Heartbeat: Cancer patients enjoy annual wellbeing event

September 16, 2019

Hundreds of patients were pampered and entertained when they attended a special wellbeing fair held by our cancer support service.

The annual event was held at the West Bromwich Albion ground where more than 350 patients and their carers were invited to enjoy treatments from beauticians, massage therapists, meditation experts or to learn floristry skills.

They were also there to learn more about the support available from the Living with and Beyond Cancer team, which is a programme delivering patient care, funded by Macmillan to the tune of more than £500,000.

The event was planned and managed by Jenny Donovan, Cancer Services Manager. Jackie Cooper, Macmillan Living with and Beyond Cancer Programme Manager said: “This is a really great programme that aims to offer emotional and practical wellbeing to help patients live well with cancer.

“It’s a cause for celebration that more people than ever are surviving following a cancer diagnosis, but we know the impact of cancer doesn’t suddenly stop when their treatment is over.

“We are working in partnership with Macmillan and Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group to help improve the experience of people living with and beyond cancer.

“Everyone diagnosed with cancer should lead as healthy and active lives as possible.”

The pamper event has become a fixture in the calendar of many local people, and was originally set up as a means of providing extra support in addition to the medical treatment provided to cancer patients and their carers.

The Living with and Beyond Cancer Programme will be providing more regular patient support events once it is fully established.