Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group
Newsletter
17th. August 2014
SUPPORTING NEWLY DIAGNOSED MEN – Thanks to volunteers
The response to the request in the last Newsletter for volunteers to provide advice and guidance to men who have had a new diagnosis of prostate cancer has been very positive. Many thanks to all who have volunteered. The Secretary now holds a list of at least two men willing to talk about each treatment method (except brachytherapy, where another volunteer would be welcome). You may not be called on often but your input will be extremely valuable when it comes.
THANK YOU TO CUSTOMERS OF WAITROSE IN WITNEY
Customers at Waitrose in Witney have followed the example of those in Thame by voting a substantial sum to OPCSG in the Community Matters scheme. Community Matters is the scheme whereby Waitrose generously offer £1000 and allow their customers to vote for a month between three nominated charities. OPCSG received 46% of the votes cast, another example of our impact in the community. OPCSG committee member Gwilym Mason collected a cheque for £460 from the Duty Manager at Waitrose Witney.
MAGGIE’S CANCER CENTRES
The new Maggie’s in Oxford is now open and welcomes cancer patients and their supporters to drop in. At Maggie’s you can talk to, and get support from, a range of professional people. Their Centres are staffed by Cancer Support Specialists, Benefits Advisers, Nutritionists and Psychologists who can support you in whichever way best suits your need. Contact details for the Oxford centre:
Churchill Hospital, Old Road, Oxford OX3 7LJ, Phone: 01865 225690.
WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS IN MANY AREAS
Here are two ways in which you could help OPCSG:
- Become a member of the committee and contribute ideas and views, and help to organise events. Please contact us if you feel that you can contribute.
- Help at external events such as the Distinguished Gentleman’s Bike Ride (28 September), Banbury Boat Day (5 October), and Oxford Round Table Fireworks (8 November) – see below for event details. We shall need at least a dozen collectors at the 8 November fireworks so please note the date and let us know nearer the time if you can help. It’s a big fundraiser for us – last year we raised £1120 in two hours.
If you can help at any of these events please contact John Goldsmith on 01865 580152 or George Goldsmith on 01235 763486.
AWARENESS AND FUNDRAISING EVENTS
28 September: the Distinguished Gentleman’s Bike Ride. The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride is a classic styled motorcycle event that gives prostate cancer a two-wheeled salute goodbye by raising awareness and supporting research into Men's Health by bringing together 'dapper' riders of classic machines, cafe racers, trackers, bobbers and custom motorcycles. Think: monocles, jaunty trimmed moustaches, silk vests, crisp shirts and tailored suits. The ride is free to take part in, but riders can consider helping the charity by getting friends and family to sponsor their involvement or by buying official merchandise. All of the rides this year around the world will take place on Sunday 28th September. The Oxford ride will start at Pear Tree Services just north of Oxford city centre, ride into Oxford, then out towards Cowley, through Cowley High Street and back into Oxford then heading out towards the final destination at The Victoria Arms pub in Marston, which is a delightful venue on the banks of the river Cherwell. OPCSG will have a stand at the pub to spread awareness of PCa and our local role in supporting patients. Sounds fun! Why not come along to the Victoria Arms from about 12 noon when the riders will be arriving? Volunteers to help spread awareness – please contact us!
5 October: Banbury Boat Day. Further details available soon. Tell John Goldsmith if you can help.
8 November: Round Table Fireworks, South Park, Headington: we shall need plenty of volunteers to hold collecting buckets and get a free view of Oxford’s best traditional firework display. There will be a separate appeal for volunteers at a later date.
FUTURE MEETINGS to be held at Oxford Golf Club from 6.30 p.m. onwards:
Monday 1 September: This meeting will be an open forum and social quiz. We are inviting members to submit topics that they would like to hear discussed in the forum, and already the topic of diet and prostate cancer has been put forward. If you would like to add a topic to the list for discussion please let me know – contacts below.
Monday 20 October: Paul Mayhew-Archer, script writer and comedian, will give an illustrated talk about his life in film, television and radio. Paul has been co-writer of 'The Vicar of Dibley' and is currently writing and filming the forthcoming TV film version of Roald Dahl's ‘Esio Trot’ starring Dustin Hoffman and Judi Dench. This will be a hilarious evening of comic memories and anecdotes.
Saturday 6 December at 7 pm: Skittles evening at the Ferryman's Arms, Bablock Hythe
BANBURY: The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 24 September at 7.00 for 7.30 p.m., at The Cromwell, North Bar, Banbury.
TACKLE – The Prostate Cancer Support Federation
Follow this link to read the latest edition of the Federation’s publication. On page 7 you will find an interesting report of a recent steamer trip on the River Thames!
http://www.tackleprostate.org/uploads/files/ProstateMatters_latest.pdf
DUO’s barbeque. Unfortunately their annual barbecue on Friday 29 August at 7.30 p.m. has had to be cancelled.
Keep in touch with news and events on our website, http://www.opcsg.org/homepage, and let us know if you would like copies of our leaflets to give to people or display somewhere where they may be seen. If you no longer wish to receive this Newsletter please let me know on john@grundybell.demon.co.uk or 01865 730110.
Kind regards, John Grundy Vice Chairman, OPCSG