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Helping people living with cancer

Posted onPosted on 12th Oct

A Mansfield cancer survivor is leading a Macmillan volunteer scheme that is being expanded across Nottinghamshire.

The initiative has already transformed life for more than 730 people living with cancer in the area.

Now, led by Kerry Brealey (pictured), in partnership with Self Help UK, the Macmillan Beyond Diagnosis Project is providing practical and emotional support in the home to more local people living with cancer.

Thanks to additional funding from Macmillan, Kerry along with two new volunteer co-ordinators and around 200 trained volunteers, are able to provide support to every person living with cancer in Nottinghamshire who needs it.

Kerry, 40, was diagnosed with cervical cancer when she was 25 and told she could never have children — news she has since beaten by having a baby son.

The cancer was treated successfully, but she battled depression and anxiety for several years afterwards.

She said: “To be told I had cancer at 25 was devastating.

“Overnight my husband and I went from enjoying life as 25-year-olds to making life and death decisions.

“After the surgery I became really depressed and very anxious. I would worry about every appointment. I mostly worried about the cancer coming back.”

Kerry, then a family support worker, didn’t receive any kind of psychological support after she was diagnosed with cancer.

The experience drove her to apply for the job as a Macmillan professional.

“After going through cancer, I always felt I wanted to make a difference somewhere,” she said.

“I didn’t have a supportive experience and it hasn’t been easy.

“I had to find my own support network of people. It’s hard, particularly for family members.

“My husband struggled. He was never offered any support and yet he had to pay all the bills, keep his job and care for me.

“I thought there must be something that we can offer.”

The Macmillan Beyond Diagnosis scheme matches people living with cancer to trained volunteers with similar backgrounds and interests.

Support is delivered on an ongoing or one-off basis, and can range from accompanying patients to support groups or appointments, to assisting with light housework and other tasks.

The service volunteers also provide companionship to help combat feelings of isolation.

Kerry continued: “I feel passionate about people getting the right support at the right time. It can be difficult to talk to family members about how you’re feeling as you don’t want to burden them when they’re already doing so much.

“Our volunteers are there to offer a bit of extra help and support, both to the person diagnosed with cancer and their loved ones.”

Mandy Edwards, Macmillan quality lead for Nottinghamshire, said: “The Macmillan Beyond Diagnosis Project is about helping people to find their best way through from the moment of diagnosis so they can live life as fully as they can.

“The project has gone from strength to strength, having started three years ago with a handful of volunteers.

“It has now grown to a county wide project that is having a real impact on the lives of hundreds of people living with cancer.”

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for Macmillan Beyond Diagnosis or would like to receive support, contact Kerry on 07958297919, email [email protected] or visit www.selfhelp.org.uk/beyonddiagnosis