ISSUE 5 FEBRUARY Newsletter. Introducing Lindsey Anderson. Friends Information & Support Radiographer

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1 ISSUE 5 FEBRUARY 2013 Newsletter Introducing Lindsey Anderson Friends Information & Support Radiographer

2 02 WELCOME Welcome &OLLEEN 6HAW In 2013 around 11,000 local people will hear the news that they have cancer. While, increasingly, there are positive outcomes ahead, we understand that this remains a hugely daunting diagnosis. We know, too, that there s a tough journey ahead... which is why we re here to help. Friends of the Cancer Centre exists to add to the superb care already available at Northern Ireland s Centre of Excellence. Guided by the Centre s medical, social work and research teams plus outreach services across Northern Ireland, we fund key posts, support crucial research, buy equipment, provide facilities and patient comforts... we even support the hotel which exists right here in the hospital complex for patients and families who live far from the hospital but who need regular treatment. We are flexible and fast and we work hard and creatively to deliver appropriate help where it s needed... and when it s needed. any of our important work without you and people like you. I m hoping that, when you glance through this newsletter, you ll be inspired by just how much can be achieved when people come together, united by a common objective. Whether you give a little or a lot of your time or money on our behalf you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are extending the hand of friendship to people in challenging circumstances. Together we can make a difference, so let s do it. We re called Friends for a reason! People depend on Friends and Friends depends on donations. We can t do Colleen Shaw Director, Friends of the Cancer Centre The projects that Friends fund fall under the following areas: (QUIPMENT 5ESEARCH &LINICAL 1URSE 6PECIALISTS 3ATIENT &OMFORT &ARE

3 Friends Post Helps Demystify Radiotherapy Radiotherapy has helped to revolutionise cancer treatment and, here in the Cancer Centre, Belfast City Hospital, around 4000 people have radiotherapy each year as part of their treatment. However, according to Lindsey Anderson who is the Friends Information & Support Radiographer at the hospital, radiotherapy can be a frightening prospect for patients. NEWS 03 She says, This is a highly technical and specialist field and, when radiotherapy is suggested as part of a treatment programme, patients are often, quite naturally, anxious and confused at the unknown. Part of my role, alongside the rest of the team, is to explain the treatment and answer questions in as helpful a way as possible. It s hard to take in all the information you may need when you re still coming to terms with your diagnosis and probably feel overwhelmed. Sometimes you only think of the right questions to ask long after your consultation but that s where I come in. I m on hand to provide information and, hopefully, reassurance about what to expect and no question is too silly or trivial, believe me! I also refer people onto other specialist or support services as needed. Lindsey who is a fully qualified Radiographer also did a post-graduate Diploma in Counselling & Theraputic Communications before taking on her current role, providing information and guidance to patients and their families as needed, liaising with other health professionals on radiotherapy-related issues and offering referral services for specialist help. Based in the Cancer Centre Lindsey says, If I m not actually at my desk, I have a voic so that I can get back to people. A team of Therapy radiographers, including myself, run regular Information Evenings for patients and their families, on the third Tuesday evening of each month. We welcome people into the Cancer Centre for an introductory talk on radiotherapy and to see the equipment that we use. This can help people relax a little as it can give tremendous reassurance to know what s in store. The Information Evenings also provide an opportunity to meet some of the professionals who administer the treatment and to see they are as caring and understanding as they are skilled. Some people also find it helpful to bring a friend or relative along. Lindsey adds, I am delighted that Friends of the Cancer Centre has funded my post and I d like to thank all those people who donate to the charity to make this sort of work possible. If they could talk to patients and families as I do, they would know at once the value of their donations: thank you for doing something so positive!

4 04 FRIENDS Pictures of Success These smiling faces from across Northern Ireland have been putting the fun into fundraising. Amazing people doing amazing things with good humour and a fantastic sense of community spirit. We salute them all and send a great big thank you to everyone who is helping Friends to make a difference. Everybody needs Friends.

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6 06 MAKING A DIFFERENCE New Service for Young People with Cancer When a young person is diagnosed with cancer, healthcare professionals recognise that this group of patients has individual needs that differ from children and older adults. Consideration needs to be given to social, emotional, psychological and physical development on an individual basis. The Cancer Centre believes that Teenagers and Young Adults deserve this service and year olds who are being treated by the hospital s Oncology and Haematology speciality will benefit from a service that will be specially tailored to suit their needs. Helping to make this positive difference come to life is Renee Reid who has just taken up the post of Teenager and Young Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, which is funded by Friends of the Cancer Centre. She developed an interest for improving the care given to this age group many years ago and has completed post graduate education in the speciality. She says I am thrilled to be at the initial stages of setting up and delivering this new exciting service in Northern Ireland. My role is largely shaped by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People with Cancer which focuses on a seamless service for young people helping to meet their agerelated specific needs. That may sound very text book but my vision is that the delivery of this service will be truly personal and will be flexible as the young person moves through different stages in their treatment and development journey. My aim is to provide a multi-disciplinary focus which will incorporate psychosocial and supportive care and will involve bringing together the whole network of people, organisations and resources which already exists to support young people with cancer. I will also support the extended family along with my social work colleagues, medical teams and allied healthcare professionals. One of Renee s first tasks will be to work with her colleagues to open the new Day Room for Teenagers and Young People which Friends of the Cancer Centre is refurbishing. She says, The new day room is looking fantastic and is a great symbol of what we want to be doing for this age group. I know they ll really appreciate being able to kick back and relax in a room that s been designed for them: I only hope they won t ban over 25 s from entry!

7 HOW YOU CAN HELP 07 Claire joins Friends Team &LAIRE 0C$ULEY Friends of The Cancer Centre has just welcomed Claire McAuley on board as the new Events & Community Fundraising Manager. Claire says I m delighted to be given the opportunity to work for Friends of the Cancer Centre and help cancer patients and their families and I hope that, in some small way, I can help make a difference to the lives of people affected by cancer. As Events & Community Fundraising Manager, my job is to build upon the success of Friends fundraising and I m asking for your help too. If you think you can help, please contact me on or me at info@friendsofthe cancercentre.com Here are some ways you can get involved: 6ET UP A )UNDRAISING SUPPORT GROUP IN YOUR LOCAL AREA %ECOME A g)riendsh AMBASSADOR 'ISTRIBUTE COLLECTION CANS IN YOUR AREA 'ONATE AN HOUR OF YOUR TIME AT ONE OF OUR STREET COLLECTIONS %ECOME A 5AFFLE SELLER 'ISTRIBUTE EVENTS POSTERS AND FLYERS

8 08 EVENTS wh t s i g Here are a few of the great fundraising events we have planned for Check them out and discover others at Call to let us know how YOU and YOUR friends will help us make 2013 a record year. Belfast City Marathon May Day Bank Holiday Monday, 6 May Run, walk, relay or fun run. Be a good sport and sign up now. For your fundraising pack and free Friends tee shirt contact the Friends office. Belvoir Forest & Lagan Valley Walk Saturday 1st June Bring the pram, the dog and as many people as you can! A light lunch will be provided. Registration FREE The Dragon Boat Race Saturday 29th June Cutter s Wharf, Stranmillis. Each boat requires 17 participants. Individuals/smaller groups can also be accommodated. Registration 10 The Slieve Donard Challenge Saturday 7th September Climb 850m (2,789 ft) and reach the peak of the highest of the Mourne Mountains. Registration 10 Santa Skydive Saturday 30th November Take the ultimate challenge by taking part in our Tandem Santa Skydive challenge. Participants will be parachuting from a height of 13,000ft! For more information on these or other events, call Claire McAuley on: or claire.mcauley@belfasttrust.hscni.net Find us on Facebook Follow us on Friends of the Cancer Centre, NI Cancer Centre, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, BT9 7AB T: E: info@friendsofthecancercentre.com W: Charity No. XN 87255