We had a constructive and productive talk about the Group and forthcoming events. One of the topics of discussion was looking at raising the Group’s profile so that all those with breast cancer, whether they have finished their treatment or not are aware there is a Group who are here to support them and of course each other.
- One member mentioned that in October which is Breast Cancer Awareness month Peterborough City Hospital has a stand in the main atrium for Breast Cancer, it was agreed that when the breast care nurses come in June they would be asked if members from the Group could help with this by having members attend the stand.
- It was also discussed whether we should look to have an information stand in the Serpentine Green, Shopping Centre and possibly in the town centre.
I am mindful that members would need to volunteer to be in attendance to give out information about the Group and so one member suggested we could hand out leaflets from MacMillan and from Breast Cancer Now. We will need to have a discussion as to who would be able to help with this and which days we could manage to have an information stand.
- We are also planning to have a Xmas Stall in December selling items to raise money for the Wellbeing Centre and the group, more on this later.
- We also discussed emphasising that the Group is open to men, (and always has been) who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. They are welcome to attend our meetings.
Strawberry Tea:
Tickets are selling well for our Strawberry Tea on the 29 June 2024. Please bring any items for the raffle and the tombola to the June meeting as we still need prizes.
Summer Picnic:
It was agreed that our summer picnic would be on Saturday 31 August 2024 at Burgley Park, Stamford from 12pm onwards. I hope many of you will be able to attend. It’s good for us all to see members at events like this outside of the Group meetings, just to relax, have some nice food, chat and hopefully on this occasion stay dry! Fingers crossed for the weather.
Breast Care Nurses:
The nurses very kindly give up their time to come to our meetings. They will be coming to the June meeting. They are allocated a 30-minute slot 7.00 pm – 7.30 pm.
Welcome packs:
I mentioned at a previous meeting putting together a welcome pack for members joining the Group. I am pleased to say I have put together a number of welcome packs I will bring some along to the July meeting to see what members think of them.
A final thought:
Many members are very much still in the throes of their treatment be it chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery, and there will be those waiting for their treatment to begin. I am mindful that this month’s newsletter has focussed a lot on the upcoming social events. I know when I joined the Group I was in the middle of my treatment and socialising was the last thing I wanted to do but knowing there were members who had persevered and somehow made it through gave me hope, so much so that when I was well enough to turn up for a cup of tea and scone (with lots of cream and jam) I think it was the best cuppa I ever had.
Here’s a copy of May’s meeting here: Newsletter
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