News
Xmas Party Update
We had a good time on
Wednesday Night. This year we had guests from the
Leighton & Linslade Cancer Support Group
as well as our own crowd and Hospital Guests. There were
a few people we missed this year who were unable to come
on the night hopefully we will see them again shortly.
Alan took some pictures and we will hopefully have
something to post shortly.
We have to take time to thank Karen for organising the
quiz and the bingo which was great fun. Matt for
Borrowing a Mini Bus and Chauffeuring the L&L visitors
on the night. The Rugby Club for donating the room and a
big bottle of Fizz (amongst other stuff). Diane who
organised the food for us, Alan for beating people up to
buy raffle tickets. Everyone that bought a prize for the
raffle and of course Daphne for the Xmas Trifle.
We will be back at the Rugby Club on the 7th of January
at 7pm, see you there hopefully. Have a Great Xmas and
New Year.
Xmas Party Wednesday 10th
December 2014
7pm Rugby Club
Our apologies if you have
been on here looking for more details of the party. We
had a technical problem that resulted in us being unable
to make the changes visible to everyone.
Thanks to the generosity
of Luton Rugby Club we will hold the annual party
again at the Club in Newlands Road, Luton which is just
off Junction 10 of the M1.
We have a food, a quiz,
hopefully a couple of games of Bingo, our raffle (so
bring some money) and a full bar till around 10:15.
If you haven't confirmed
yet we still have room for a few more people. Please let
us know.
BBQ 13th July 2014
The Social Group BBQ went
very well thanks the the efforts of a number of
volunteers who spent most of the event providing food
for others.
We have some pictures of
the day but we would be happy to add any others if you
email them in to
web@hansg.co.uk.
Click here for the pictures.
BBQ and Soft Food
Party 1Pm-2pm Sunday 13th July at Luton Rugby Club in
Newlands Road Luton.
The Head and Neck social
Group would like to invite Members, New Patients, Carers
and Family to an informal BBQ at our usual venue Luton
Rugby Club.
The party starts at 1pm on the 13th of July till around
3pm. There will be a mixture of food available to suit
most patients. Children are welcome there is plenty of
room for them to run around.
The weather won’t stop play as we have plenty of shelter
available and the BBQ won’t get wet.
There is no charge its absolutely free but we do need to
know in advance who is coming so
we can be sure to feed you properly. Please email
web@hansg.co.uk.
Oh and the Rugby Club will have a full licensed bar with
soft drinks or tea and coffee also available.
Wednesday 2nd July
2014
Marie Browne (Macmillan Specialist
Psychotherapist)
Marie
has very kindly agreed to speak at our 2nd July meeting,
about psychological issues.
Wednesday 4th June
2014
John Pickles
Consultant ENT Surgeon
A number of our members have
good reason to recall John Pickles as their consultant
surgeon at a time when they desperately needed to be in
safe hands.
Recently John announced his
retirement and a number of members felt it would be fit ting
to mark the occasion.
To that end we have invited
John Pickles to attend the 4th of June
meeting (7pm) as we intend to make a small presentation
to him as a mark of appreciation.
Even if you are not a Head
and Neck cancer patient, perhaps one of his many ENT
successes you are welcome to come and toast John Pickles
with us on the 4th.
Wednesday 5th March
2014
Suzanne Edgington, Holistic Therapist, Naturopath &
Bodyworker.
Suzanne
has
been practising since 1996 and will being talking at the
next Head & Neck Social Group Meeting Luton on Wednesday
5th March 2014.
Suzanne has recent personal experience of
supporting her husband through the processes of a Head &
Neck Cancer and is coming to share her story. She will
also talk about how some of the therapies she practises,
such as Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Lymphatic
Drainage, Acupuncture, EFT, Nutrition and Meditation
might benefit those going through treatment for and
moving on from cancer.
Suzanne offers
practical advice for both the patient and carer
along with techniques and therapies designed to benefit
mentally, physically and emotionally.
Wednesday 5th of
February 7pm
Matt Corder, Health & Wellbeing Officer,
Active Luton
The
Macmillan Exercise Programme.
Luton
residents who have had or are currently
receiving treatment
for cancer can take advantage of a new
exercise programme led by Active
Luton.
The
Cancer and Physical Activity Pilot
will be running for a year
and offer a variety of exercise
activities.
Funded by
Macmillan Cancer Support, the pilot will
be run predominantly from the new Lewsey
Sports Park,
with a variety of wet and dry side
activities on offer.
Staff at
the centre will be working closely with
Macmillan nurses and experts from Luton
and Dunstable hospital to deliver
specific exercise programmes which will
cater to each individual’s needs.
Wednesday
January 8th 2014 7pm
For the more hardy of our
members there will be a meeting at the Rugby Club on the
8th of January not on New Years Day. Should be a good
opportunity to have a quite chat round the table.
Xmas Party
Pictures
Alan Wells kindly took a
number of pictures at the recent Xmas
 Party
which was very well attended. Thanks to everyone who
turned up especially the staff. I have been tempted to
add captions to some of the pictures but I have managed
to resist.
Click on Dave (The Hat's) picture to see
all the photos.
Wednesday December 11th
There will
not be a meeting on the first Wednesday in December.
Instead the Xmas Party will be on Wednesday the 11th
at 7pm.
We will be
holding another of our bring a prize raffles so please bring
a prize wrapped or otherwise so we can raise funds to
cover the buffet and a donation to the Rugby Club
This year we are also
able to go back to our previous format where we also had
a hamper for a prize. Premier foods have generously
donated a number of hampers that Macmillan are
distributing on their behalf.
We have cadged one and we
urge you to dig deep for the extra tickets in order to
boost the group's funds.
There will be a buffet on
offer as
usual and following Karen's successful effort last year she will be hosting the quiz again.
You are very welcome to bring a guest with
you. This is an open invitation to patients, carers,
your relatives, hospital staff and consultants.
The Rugby Club
has a full bar at good prices. Come and enjoy some good
company.
Wednesday 4th September 7PM
K-T Martinelli,
who most of you will know as the Head and Neck oncology
dietician will be stopping by to chat to. K-T was also the driving force behind a
campaign to have a soft ice cream machine installed on ward
20 at the L&D where many of you were treated.
K-T's
visits are always enlightening and her
direct and open
approach usually gets a good discussion going. More
details to follow.
Armchair
Theatre
 Our very own Ian
Bridgeman was chosen to take the lead role in
an
Educational Video aimed at Doctors, Dentists and
Pharmacists. The 10 minute video, made and distributed
under the direction of the Mount Vernon Trust can be
viewed by clicking on the "a star is born" logo.
Wednesday 5th June 7PM
Rob
Bunyan
leads a discussion on Oral Hygiene and Dental care
following treatment for Head and Neck Cancer.
If you have questions about dental care following
Surgery or Treatment Rob will be happy to advise.
Wednesday
May 1st at 7pm
 Now
classed as regulars the Complementary
Therapists Team based at
Luton's Barnfield College
are making another visit to
the Rugby Club.
Put
this in your diary.
The therapists are by far
the best supported of all our functions. Get there
early. It is always busy.
Keith Foster
31st May 1938 - 2nd
March 2013
It is with great sadness
that I have to report that Keith Foster passed away on
the 2nd of March 2013.
Keith was a tireless
worker and succeeded in bringing about many positive
changes that improved the experience for Cancer
Patients.
There was a Service of
Thanksgiving at Ashley Green on the 15th of March which
completely packed St. John Evangelist Church.
We are working to
establish a fitting memorial for Keith and we hope to
have news of that shortly.
We are happy to
announce that the Head and Neck Social Group won a
Silver award from the Mouth Cancer Foundation.
The Foundation reviews
the progress and commitment of Support Groups and their
future plans bi-annually .
Attached to the award is
a £1,000 cash donation to assist in further developing
the group.
Xmas Party Wednesday December 12th
There will
not be a meeting on the first Wednesday in December.
Instead the Xmas Party will be on Wednesday the 12th
at 7pm.
A buffet has
been arranged. Thanks to Matt’s partner Karen her
daughter is
organising and running a Xmas quiz for us on the night.
There will be prizes for the winning table.
We will be
holding another bring a prize raffle so please bring
a prize wrapped or otherwise so we can
raise funds to cover the buffet and a donation to the
Rugby Club.
You are very welcome to bring a guest with
you. This is an open invitation to patients, carers,
your relatives, hospital staff and consultants.
The Rugby Club
has a full bar at good prices. Come and enjoy some good
company.
(If you don’t have transport let us know we
will try to help)
Contact
Derek
web@hansg.co.uk.
Pam Blackburn
Many of you will know that in lieu of flowers
at Pam’s recent funeral relatives requested that a donation
be made to Cancer Research UK.
The collection we made at the Rugby Club raised £80.00 which
Hugh passed on to Cancer Research.
Thanks to you all for contributing.
Pampered Chef
Fundraiser Update
The
Pampered Chef fundraiser that Amanda Organised for us
went well last Wednesday. We made £54 from the sale of
the lo vely
cupcakes donated by Carolyn and the raffle. Keith won a
£20 voucher. We also
will be receiving
around £26 commission from sales on the night and I have
agreed to have a
home party in the
new Year.
So about £80 made in
total, a welcome addition to our funds.
The
Recipes for both the Broccoli Dip and the Chocolate
Molten Lava Cake are her on the website for those who
requested them.
Recipes
Click Here
www.pamperedchef.com
Draft Constitution
As the group has been
getting bigger and its operations are
becoming more complex Hugh and Derek
have been working to prepare a draft
constitution for the group. The
officers, representatives from the L&D
and other committee members also need to
be protected from events outside of
their control and some basic operational
rules need to be laid down.
There is a draft document
now available
Click Here for Word Document.
Everybody
is encouraged
to
comment on the draft and make
suggestions
or
objections as they see fit.
The timescale is for the
first round of submissions to be made by
Friday the 23rd of November. At that
point depending on the depth of the
changes the constitution will be adopted
with minor changes or it will be
re-submitted for further comment or pea
vote if required.
It is envisaged that
Hugh, as Chairman, will will consider
all submissions and take any decisions
required for the benefit of the group in
total.
Hints and Tips for Swallowing
Following on from Jenny Hunt’s September
talk on swallowing problems a number of
personal recommendations were made by
the members all of which have
experienced varying degrees of
Swallowing or Taste problems.
These have been collected together here
for the benefit of everyone
Click Here
for Details
November 7th –
Pampered Chef – Cookery
and product
demo fundraiser – 10% of sales will be returned as funds
for the group. There will also be a raffle. (which,
based on history, Amanda will no doubt win). There
will be a limited supply of some lovely cupcakes on sale
on the night, all monies to the Head and Neck Social
Group
October 3rd – Complementary
therapists from Barnfield College.
Put
this in your diary.
The therapists are by far
the most popular attraction we
have ever had.
We all had a great day out on the Canal
at Pits tone
on Sunday. Twenty one of us, including some relatives
and friends, enjoyed some of the best weather we've had
this year.
The Cruise company were more than fair,
they found a few extra public trippers and just charged
us for the Twenty One that we had booked.
One of the public trippers kindly took
the group picture above.
I will have some more pictures put up
shortly, I have some to process and I k now
that Jim has. Anyone else that has a good shot please
mail it to me.
Hopefully this will be the first of a
number of affordable social events. Suggestions are
welcome, if you have a trip that you want to organise
let me know.
Marisa Richards (Commissioning
Manager NHS Beds and Luton)
will
be addressing the Group at the 4th of April
Meeting.
Marisa is
interested in the group’s views about Radiotherapy.
Marisa would like to get the views of those who agreed
to Radiotherapy and also those of who chose not to.
She is
also interested in topics such as the options you might
have been given by your consultant and how the journey
time might have affected you decision to attend.
Please turn up and
participate in the discussion. Your views can affect the
policy and the outcome for future patients in this
region.
Day Room Ward 20
As we reported before the Day Room alongside
Wa rd
20 is being used for Head and Neck Members to meet with
current patients.
Whilst it was a nice quiet space it was a
typical Hospital Room with poor furnishings. The room has
now had a great makeover with input from the Head and Neck
Cancer Nurses.
Amanda Naylor has sent over the latest
picture. I'm sure anyone who has used the room in the past
will immediately notice the difference.
Fiona Ritchie will be answering
questions, offering hints and tips relating to dry mouth
and oral care.
Fiona works for RIS Products Ltd
www.risproducts.co.uk promoting a oral healthcare
products which are particularly relevant to Head and
Neck Cancer Patients.
Fiona Ritchie doubles as project manager
for Christine Piff Letsfacit
support network for people with facial disfigurement
www.lets-face-it.org.uk.
Fiona previously accompanied Christine on
her visit to the Head and Neck Support Group’s meeting
in November.
Louise Bolton who is a Macmillan Primary Care Oncology
CNS will be along to tell us about “The Cancer and
Exercise pilot which is starting this month.
Active Luton and Macmillan are working together to look
at exercise that can be offered to cancer patients
during treatment as it is shown to improve or prevent
the decline of physical function without increasing
fatigue.
Louise would like to take the opportunity to explain the
pilot scheme and hear what exercise patients might like
to take part in either individually or as a group.
Louis will also explain how to obtain an assessment to
join the pilot or how attend drop in centre for further
information.
You can find out more about the scheme by downloading
the PDF file :-
Physical Activity
Thanks to everyone who
came we had another great Xmas Party at the Rugby Club
this year. Thanks in particular to those who bought a prize for
our raffle the sale of tickets raised £125 which very nearly paid
for the catering. As a thank you for hosting the monthly
meetings (at no charge to the group) we made a modest
donation to the Rugby Club on behalf of all of us.
Thanks to anyone who has done something to make the
Social Group a growing success over the last year
especially Hugh who continues in his role as Chairman of
the Group. We shouldn’t forget the Rugby Club staff who
sometimes turn up for no other reason than to host our
evenings. Thank you
I think a special mention should also go to Keith who
many of you will know has required some surgical
maintenance over the last couple of weeks. He is now
back home and doing ok. I’m sure you will all join me in
wishing him well.
Don’t forget we will be back at the Rugby Club January
4th Please make it worthwhile for the Rugby Club to open
the doors. Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.
Xmas
Party 7:00 PM
It's that time again and the Head and Neck
Social Group would like you to be our guest and join us for
a drink and a buffet at our Xmas Party Wednesday December
14th.
This year we have splashed out on a floor
show and we have booked
 Russ
Styler who will tour the tables and perform magic close up.
You are very welcome to bring a guest with
you. This is an open invitation to patients, carers,
relatives, hospital staff and consultants.
There will
also be a Raffle on the night to raise funds please would
you bring a prize. The Rugby Club
has a full bar at good prices. Come and enjoy some Good
Company.
(If you don’t have transport let us know we
might be able to help.)
Contact
Derek
web@hansg.co.uk.
Pioneering Hospital
Buddies
Being diagnosed and treated for Head or Neck
Cancers is a difficult time for anyone. Members of the L&D
Head and Neck Cancer Social Group have pioneered a new
service that makes two members available each week to advise
and support recently treated patients.
The system works with the assistance of the
Head and Neck Specialist Nurse Carole Glover and Jenny Hunt
Speech and Language Therapist.
The Group is organised into teams of two who
make themselves available on a rota system. Visits are not
required every week but when they do take place they are
received well.
The team have all been vetted with the
assistance of the hospitals volunteer service and report to
the ward management on arrival. We are fortunate to have a
good size day room where the group can base themselves.
The system has been operational since the
beginning of Summer and we will be looking at the results of
their efforts in the new year. If you wish to start a
similar scheme or have questions regarding its operation
please mail web@hansg.co.uk.
Lets Face It
Thanks to Lets Face It founder Christine Piff and Fiona
Ritchie we had a very good meeting
in
November Christi ne proved to be a very positive role model
for victims of
Head or Neck Cancer.
www.lets-face-it.org.uk
It was a great presentation and we have asked
Fiona to come and talk to the group about dry mouth sometime
in the future.
Lets Face it November 2nd
2011
On Wednesday 2nd of November Christine Piff
Founder/Chief Executive and Project Manager Fiona Ritchie
both of Lets Face It have been invited to talk about their
work.
Christine Piff is the founder of Let's Face It;
in the loss of half her face, including the left eye.
Christine founded the network in 1984
having experienced the loneliness and
despair that living with a 'changed' face brings.
Fiona Ritchie will be on hand to offer advice on managing
the symptoms of dry mouth.
October
2011
Barnfield Complementary Therapist Team
As ever the
Barnfield team put in a real effort to make the evening
another great one.
Taking
Pictures
in the Bar is difficult because of the lighting but here are
a few to give a flavour of the night. We hope to have them
back again in 2011.www.barnfield.ac.uk
2011 Relay for Life
Saturday
17th and Sunday 18th saw the 2011 Relay for Life weekend of
entertainment and fundraising
 for
Cancer Research UK take place at Stockwood Park Luton.
If you have
never been to Relay you are missing a great party in the
park and a chance to support sponsored teams of walkers
making a 24hour assault on the athletics track to raise
funds for Cancer Research.
Both the
organisers and the teams put on sideshows and all kinds of
entertainment. Best of all its a party atmosphere.
There is
always a very professional stage and this year was no
exception with some excellent music, singing, excerpts from
musicals and even a choir. The more energetic joined in for
a long Zumba workout on the grass to some good music.
See all our
pictures Click Here.
Saving
Faces Family Bike Ride
 Jim
Lucas and Derek Tidman
had a great day out with the
Maxillofacial team
at the
Redbridge Cycle Centre in East London on
Saturday the 3rd.
We relaxed whilst the team pounded around a
particularly steep track in order to raise money for the
Charity Changing Faces. www.savingfaces.co.uk
Click the team picture for a page of photos
of the day. It's not to late to donate just follow the link
on the page.
Raising Money Saving Faces
 Chi-Hwa
Chan Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at Luton and
Dunstable Hospital has co-opted a team of clinicians from
the L&D, Bedford and family to raise money for Saving Faces.
The team will have their fitness tested on
Saturday 3rd September at the Redbridge cycle
centre in Ilford.
The team also aims to raise at least £500 to
pay for a statistical analysis of the outcome of the
treatment of every mouth cancer patient treated in their
unit over the past 9 years.
The statistician who will conduct the review
works at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre and she has offered to
donate the money she receives to the Mount Vernon Research
Fund!
This vital information is not currently
available. The outcome of treatment is of paramount
importance in order to modify and improve service to
patients.
The team would be happy to receive any
donations however small. Their online
Team Sponsorship Page Click Here
Free Travel Pass
Mouth Cancer 10 km Walk Hyde
Park London
Saturday 17th September 2011
There are a limited of grants
available for members of
Head
and Neck
Cancer
and Laryngectomy support groups to attend the annual Mouth
Cancer Walk in Hyde Park London.
The Mouth
Cancer 10 KM Walk is
designed to increase
awareness of head and neck cancers, celebrate survivorship,
create an opportunity to meet friends, remember lost dear
ones, and also have a fun day!
Everyone’s Invited.
13.00 arrival 14.00 walk.
Last year
Amanda Naylor
(Head and Neck Support Nurse) her Husband, K-T Martinelli
(Head and Neck Macmillan Oncology dietitian) and
Susy
Smallbones (ENT Nurse Practitioner) raised £700 at the
event.
www.mouthcancerwalk.org
Call 01924 950 950 Email mel@mouthcancerfoundation.org
Strawberries and Cream at
the Rugby Club
Wednesday
6th July
Summer
is here and to celebrate we are throwing
a welcome party to encourage new and
existing members to attend. There is
no charge just bring
yourself and a friend if you wish.
June Meeting
is the
Second Wednesday due to a prior
commitment at the Rugby Club.
Wednesday 8th June 7pm
Raising money (the hard way).
All the pledges have been called in and the moneys now been
collected
Aran, Connor, Sam and
Seb
raised an
amazing total of £5,094 which is a great result.
John Pickles (the
L&D's
Medical Director) took time out to accept the cheque on
behalf of Ward 20 at our June Meeting at the Luton Rugby
Club.
Well done Lads.
(Ironman
& 70.3 are recognised as registered trademarks of
WTC and are used to link to the WTC
website for information)
Raising "Loads of money (the hard way)"
Due to the varying commitments of the team
members the Ironman Half-Triathlon took place at short
notice on the 10th of April.
James Lucas was on hand to see them finish.
 "Everyone
seemed to enjoy it, surprisingly nobody looked exhausted,
estimated timings for each stage were pretty close except
for 2 punctures on the cycling stage.
We shook a bucket at the
swimming pool which ended up with a few pence under £100 and
another was shaken at the pub that looked
 fuller
but hadn't been counted.
A quick peek at the just
giving page has a tally over £2800 @ 56% of target and the
text and puns have been amended to announce that the boys
completed their challenge with the page being kept open for
another month."
The
Ironman
Half Triathlon consists of a:
1.2 Mile Swim
56 Mile Bike Ride
13.1 Mile Run
This
severe test of stamina and determination was in order to
raise funds for the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Head and
Neck Cancer Unit.
"Getting back to work" Have
your Say
Anil Garcia will be attending our April meeting to get
your views and to pass on what's been learnt to date.
 Vocational Rehabilitation in Cancer
Vocational rehabilitation has been described
as a process
whereby those disadvantaged by illness or disability can be
enabled to access, maintain or return to employment, or
other useful occupation (British Society of Rehabilitation
Medicine, 2003).
The Cancer Reform Strategy, recognised the
needs of, and lack of services for, people living with the
side effects and long-term consequences of cancer treatment.
As a result of this, the National Cancer Survivorship
Initiative (NCSI) was established, led by the Department of
Health and Macmillan Cancer Support.
A project group was set up to review the
provision of vocational rehabilitation and develop a
vocational rehabilitation service model that could be
piloted.
Mount Vernon
Cancer Network is a pilot site for the development of a
Vocational Rehabilitation Model and work is now
underway to discover the availability of employment support
for people after a cancer diagnosis, the information
available to staff to enable them to answer queries and
concerns, and to employers to enable them to
support their work force effectively.
Feedback
is
being sought from Patients
and Carers on their experiences
of getting back to work to enable
the production
and
availability of
effective and supportive help.
WE
WOULD WELCOME YOUR EXPERIENCES
 If
you would
like to take part in this project and have experiences that
you
feel could help plan for the future please contact the
project lead
on
the details below. Feedback can be given
either by Phone,
email or Face to Face.
For
further information please contact Project Lead – Anil
Garcia on 07889205064 or via email: anil.garcia@nhs.net
Xmas
Party 7:00 PM Luton Rugby Club
It's that time again and the Head and Neck
Social Group would like you to be our guest and join us for
a drink and a buffet at our Xmas Party Wednesday December
15th.
You are very welcome to bring a guest with
you. This is an open invitation to patients, carers,
relatives, hospital staff and consultants.
Liza Pheazey will be running a Prize Quiz.
The Rugby Club caterers are supplying the Buffet. There will
also be a Raffle on the night to raise funds. The Rugby Club
has a full bar at good prices. Come and enjoy some Good
Company.
(If you don’t have transport let us know we
might be able to help.)
Contact
Derek
web@hansg.co.uk.
Raising money "the hard way"
NB. Due to the severe weather
in late November and December the team have been unable to
train for the bike ride and have taken the reluctant
decision to postpone the Half Triathlon until the Spring.
More News Later
On
the 22nd of December Sam Hunt and three friends will attempt
to complete an unofficial
Ironman
Half-Triathlon in the Luton Harpenden Area.
The
Ironman
Half Triathlon consists of a:
1.2 Mile Swim
56 Mile Bike Ride
13.1 Mile Run
This
severe test of stamina and determination is in order to
raise funds for the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Head and
Neck Cancer Unit.
 Sam
will be along to the Head and Neck Social Group Meeting on
the 3rd of November to tell us all about the challenge and
what it takes to prepare for it. Connor, Sam, Aran, and Seb have set up a just Giving Page
http://www.justgiving.com/halfironmen.
For those of you who don't
know Just Giving is safe secure way of giving that also
credits the charity with a tax rebate on all donations given
by UK Taxpayers. (Just Giving do not sell, use your details
or send unwanted emails.
(Ironman
& 70.3 are recognised as registered trademarks of
WTC and are used to link to the WTC
website for information)
Raising money "its a Walk in
the park"
To mark the
countdown to Mouth Cancer Awareness Week between 14th and
the 20th November 2010 the annual Mouth Cancer 10KM
Awareness Walk took place in Kensington Gardens London on
the 18th of September.
This year Three Members
of the Head and Neck Team at the Luton and Dunstable
Hospital completed the 10k walk. The
sponsored walk attempts to raise awareness
of mouth cancer.
Between the three, Amanda
Naylor (Head and Neck Support Nurse) with her Husband, K-T
Martinelli (Head and Neck Macmillan Oncology dietitian) and
Susy
Smallbones (ENT Nurse Practitioner) over £700 was raised for
charity
“I scream, you scream, we all
scream — for ice cream!”
Those
of you who have been treated at the L&D will
alread y
know the hospital’s head and neck oncology dietician Katrina
(K-T) Martinelli. K-T has been the driving force behind a
campaign to have a soft ice cream machine installed as part
of the specialist cancer unit.
The
machine has now been installed on the ward and is providing
high calorie, high protein food to patients. As many readers
will already know head and neck cancer sufferers often have
difficulty eating especially just after treatment.
K-T
explained the benefits. “Ice cream is an acceptable food for
most people so our patients will have available at all times
a food which will not only help them achieve their
nutritional requirements but that is easy to eat and will
not cause embarrassment in the process. Confidence in eating
and swallowing safely will be restored much quicker.”
Mr
John Pickles, Divisional Director of Surgery and consultant
Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon at the L&D said,
“Head
and neck cancer patients are often admitted to Luton &
Dunstable hospital with pre existing, nutritional problems
since the site of this disease makes people more vulnerable
to malnutrition even before diagnosis. Nutrition plays a
key role in successful treatment of cancer of the head and
neck and the ice cream machine brings many benefits for our
patients who can face a slow and arduous recovery after very
complex surgery.”
The
money to purchase the ice-cream machine was donated by head
and neck cancer patients and the hospital will underwrite
the future maintenance costs. Patients from the Cancer
Service users and the Head and Neck Cancer Support Groups
are backing the introduction of the ice-cream machine and
will be promoting its use in the hospital.
Although its a simple idea the beneficial impact on patients
cannot be underestimated. We hope this initiative will be
rolled out elsewhere as it deserves to succeed.
The
media also liked the idea with a TV crew turning up to talk
with K-T and Ronnie Barbour inviting K-T on to the Nine on
BBC 3 Counties. K-T turned in a great performance, which if
you didn't catch, can be played in Windows Media Player from
this site by clicking here.
K-T and Ronnie.
It will take a little time to load.
Contributions to support the maintenance or towards further
machines would be welcome. If you wish to contribute you can
email the
Treasurer of the Head and Neck Social
Group for details.
L&D Foundation Trust AGM
K-T took the Ice Cream Machine to the
Foundation Trust's Annual Members Meeting on
20th
September.
K-T is joined here by Spencer Colvin Chairman of the
L&D and our very own James Lucas representing the Head and
Neck Social Group.
Spencer Colvin is an enthusiastic supporter
of K-T's CoolAid Project to improve the nutrition of Head
and Neck Cancer Patients.
Hansg didn't miss the opportunity to rattle a
tin for the CoolAid Project and we raised a few pounds
towards maintenance of the machine.
Launch of CoolAid
To confirm the Head and Neck Social Group's
support for K.T's Ice Cream project we are pleased to
announce the formation of CoolAid.
CoolAid is the collective banner under which
we hope everyone will come together to raise funds and
awareness for K.T's project.
Luton Rugby Club be the first fundraisers to
use the new logo at their Hawaiian Night on Saturday 30th of
October.
For more details contact Derek Tidman
web@hansg.co.uk
Relay for Life
We had
another great day at the Luton Relay for Life event in
Stockwood Park. Even though the weather in mid September can
be variable the rain mostly held off and the sun shone on
the Saturday.
Six or
seven of us turned up from Hansg along with a few other
faces that we recognised from other support and fund raising
groups.
As
usual Susan Blee was racing around forcing the whole thing
to work. As the picture will attest, its almost impossible
to stop her for enough time to tak e
her picture.
As has
become a tradition for Dave and I we managed to get another
picture of Dave with the Mayor and Kelvin Hopkins the local
MP.
Click on any picture and
it will take you to the collection where you can click on
any thumbnail to see the full size pictures.
Hawaiian
Night at the Luton Rugby Club
Luton
Rugby Union Football Club have confirmed their commitment to
the Head and Neck Social Group and the CoolAid Project which
is the clubs chosen Good Cause for the season.
Alongside their own
Club development fundraising,
Luton Rugby Club will also use its events
program to raise money for CoolAid.
The first of these
events will be a Hawaiian Night, to celebrate the beginning
of the season and the end of summer. Taking place on
Saturday 18th of September 2010 the night will commence
directly after the 1st XV match versus Hereford at Newlands
Road, Luton.
All supporters will
gain free entry and parking, bars open at Midday, game kicks
off at 3pm.
The Club will be
pre-selling wristbands for the Hawaiian Night wristband
wearers will benefit from special prices at the bar.
Wristbands will be available at £5 this week at the club and
at the match on Saturday. With a live band starting at 5pm,
food and full bar available throughout the night, a great
evening is predicted.
The second event
will be held on Saturday 30th of October, with details for
this event
being confirmed within the coming month.
For further information
please contact the Luton
Rugby Union Football Club Office on 01582 720355.
A message from our
Chairman Hugh Mc Grath.
All of us have been
diagnosed, treated or have cared for someone who has
suffered from Head and Neck
Cancer.
Some of us still
have our sense of humour; some of us have even retained most
of our intelligence. Some know how to cook, fix cars, sew,
weld, paint and decorate, plumb, garden and possibly how to
milk cows.
We can be grumpy
sometimes, irritable at others. Sometimes we hate not being
able to eat what we want. Other times we hanker after the
way things used to taste. Occasionally we can be
entertaining and good fun to be with.
We all have
experience that we are happy to share. We all understand
what its like to be launched back into the world with the
collateral damage caused by surgery and radiotherapy.
We don’t really do
that much, we meet, we often have a guest who has
a
relevant skill and we chat for a bit.
Most of the time we
just sit around getting to know each other.
What we would like
is for you to join us so that we can have a bigger and
better group. In order to make the group a little more
social we have moved our venue to
The Luton Rugby Club which
is close by J10 of the M1.
We made the move to
somewhere with a bar (coffee is also available) because we know some people just don’t like
hospitals.
Our venue is a quiet
private bar at the club where we can socialise or have
presentations without being disturbed.
We can be a big help
to those of you just coming to terms with the speed and
savagery of what happened to you and in return you can help
us grow into something worthwhile.
If you are a carer
you are welcome to come along with or without your charge
and see how we can help. If you have been treated elsewhere
you are still very welcome.
Hugh
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