Group helps support blood cancer patients
A SPECIALIST support group for patients with blood cancers and their carers has been launched at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.
The monthly support group was set up by Macmillan haematology clinical nurse specialist Stacey Nutt after she become concerned about a gap in the provision of support for patients suffering from myeloma, leukaemia, and lymphoma.
Stacey said: "Many general cancer support groups only provide information from a clinical and professional view. We hope that this group will be unique, providing an informal environment where patients and carers can share experiences.
"We hope the group will be run by patients themselves, with individuals volunteering to speak and choosing discussion topics they feel would be useful such as financial advice."
The sessions will be held in the Chatsfield Suite at Doncaster Royal Infirmary and hope to attract patients and carers from Bassetlaw and Doncaster.
Stacey said feedback from the launch event has been extremely positive and several emails of encouragement have been sent to the staff from those who attended in both a personal and professional capacity.
Cancer patient, Kevin Baines, and his wife Bridgette, from Bassetlaw, attended the support group launch.
Bridgette said: "It was a great opportunity to listen to other patients and carers' stories. I really felt I could relate to the speakers.
"Sometimes you feel like you're the only person going through the different emotions, but it's good to know there are other people out there who share your experiences. I think the support group will provide a valuable network of support."
Joy Coulson, from Doncaster, who attended as carer of her mother-in-law Dorothy, said: "I think this group will benefit both patients and carers alike. It's great to have some support outside a clinical environment and it's also a great way to get Dorothy out of the house, providing a friendly setting for us both to share our experiences. The nurses have done a fantastic job establishing the group."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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