock-Out Skittles contest? Tickets cost £10 per person, which includes a buffet supper. There are some fantastic 1st and Runner-Up prizes, plus the chance to take part in our Charity Raffle with all proceeds raised on the night to going to WCT. There’s a bar available and plenty of off-road parking. Tickets are available from Barry on 023 8073 6544.

Charity Clay Shoot

Thursday 27th June

Whether you are just starting out or have

been shooting for years, you are welcome on

our Sporting Clay Shoot at Barbury Shooting

School. Enjoy this exiting sport in teams

of 4 Guns at Barbury Shooting School Near

Barbury Castle,Wroughton, Swindon,Wiltshire

SN4 0QH. Coffee and bacon rolls from

9.30am; shooting commences at 10.00am.

Cartridges included.


Comedy attacks Cancer

Friday 28th June

A side splitting evening of Adult

Stand Up Comedy at the Lighthouse

Poole. Tickets just £8 Doors open at

7.30pm

100 Here 100 There

Sunday 30th June

The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue

Service wants you to cycle 100

Miles or 100 Km around the Isle of

Wight on Sunday 30th June whilst

two firefighters take on the Cent

Cols Challenge in France! Find

out how to get involved by visiting

www.iow100.btck.co.uk

Wimbledon Hospitality

Friday 5th July

Anyone for tennis? Enjoy a BBQ lunch and the afternoon watching

the Wimbledon Men’s Semi Finals on the big screen at the West

Hants Club, Bournemouth. TICKETS: £35

Eddie Vortex and the Cyclones

Saturday 6th July

Eddie Vortex and the Cyclones, where rock and

country music collide, are playing in aid of Jane

Scarth House on Saturday 6th July at Woodley Village

Hall, School Road, Romsey, SO51 7NY from 7.30pm-

10.30pm, doors open at 7pm. Tickets cost £10, to

include a Ploughman’s Supper, and are available

from Jane Scarth House, Tel: 01794 830374 or email

[email protected]

Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir and the Great Western Chorus of BristolSaturday 6th JulyBook your tickets now for the event of the summer! Following a sell-out performance last year, Salisbury Plain

Military Wives Choir and the Great Western Chorus of Bristol will be putting on TWO events on the same day for

Wessex Cancer Trust at Marlborough College on Saturday, 6 July.Fancy “Tea for Two in the Rose Garden”? Then book your seats for a smaller and more informal semi-chorus

serenade from both choirs between 3pm and 5pm. This performance takes place outside, in the beautiful

surroundings of the College Rose Garden and includes a delicious afternoon tea. (Under cover if the weather is wet.)

Alternatively, the evening concert will take place in the Memorial Hall between 7.30pm and 10pm and will feature

performances from full choirs – around 100 voices in total – making spectacular sounds in this fantastic venue.

Call 023 8067 2200 or email [email protected] to order your tickets now


Dragon Boat Race

Saturday 7th September

Crews of 16 plus 1 drummer with each

boat having a minimum of 3 races each.

Highly competitive and Fun for all the

family! Musical entertainment, fun stalls

and food and refreshments available

throughout the day. Entry fee: £350 per

boat (just over £20 p/h) and suggested

sponsorship of £50 per head please.

Bournemouth Air Festival Friday 30th AugustWessex Cancer Trust offers this

unique opportunity to experience

VIP hospitality for the fantastic

Bournemouth Air show. Tickets are just

£60 per head.

For more information on all events please visit our website or call us on 02380 672200

Wessex Cancer Trust Golf Classic

Tuesday 24th SeptemberGolf Classic with with John Francome MBE at Remedy Oak

Golf Course, Horton, Dorset. Teams of 4 – entry fee just £495

per team. Bacon bap & coffee on arrival, 18 holes of golf, 3

course dinner with wine, entertainment and prize giving all

included in entry fee.

Dean Stoneman – Youth AmbassadorDean Stoneman is the Wessex Cancer Trust Youth Ambassador and has recently got back behind the wheel in the 2013 Porsche Carrera Cup GB. The cup started on 31st March with the first race taking place at Brands Hatch.

Dean beat Testicular Cancer 2011 and was tipped to be a prospect for Formula 1 before his diagnosis. But he’s on the way back and has gotten off to a flying start. Donington Park, Leicestershire UK, Sunday 21 April 2013. Dean Stoneman maintained his championship lead with a solid second place and fastest lap in round four of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.


Starting from the second row of the grid and on the dirty side of the track the Redline driver suffered an uncharacteristically slow start. As the leading pack entered turn one at Redgate the 22-year old found himself in fifth place behind his main championship rivals. Dean then began to pick off Lloyd and Butcher to get himself into third as the leading bunch began to pull away. Stoneman was on rapid form as he aimed to make up places and on lap six posted the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1.07.855 as he chased Gelzinis.

Stoneman then began his push for second and on lap 9 he forced Gelzinis into an error on the Craner Curves and he was able to ease by with an eye now on the leader Meadows. The BRDC Superstar Stoneman began to reduce the gap between himself and first place with each lap. The advancing number 7 Porsche was pushing hard and even created a huge cloud of dust as he went slightly off line as the two cars entered the Wheatcroft straight from Goddards. Eventually it was Stoneman who ran out of laps and had to settle for a solid second place.Stoneman reflected on a productive weekend of racing. “ That will do. Although I would have preferred to have secured even more points with a win or two I’m happy overall with my progress in the

Championship. Two podiums are great and it’s all about keeping the points coming in at this stage. It was also great to get the fastest lap too. I’m looking forward to the next rounds at my local circuit at Thruxton next month and hope to keep up my race pace as I have this weekend.”

Redline boss Simon Leonard: “Dean gave us a very professional and business like performance this weekend. This boy can drive and he showed that in both race here this weekend. As I have said before the best is still to come from him.”

Stoneman’s third place in round three and second place in round four puts him on 77 points 8 points clear of Gelzinis and Meadows. The championship now moves to Thruxton for rounds 5&6 May where Stoneman will aim to maintain his grip of the Porsche Carrera Cup Championship GB.

Dean Stoneman – Youth Ambassador

Currently Dean is looking for new corporate sponsorship. If your business would like to sponsor Dean as he progresses his racing career then he would love to hear from you. Please contact us and we can put you in touch [email protected]


Dear Mrs Hall,

Re: Image-guided cancer ablation service at Southampton University Hospitals.

I felt I should write to update you on developments in image-guided cancer ablation for small tumours of the liver, kidneys and lungs at Southampton. If you trace through the Wessex Cancer trust records you will find that I was in receipt

of a Seed grant for £10,000 back in 2002. This was a critical Seed grant which allowed us to initiate a programme in the image-guided ablation of smaller tumours, so helping patients to avoid the trauma of major surgery.

This service has continued to grow and mature at the University Hospitals of Southampton and in no small measure it was initiated and given important stimulus by

the grant. We have gone on to become the second largest unit in the world in terms of image-guided renal cancer ablation with very significant experience in image-guided cryoablation for renal cancers, in particular. Please find a recent publication detailing some of our experience in this arena over the last 4-5 years. In addition we are an important centre for the development of microwave ablation of liver and lung tumours and this service is also thriving. We have gone on to train numerous physicians from around the country who attend to see the established service here at Southampton.

I will be aware that this is a little bit of a “letter out of the blue”, but I feel I should thank the Wessex Cancer Trust for it’s support and important Seed grant which has helped us to establish this service back over a decade ago.

With Many Thanks,

Dr D J Breen MRCP FRCR Consultant Abdominal Radiologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer in Radiology


This month we received a rather lovely letter from Dr D J Breen MRCP FRCR – It is always wonderful to read about how we have helped people and the positive affect that Wessex Cancer Trust has on so many lives.

Penny’s Fantastic new book Chemo Cookery Club is packed with delicious recipes to help make everyday food a positive part of life for cancer sufferers and their carers. With tempting treats and healthy food ideas, the emphasis is on the nutritional values that can make a difference, but most importantly this is a book that lifts the spirits – especially when food and diet can become a bit tricky. If you or someone you love are going through treatment, this book will help you create delicious meals and snacks that tantalise the tastebuds no matter how experienced – or otherwise – you are in the kitchen.

Penny Ericson, experienced cook and carer, celebrates everyday meals and how they contribute to wellness, both physically and emotionally. If you’re struggling with loss of appetite, wondering how to get more iron into your diet, wanting to relieve ‘metal mouth’ or dismayed that the foods you used to love now seem boring and tasteless as a result of treatment, Penny can help.

Nutritional information and recipe analysis has been contributed by the leading cancer research dietician Barbara Parry MSc PD, and the book has been enthusiastically endorsed by major cancer charities.

We are a community of patients and their carer’s where, in addition to getting wonderful and tasty recipes, you can also receive dietary and nutritional guidance for your own recipes from specialist researchers and experts, or just make friends and perhaps share some of your food experiences.

This wonderful book is just £14.99 and everyone we know loves it.

You can buy a copy of this book by visiting our website: http://wessexcancer.org/shops/chemo-cookery-club/


Wessex Cancer Trust is delighted to have formed a partnership with Penny Ericson author of Chemo Cookery Club.

For more information on all events please visit our website or call us on 02380 672200


Raising the roof with Chivenor Military Wives Choir and Great Western Chorus of BristolThe Memorial Hall at Marlborough College was the venue for what we think was Wiltshire’s event of 2012. An audience of around 600 packed the hall to capacity and responded with huge enthusiasm to a night of music from Chivenor Military Wives Choir and the Great Western Chorus of Bristol – all in aid of Wessex Cancer Trust.

The Memorial Hall at Marlborough College was the venue for what we think was Wiltshire’s event of 2012. An audience of around 600 packed the hall to capacity and responded with huge enthusiasm to a night of music from Chivenor Military Wives Choir and the Great Western Chorus of Bristol – all in aid of Wessex Cancer Trust.

The first half of the evening was led by the Military Wives, who sang a mix of traditional and contemporary numbers, opening with a moving version of “Jerusalem”. A sudden and unexpected call-up overseas for the “Military Husbands” meant that the choir was slightly smaller than usual but that made no difference

to the sound and made some of the words even more poignant as it brought home the reality of being a military wife.

In contrast, the second half was dominated by Great Western Chorus who made the audience laugh and applaud in equal measure, as they performed with pizzazz and gusto, a repertoire including songs from the shows and spirituals. Led by a sparkling (quite literally – she was dressed in a fabulous sequinned gown!) Linda Corcoran, the all-male barbershop-style gave an outstanding and theatrical performance.


I was caught slightly on the hop when I realised, quite late in the day that I was expected to MC the whole thing but there was no need to panic as everything went with a swing. My very favourite moment of the night had to be when Great Western fell down en masse at the end of a sung version of “Bach’s Fugue in D Minor” - it was so unexpected! I just burst out laughing along with the rest of the audience.

It was the most amazing night and I was ably assisted by a small army of helpers I recruited from Waitrose, Tesco and the office! Thank you boys and girls for donating raffle prizes, directing the parking, selling water, meeting, greeting and guiding the audience and clearing up afterwards – not to mention smiling the whole way through. I really couldn’t have done it without you. I am delighted to be able to report that together, we raised over £13,500 which was shared between us and two Armed Forces charities.

The evening was such a resounding success that we are repeating it and even expanding. This year, we have

Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir and the Great Western Chorus of Bristol to entertain us with TWO events, both on the same day at the same venue in Marlborough.

On Saturday, 6 July, you can choose to attend “Tea for Two in the Rose Garden”, a smaller and more informal semi-chorus serenade from both choirs. This performance takes place outside, between 3pm and 5pm, in the beautiful surroundings of the College Rose Garden and includes a delicious afternoon tea, served by the military wives themselves, no less! (Under cover if weather is wet.)

Alternatively, the evening concert will again be in the Memorial Hall, between 7.30pm and 10pm and will feature performances from full choirs, numbering around 100 voices.

We raised the roof last year and I’m really looking forward to doing it again this year – join us!

I just burst out laughing along with the rest of the audience.


Sara was diagnosed with cancer in her left breast in July 2005, at the age of 39 and although she fully acknowledges the fine work of the medical team led by Mr Rainsbury at Winchester Hospital, it is Wessex Cancer Trust that she credits with saving her sanity and her life.

Sara said: “I went through some very dark times. I cannot tell you how awful it is to be told that you’re going to have a mastectomy, you’re going to lose all your hair and you’re going to experience an early menopause – all at the age of 39. You are forced to look your own mortality in the face and I’m not ashamed to say that I really hit the wall. Although the treatment was successful, I reached a very low point in my personal life; as it dawned on me that I would never have children, my work suffered, my marriage went into meltdown and I became seriously depressed.

Wessex Cancer Trust really came to my rescue and I truly believe the volunteers, counsellor and therapists saved my life.

I was able to have space and time to think in a way you just can’t at a hospital, however good and well-meaning the staff. I could pop in at any time and just talk in confidence to a befriender, or have a lovely treatment; the wonderful counsellors took me by the hand and walked beside me, helping me find my feet again and showing me hope for the future.

I often say the consultants may have saved me physically but that Wessex Cancer Trust saved my soul.”

New manager for...

A FORMER client has been appointed manager of Wessex Cancer Trust’s brand new facility for cancer patients. The St George’s Street centre was officially opened with great pride by the Trust’s Vice President, Sally Taylor only recently and Sara Hawkins (46) takes up the reins with immediate effect.

Winchester’s Cancer

You are forced to look your own mortality in

the face and I’m not ashamed to say that I

really hit the wall.


When the opportunity arose for Sara to volunteer at the Trust, she seized it and started putting in some hours at the fledgling Winchester centre. The position of Centre Manager became formalised and Sara was able to put her experience of working at Hampshire County Council to excellent use.

She now leads a dedicated team consisting of a professional counsellor, an aromatherapist, a reflexologist and any number of trained, volunteer befrienders.

The centre is now open three days a week and there are plans to open

for five, depending on numbers of volunteers and funding.

Sally Hall, the Trust’s Chief Executive said: “There are over 200 types of cancer that we know about. Last month’s report by the Department of Health claimed that as many as 75 per cent of patients are not given enough information on coping with the disease and 30 per cent were concerned that issues such as who to contact outside routine follow-ups were not addressed. It called for a total re-think on post treatment care with the need for cancer patients to be offered ongoing support at the end of their treatment and for

the development of an effective “recovery package” to deal with patients’ financial, mental and physical needs. This is exactly where we step in to fill the gap, offering that support to all cancer patients, their families and carers.”

Winchester’s Cancer Support Centre

To contact the Winchester Cancer Support Centre, please call 01962 868576 or e-mail [email protected]

JUMP!

The amazing Lucy (Pictured with her parents) jumped out of a plane on Saturday 27th April and raised over £500 for Wessex Cancer Trust. Well done Lucy and Thank you so much.

STUDENT VOLUNTEER

Monday (22nd April) night was Solent Awards night in order to recognise students that have been volunteering their time. Martha has been volunteering for Wessex Cancer Trust for over a year now and it was fantastic to see her getting recognised for her efforts. Well done Martha and thank you


FUNDRAISINGALL ABOARD!

Wessex Cancer Trust is delighted that the 25th Fire Engine Trip was a huge success and was enjoyed by all the children and their families. A BIG thank you to everyone involved in making the day so special for all the children.

FOOTBALLER SUPPORTS!

Charlie Austin (left) and Jordan Clark pictured at the Charlie Austin Sportsman’s Dinner. Wessex Cancer Trust would like to thank you both and thank Poole Town FC and Hot Radio for raising over £4000. Fantastic. We were also delighted that on the evening that Charlie agreed to become a Wessex Cancer Trust Vice President and will continue to support us in the coming years. Charlie is an exceptional footballer and we anticipate is destined for greatness.

ROWNHAMS MAY FAIR

Wessex Cancer Trust had a stall at the Nursling & Rownhams May Fair. A fantastic event on a glorious sunny day where the children’s badge making was a great success. So far we collected over £100 for WCT and we are waiting for donation from the event organisers who will divide the event profits between the attending registered charities. Thanks to Barry and the Southampton group for all of their hard work.

WCT received a third share of funds raised through the 123 Decathlon, a year long challenge with over 850 supporters taking part in 10 events. Bruce Elkins and Peter Harding presented supporters with the “Brucie Bonus”. A beautiful glass engraved tumbler for those who individually raised over £200.00 sponsorship to help reach the target of £100k. WCT were delighted with the event and the funds raised. Pictured along the front are those patients who have been helped from the 3 charities involved, The Rainbow Centre, Rose Road Association and Wessex Cancer Trust.


NOTICEBOARD!

24

Like our Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/WessexCancerFollow us on twitter – https://twitter.com/wessexcancerText to Donate - You can make a donation of up to £25 via text message. ext: TWCT30 £5/£10/£25 to 70070 now. eg TWCT30 £5

www.wessexcancer.orgRegistered charity no. 1110216

Wessex Cancer Trust would like to say a huge Thank you to all of our volunteers throughout the organisation.

Without all of your time and effort we could not provide all that we do.

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Wessex Cancer Trust Magazine (May 2013)

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