Local blood cancer support group turns 19 and gets to meet again for the first time in 2 years
Posted 11th May 2022
The Liverpool Haematology Patients, Carers and Friends Support Group was started by The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust’s Haematology Counsellor, Linda Boyne, back in 2003 after a young Leukaemia patient approached her asking to speak with others going through the same.
The group was set up to provide education, share information, for peer support and to hold social events. Linda said:
“I have found that the support group helps patients with blood cancers to re-integrate back into the community after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It helps patients rebuild their confidence in terms of socialising and going out, often with a changed body image! Patients may be isolated, lose their hair, lose weight, and feel generally cut off from family and friends. Meeting other patients helps them to see that there is a life after cancer, and that they do have a future.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the group switched to online meetings and did their best with quizzes and talks, so that patients could keep in touch with each other and learn together about the impact on immuno-suppressed patients. However, they found it difficult no longer being able to interact in person, so it was a very emotional reunion when the group could finally meet again for the first time in two years and mark their 19th birthday with a welcome back cake and race night in celebration of the Aintree Grand National.
Now the group can meet again, they have lots of exciting plans. Linda said:
“Our group holds regular events including speakers from the medical staff, pharmacists, dietitians, specialist nurses and the management team from Clatterbridge Cancer Centre - Liverpool. We have a free Christmas Party on the first Tuesday in December, to which we invite our consultants (and Father Christmas, too). In July, we have a Summer Barbeque at the back of the Community Centre.
The group is fully self-funding, relying on a monthly raffle to pay for tea, coffee, food and any events we attend. We have always made the group activities free to users to support them in any way that we can.”
The support group is highly valued both by patients, families, carers and the wider health service. Vincent, from Allerton, joined the group two years ago as a way of not being defined by his cancer: “We’re not just sat around talking about illness. We’re learning from each other, or getting involved with activities together and building friendships.”
Lesley and her partner travel from St. Helens, and have been coming to the group since it began: “It means the world to me being able to talk with people who understand what you’re going through. It’s such a release, and wonderful to be surrounded by so much empathy.”
Eddie, from Huyton, joined the group as they began to meet in person again: “I’m so grateful for the consistency. When everything else is uncertain, I know that every time I'm here, I'll be able speak to people with like-minded issues and we can try to help each other."
Thanks to these kind words and nominations from her patients, Linda has received a national award from the Lymphoma Association in recognition of her work with the support group. She added:
“We are twenty years old next year and still going strong helping patients to rebuild their lives and to start living again!”
The Liverpool Haematology Patients, Carers and Friends Support Group meets at Sefton Park Community Centre from 6.00pm-8.00pm on the second Tuesday of every month (except August).
