Samantha Thornely writes:

Friends Thru Cancer is a local cancer support group to help people to live with cancer. We are now in our second year. I had already run Cancer Buddies for three years, then joined up with Susie Lyle who has provided support in the area for over 17 years.

We offer friendship, advice, support, counselling and discounted complementary therapies. Our volunteers can help with attending medical appointments and visiting people in hospital and at home. We have access to a growing list of other agencies providing services such as benefits advice, bereavement counselling, help for children, translators. We also hope to run a buddy system to connect up people with similar cancer scenarios.

Our support extends to anyone affected by cancer, including family, friends, workmates, carers and employers.

Future plans include speakers on different cancers and on dealing with symptoms; social get-togethers based around themes such as looking after yourself; and open days to sample different therapies. All this will be helped by getting more volunteers to help with fundraising, running the group etc. Contact Sam (01424 719174) or Susie (01424 423687)

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