Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group
Newsletter August 2015
KEEPING YOUR GROUP RUNNING – DO YOUR BIT?
OPCSG has gained a deserved reputation for its work raising awareness of prostate cancer and providing support services to men and their families who experience the cancer. The work is all done by volunteers, the Committee members and others who help out at events. One central figure will be stepping down at the next AGM: George Goldsmith has been absolutely central to our success over five years, and it will soon be someone else’s turn to act as Secretary. We may well need new Committee members as well – so please start thinking now whether you can step forward to make a contribution, and talk to me or any Committee member if you want more information.
GROUP MEETING MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 6.30 for 7.00 pm OXFORD GOLF CLUB
At this meeting we will hear from representatives of two centres in Oxfordshire which provide active support for men and women with cancer, and their families. The Hummingbird Centre at Launton, near Bicester, provides a range of therapies and counselling in a relaxed environment, and Maggie’s, with a convenient location next to the Churchill Hospital, is a drop-in centre with a national reputation for the support it provides. Mechelle Harris will talk about the Hummingbird. Eleanor Green from Maggie’s will be accompanied by Atif Kaudri, their Benefits Adviser who can talk about benefits available to cancer patients. Please bring a raffle prize!
http://thehummingbirdcentre.org.uk/index.html
https://www.maggiescentres.org/our-centres/maggies-oxford/
MAGGIE’S – LIVING WITH AND BEYOND PROSTATE CANCER – NEW COURSE
The very successful eight week course run by Maggie’s Centre in April/May, ‘Living with and beyond prostate cancer’, was attended almost exclusively by OPCSG members and their partners. Several who would have liked to attend found the course fully booked. It’s therefore a pleasure to report that Maggie’s are going to run the course again in October. Details:
The course is for those affected by Prostate cancer and its treatment but friends and family are welcome to join. The sessions will be facilitated by professional staff from Maggie’s and the hospital, and covers areas such as:
- Understanding fatigue and ways to manage it
- Hormonal symptoms
- Continence problems and how to deal with them
- Sexual dysfunction and relationships
- Dealing with loss of confidence and managing stress
- The benefit of exercise. The course includes physical activity (it doesn’t matter what level of fitness you currently have)
Men and their families also have the opportunity to share advice and provide support to others who have been through similar experiences.
The course starts on Thursday 8th October, 2-4pm, and will run for seven weeks. Bookings can be made by phoning the centre on 01865 751882 or emailing claire@maggiescentres.org.
OPCSG MAKES PRESENTATION TO UROLOGY OUTPATIENTS
We are delighted to announce that OPCSG has been able to present a radio to the Urology Outpatients Department at the Churchill Hospital. There was a perceived need for soothing background music in one of their waiting areas in the Wytham Wing and OPCSG has been able to meet the need using funds from our many donations. Prostate cancer patients attending for consultations will be able to enjoy the relaxing background music as they wait!
RECENT EVENTS
The annual river cruise on 28 June was voted a great success. Just under 100 people joined the Salters Steamer from Abingdon upstream to Sandford and back, the cream teas all disappeared and the jazz was superb. We hope to do something similar next year. The following evening saw Cassington almost overwhelmed by the numbers (10,000+) attending the Bike Night, and we had a strong presence as well as making money from the car parking. On 18 July the OPCSG team of volunteers enjoyed another great day out spreading awareness of prostate cancer at the West Oxfordshire Vintage and Steam Fair. Visitors came in all shapes and sizes (there was a clown on stilts) and the traction engines were magnificent. Among the serious discussions it was rewarding to hear one man say, ‘I don’t need your information, thank you. You gave it to me at another event – and I went and got checked, with a good result.’ Comments like that make the effort worthwhile.
AWARENESS EVENTS 2015 – GET CHECKED!
As always, volunteers are needed to help us spread the word about PCa at the following events. If you can help, even if only for an hour or two, please let John Goldsmith know: 01865 580152, john.goldsmith43@outlook.com.
Sunday 30 August – White Horse Show, Uffington
Sunday 27 September – Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride (at the Victoria Arms, Marston)
Sunday 4 October – Banbury Boat Day
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2015
Group meetings - venue (except for skittles): The Oxford Golf Club, Hill Top Road, Oxford, OX4 1PF
Monday 14 September – representatives from Maggie’s Oxford and Hummingbird Centre, Launton, to talk about their services, including information about benefits available to patients;
Monday 19 October Ken Fitt: ‘The growth of popular music in the twentieth century’;
Saturday 5 December - skittles evening.
Details of each meeting will be published in following Newsletters and on the website at www.opcsg.org/homepage - do keep looking there.
Your Committee is working on a programme of meetings and activities for 2016. If you have any ideas or requests, please let us know.
If you no longer wish to receive this Newsletter please let me know on john@grundybell.demon.co.uk or 01865 730110.
John Grundy Chairman, OPCSG