BREAST Friends Solihull has extended the vital support it offers to local women affected by breast cancer by making a remarkable £20,000 donation to Breast Cancer Haven’s new centre opening in Solihull in October.
This huge donation to Breast Cancer Haven, West Midlands is the largest the centre has received to date and will enable the charity to complete the refurbishment of the kitchen at the new haven.
Breast Friends Solihull supports both NHS and private sector patients to provide practical support and can offer financial help towards many support services to help women going through a difficult time.
Run by a committed group of volunteers, the group fundraise throughout the year to provide support to women affected by breast cancer. As well as providing emotional and financial support to individuals, the group also funds other breast cancer support services for local women, including specialist hospital equipment for patients undergoing treatment for the condition.
The group is supported by the expertise of consultant surgeons, oncologists, specialist doctors and nurses who give up their time to provide up-to-date information on developments in treatment.
Christine Pile of Breast Friends Solihull said: “Our group is run by a dedicated team of volunteers who have all experienced breast cancer as a patient or cared for a loved one. We support local ladies through their cancer journey from the initial diagnosis, when much seems frightening and unknown, all through treatment, recovery and beyond.”
“Breast Friends Solihull is looking forward to the opening of Breast Cancer Haven, West Midlands as the facility will provide additional support to our ladies.”
The new Solihull centre will provide vital one-to-one support for some 12,500 breast cancer patients across the county, a service currently unavailable locally. Led by a clinical specialist, the haven’s trained professional nurses, therapists and counsellors will work closely with NHS partners to help service users and their families cope with the wider impact of breast cancer. The centre will provide personalised, specialist care including counselling, acupuncture and massage as well as nutritional advice, welfare and money guidance, support groups, meditation and exercise group classes, workshops and outreach days.
Fundraising manager Amanda Elliott said: “We are extremely grateful to Breast Friends Solihull for this amazing donation. The group have been so supportive of our new centre and are already providing invaluable assistance to local women with breast cancer. We are very much looking forward to working closely with them to ensure that everyone with breast cancer gets the emotional, physical and practical support they need, when they need it.”
“The kitchen will be a vital part of the centre. A place where our volunteers can prepare healthy and nutritious meals for our Visitors, and where our Visitors can talk to others about their hopes and fears. This wonderful donation will ensure that we are able to get everything in the kitchen ready in time for the opening.”
The centre must raise £600,000 each year to run its free support service for local women. Anyone – including trusts, foundations, companies and individuals – who would like to get involved in fundraising activities should contact Amanda Elliott on 07497 354428 or email [email protected].
Visit www.breastcancerhaven.org.uk for more information about Breast Cancer Haven.
