Breast cancer patients to receive support from survivors

The Ulster Cancer Foundation has announced that ten breast cancer survivors have completed training as Patient Volunteers.

The training will enable them to provide support to other women who have been newly diagnosed with the disease.

The Foundation's training programme, which is run in conjunction with Belfast City Hospital, has provided much needed volunteers to augment the existing network already in place across Northern Ireland. New patient volunteers now offer a support service in towns such as Bangor, Downpatrick, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus and Ballynahinch, as well as throughout the Greater Belfast area.

Ruth Campbell, Head of Care Services at the Ulster Cancer Foundation commented: “Women with breast cancer tell us that what they most appreciate is the opportunity to talk with another woman who has lived through the diagnosis of breast cancer. These women can offer the unique understanding that only someone who has been through the experience of breast cancer can have. We congratulate our volunteers on successfully completing their training and freely offering their time to help others.”

Anyone wishing to talk to one of the Ulster Cancer Foundation’s volunteers, should contact Ruth on tel. 028 90 663281.

The Foundation has also recently benefited from a £34,000 donation from the Hillside Nursery Centre in Newtownabbey. The nursery built a Santa’s Grotto at their premises and the charity itself managed and staffed the grotto in order to raise the money, which is double the total raised last year. Nicola Smyth, PR & Events Manager of the Ulster Cancer Foundation said: “We are delighted with the amount raised at the grotto, which will go directly to helping improve the outlook for people with cancer here in Northern Ireland, both now and in the future.”

If you have any general concerns or questions about cancer, or wish to find out more about the Ulster Cancer Foundation support services, you can contact the Freephone Helpline on : 0800 783 33 39.

(KMcA)