Focus On Autumn 2013 - Cancer Focus Northern Ireland

the new name for theUlster Cancer FoundationIssue Six: Autumn 2013A Girls’Night In

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’SFOREWORDA bloominggreat successWe are delighted to be working inpartnership with LiLAC during their 10thanniversary year.LiLAC (Life is for Living After Cancer)is based Cookstown, with an outreachoffice and therapy room in Coalisland, andtogether they give vital support to patients,their families and carers in the Mid Ulsterarea.Cancer Focus linked up with the local selfhelpgroup because we wanted to help morepeople in Mid Ulster and LiLAC was in theperfect position to help us do that.Welcome everyone to the autumn edition of Focus On. Cancer Focusis back in full swing after the summer holidays with a whole host ofactivities for you to get involved with.Sadly, this year we have decided not to hold our annual Think Pinkluncheon. This is because the cost of running such a prestigiousevent keeps on rising, and although we have tried to keep the ticketprice down, it has become too expensive for many of our most loyalsupporters.We realise that this will be a great disappointment but we sincerely hopethat you will continue to lend us your valued support, particularly for ourbreast cancer campaign in October.This year we are asking you to invite your friends around for a Girls’ NightIn to raise funds for our important breast cancer research at Queen’sUniversity. See page 3 for more details.Our new season of care services, including Beauty for Life, Zest forLife, yoga and much more, is underway. Some dates and locations arestill being finalised, so be sure to keep in contact for the latest news byemailing leonnemorrison@cancerfocusni.org or calling 028 9066 3281.We’ve worked together to provide servicessuch as Zest for Life, art therapy, supportand information, a weight managementprogramme and a bra-fitting service formastectomy patients.Our new counsellor Terry Deehan is availableevery Tuesday for anyone facing cancer whowould like support, and our family supportworker Michael Gibson is also based theretwo days a week.LiLAC also offers a number ofcomplementary therapies.If you would like to find out more about ourservices email care@cancerfocusni.org orcall 028 9066 3281. You can also contactLiLAC on 028 86766 866 oremail info@lilaccancer.org.Our various support groups are resuming - breast cancer supportin Belfast, Armagh, Coleraine and Downpatrick, the Lavender groupfor younger women in Belfast and the NW prostate support group atAltnagelvin Hospital.We are also holding a Laryngectomy Information Day at Malone GolfClub, Malone Road, Belfast, on September 25 from 9.30am to 2.30pm.For more details about the support groups and information day emaileileencreery@cancerfocusni.org or call 028 9066 328.Thank you again for all your support – together we do so much to helpothers.Roisin FosterCHIEF EXECUTIVEPAGE 2CANCER FOCUS NORTHERN IRELAND

Have a Girls’ Night In for breast cancerCalling all fun-loving women in Northern Ireland - why not host a brilliantGirls’ Night In during October, breast cancer awareness month, to raise vitalfunds for our pioneering research into the disease.Fellow Dr Kienan Savage, which focuses on the preventionand treatment of breast cancer. This locally based researchhas the potential to make a lifesaving difference to so manywomen, not just here but all over the world.Sadly, due to the growing cost of organising big events, weare unable to hold our usual Think Pink Luncheon this year,but we hope that our more affordable Girls’ Night In willappeal to everyone – it’s the perfect excuse to have the girlsaround.Here come the girls – the Cancer Focus team vamp it up for a Girls’ Night InWe’d love each party to raise as much as possible, so howabout asking your friends to donate whatever they wouldusually spend on a night out on the town? The money youand your friends raise is so important, so thank you again.We couldn’t do it without you.Whether it’s a book swapping night, karaoke, make-upevening, movie night or a classic cocktail party, you choosethe theme or activity that you and your friends will enjoy.We’ll send you a Pink Party Pack full of ideas as well asplanning pointers for the perfect night in.The aim of our Girls’ Night In is to have lots of fun andraise stacks of money to fund our cutting-edge researchat Queen’s University Belfast by Cancer Focus ResearchTribute to Iris Colvin OBEWe would like to express our sincere sympathy tothe family, friends and former colleagues of the lateMrs Iris Colvin OBE, who passed away in June.A past President of Cancer Focus, Iris had a longand valued association with us, serving in voluntaryroles for over 35 years. She was instrumental in thecharity’s development from small beginnings andshe saw us grow into Northern Ireland’s leadingcancer charity.Iris ColvinIris’s skill, knowledge and experience helped establish Cancer Focus asa leading charity on a local, national and international stage.A founding member of the Newtownbreda Group, she held her firstever fundraising event in 1977. Iris became a member of the charity’sCouncil in 1989, a position she held for more than 20 years. This wasfollowed by posts as Vice Chairman, Chairman and more recentlyPresident in 2001. She retired in 2009.We’d love to hear about your Girls’ Night In so tweet us @cancerfocusni or join the conversation #girlsnightin. Likeour Facebook and Twitter pages and share your photos andgirly stories there.For more information or to register for a Girls’ Night In PartyPack, please call the Pink Party Gals on 028 9066 3281 oremail fundraising@cancerfocusni.orgBig Diva NightThe Voice finalist Barbara Bryceland,X Factor finalist Kitty Brucknell andIreland’s Top Girl Band Diva Dolls will beon stage at the Stormont Hotel, Belfast,on October 19, from 8pm. Tickets cost£25 and available at the Stormont, call028 9065 1066.In 1994 Iris’s commitment to charity was recognised with an OBE.We will remember her fondly for her friendship, warmth, dedication,sterling work and the countless people she has inspired.Alex-Jay from Diva Dolls and Norman McBride fromHastings Hotels help Rosie Forsythe from CancerFocus to launch For One Night Only – Big DivaNight.For information on our upcoming events log onto www.cancerfocusni.org PAGE 3

Focus On –Louise CareyLouise Carey has recently joinedus as Communications Manager.Louise’s new role involvespromoting and raising awareness ofour campaigns and projects in thecommunity.Recently married, Louise,from Lisburn, was previouslyCommunications Officer withanother cancer charity and hasexcellent experience in the sector.Already enjoying her new role, shesaid: “It’s important to me that Iwork within the voluntary sectorand with so many people affectedby cancer, it’s an extremely worthycause. I’m delighted to be ableto help promote the wonderfulservices that Cancer Focus offers.“I’m especially looking forward toOctober’s Girls’ Night In campaignwhen we are asking local women tohost a night in with their girlfriends.The money raised will be used tofund ground-breaking research intobreast cancer at Queen’s University.What better excuse to have the girlsaround?”Children inNeedThe Metcalfe family from Ballyclarewill be in the spotlight on the BBC’sChildren In Need show on FridayNovember 15. The Metcalfes are in ashort film talking about how much ourFamily Support Service has meant tothem.The family started using our services,including family nights, art therapyand individual family support, aftermum Louise was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Louise is doingwell but along with husband Colin andtheir three boys, (l-r) Jack, Thomasand Eoin, she continues to use ourimportant care and support services.For more details about our free familysupport call Rachel Smith on 0289068 0772 or email rachelsmith@cancerfocusni.org.Art for art’s sakeFree art journaling workshops willtake place at our main care centreat Eglantine Avenue, Belfast,on Tuesdays from 11am to 2pmon September 3, October 29,November 26 and December 17.The workshops help patientsexplore their experiences throughart and writing, and to express howthey are feeling.Anyone who would like to take partis asked to pre-book as there are alimited number of places available.For more information call us on028 9066 3281 or email care@cancerfocusni.orgBeauty spotCongratulationsto our beautytherapist FionaBarr who has beenshortlisted inthe Ulster TatlerPeople of the YearAwards.Fiona BarrWe’ll have to waitfor a special galaevening at Belfast City Hall onSeptember 19 to find out if she haswon the Beauty Therapist category.Good luck Fiona.Fiona provides our Beauty forLife service, helping patients feelbetter about themselves at a verytough time by treating them tomini make-overs, manicures andfacials. She aims to give them amuch-needed confidence boostand quality ‘time out’.If you have an NVQ, Level 2 or 3, inBeauty Therapy, why not volunteerwith us? Experience with patientsis desirable but not essential andyou’ll need to enjoy meeting newpeople. For more details pleasecontact Morag Chambers onmoragchambers@cancerfocusni.org or call 028 9066 3281.Jingle bells allthe wayEarly bird alert! Everyone is warmlyinvited to our second annualChristmas Craft Fair at our EglantineAvenue care services centre inBelfast on Saturday 16th Novemberfrom 10am – 3pm.This year’s fair promises to be biggerand better than before with gifts,crafts, sweets, foods and knickknacks to suit all pockets and agegroups – come early and find thatperfect gift.There’ll also be the usual raffle prizesup for grabs. If you‘re interestedin taking part either as a volunteeror as an exhibitor we’d love tohear from you. Please call MoragChambers on 028 9066 3281 or emailmoragchambers@cancerfocusni.orgPAGE 4For information on our upcoming events log onto www.cancerfocusni.org

Dead CoolWe are launching an exciting new Dead Cool project for 12 to 14 year olds inschools to help young people resist pressure to start smoking.Dead Cool is an extension of the excellent work we’ve been doing in primaryschools - more than 30,000 pupils were members of our Smokebusters Club in2012-13.We’ve created user-friendly packs for teachers which include lesson plansand a DVD. We also have a team of graduate volunteers who we’ve trained togive an introductory talk to schools. For more information email judithwest@cancerfocusni.org or call 028 9066 3281.New call for plain packsWe are bitterly disappointed that the UK Governmenthas backed down from introducing plain packaging forcigarettes. We continue to urge local politicians, whosupport the move, to push for immediate change.We demand laws that will protect our young people fromseductive, highly branded, brightly coloured packs designedto glamorise tobacco.This policy is urgently needed to protect public health and,in particular, children’s health. Every day we delay allows thetobacco industry another opportunity to recruit the nextgeneration of smokers.In the spotlightZoe Stanley (11), from Annahilt, is one of the DeadCool setGPs’ workloads hindercancer preventionGerry McElwee and Roisin Foster, Cancer Focus, with Professor HughMcKenna, Universtiy of Ulster, at the launch of the new reportTargets and rising work pressures in GP surgeries arepreventing the effective delivery of cancer preventioninformation, a new report from healthcare researchers atthe University of Ulster said.Smoking cessation and cervical screening are the mostcommon cancer prevention activities carried out in GPclinics.Weather forecaster Cecilia Daly has made a star appearancein a care in the sun video made by two local students.Cecilia introduces the video, which was made by 19-yearoldsMichael Hart and Gareth Pitman (l), who are creativemedia production students at Northern Regional College inNewtownabbey.The promotional video was showcased at a recentconference, Preventing Skin Cancer – What is Your Role?’,hosted in Belfast by the Public Health Agency (PHA) inpartnership with Cancer Focus.To view the video go to http://cancerfocusni.org/what-wedo/improve-your-health/care-in-the-sun/.For more information check out www.careinthesun.orgThe report, funded by Cancer Focus, found thatconsideration should be given to providing practice nursesin GP surgeries with a more formal cancer prevention role.The study revealed that the link between cancer and thekey risk factors of alcohol consumption, obesity, diet andphysical activity were generally not discussed with patientswhen they visited their doctors unless it related specificallyto their presenting symptoms.Roisin Foster, Cancer Focus, said: “We provide trainingin cancer prevention and early detection for local healthcare professionals and actively seek ways in which we canencourage more training to help in the fight against cancer.”A number of recommendations were made and the fullreport can be read on the Media section of our website,www.cancerfocusni.orgFor information on our upcoming events log onto www.cancerfocusni.org PAGE 5

Danske Bankboosts Family SupportAn amazing £383,000 has been raised by Danske Bankstaff and customers for us since January 2011 – and thebank is aiming to hit a target of £400,000 by the end ofthe year.Every penny raised goes towards our Family SupportService. The money raised so far has enabled this vitalservice to grow and help even more children and youngpeople where a parent or grandparent has cancer.Joyce Savage, Head of Appeals and Marketing, said: “Wewould just like to say a big thank you to everyone whohas donated to numerous fundraising events.“In the last year the number of families we were able tohelp rose from 78 to 84 and the demand for our one-tooneservice has risen by 30%. We have also been able toemploy an extra member of staff to help children in theMid Ulster area.”Model pupilsfocus on fitnessCongratulations to Model Primary School from Derry/Londonderry (pictured) who won the 2013 Lidl Fit Factorcompetition, run in partnership with Cancer Focus, andscooped the top prize of £4,000 for sports equipment.Thousands of pupils across Northern Ireland took partin Fit Factor - a free, fun two week project for P3 and 4pupils promoting health and happiness.St Naile’s, Fermanagh, clinched second place winning£3,000. Springhill PS, Belfast, were third netting £2,000and St Patrick’s, Dungannon, were runners-up andreceived £1,000.You too could win an excellent prize for your school bydesigning a banner for Fit Factor 2014. To enrol pleasecall Caroline (028 9066 0735), Danielle (028 9066 0730),or email schools@cancerfocusni.orgJoyce Savage, Cancer Focus, congratulates Tony Wilcox (l) and IvanMcMinn, from Danske Bank, on the bank’s impressive fundraisingeffortsBT leads the wayBT staff are gearing up to take part in the firstever Deep RiverRock Belfast City Half Marathonand Fun Run which takes place on September 22.Cancer Focus is the official charity for the eventand we’re delighted that BT is on track with thisimportant fundraising event to raise muchneededcash for our Men’s Health Campaign.Peter Morris, BT, said: “BT has been very active inits support for Cancer Focus and the good workthat it does. It’s particularly important to us thatthe money we raise for charity is spent locallyand that’s why we’re encouraging our staff tosign up for either the half marathon or the funrun.”Peter Morris from BT, Kirsty Thompson, CancerFocus, and our healthy mascot Genevieve urgeeveryone to join in the half marathon and fun runThe closing date for entries is September 8, so please sign up now at www.belfastcitymarathon.com. For more details contact kirstythompson@cancerfocusni.org or call 028 9066 3281. To make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/cancerfocusbelfastmarathonVolunteersWe urgently needvolunteers to help outat the half marathon.Please help us makethis a huge success bycheering on the runners,serving at water stationsand helping at the finishline. To find out more callMorag on 028 9066 3281 oremail moragchambers@cancerfocusni.org.PAGE 6For information on our upcoming events log onto www.cancerfocusni.org

FOCUS ON FUNDRAISING/CHEQUE PRESENTATIONSHocus Pocusfor Cancer FocusKids and parents, why not get your primary school to takepart in Hocus Pocus this Halloween?This frightfully freaky competition is a great way to helpraise vital funds for our Family Support Service, which helpschildren when an important adult gets cancer.Pupils have to colour in or design a fun – or plain scary -Halloween costume for our healthy goat Genevieve. HeidiWest and Patrick Smith (above) are already in on the action.A selection of entries will be put on show in your local Lidl store and winners will get a fantastic prize, sponsored by Lidl.Closing date is Friday 25th October. For more details contact Rosie or Suzi on 028 9066 3281 oremail fundraising@cancerfocusni.orgTen marathon daysColeraine men Peter Ferris MBE (left) and Harold Reilly have completed an amazingten marathons in ten days to raise much-needed cash for us. The marathon menclocked up their miles running up and down Stormont’s iconic hill. Showing theirsupport are Caroline McNelis and Suzi McIlwain from Cancer Focus. If you’d like tosupport them visit www.justgiving.com/10marathonsHopping greatsuccessThank you to the organisers of thepopular annual cycling event FROG,which takes cyclists through theGlens of Antrim. The event raiseda massive £16,593 for us, whichwas handed over to communityfundraiser Suzi McIlwain. The eventhas raised nearly £77k for localcancer charities to date.A foottappingtotalThanks also go to the Smyth familywho organised their annual barndance in Dungiven and raised£13,600, bringing the total raisedat the foot-tapping event overthe past five years to an amazing£53,920.Firing on allcylindersThe Queens of Speed from BallymenaRaceway organised and took part inan all pink stock car rally event andraised an outstanding £6,313. Themagnificent team is pictured handingover their cheque to communityfundraiser Rosie Forsythe.The Queens of Speed at Ballymena RacewayFor information on our upcoming events log onto www.cancerfocusni.org PAGE 7

FUNDRAISING THANK YOUSTerri and Lorraine McCready,Newtownards, raised £262 for Think Pink- they donated their hair to be made intowigs for children with cancer and alopeciaMichael King organised the Donard Danderraising £4,500. The climb has raised morethan £100,000 over the years in memory ofhis son DarrenJMK Solicitors, Belfast, raised £248 at acoffee morningEleanor Leeman celebrated her 70thbirthday - she is 30 years free from cancer– and donated £718 in lieu of birthday giftsBrenda Torrens treated 40 ladies to lunchat her home and raised £1,106Barbara Matthews and Billy and MargaretShaw held a cabaret night at theBurrendale Hotel, Newcastle, raising£2,005Tesco employee David Graham’ssponsored sky dive raised £174The staff and customers at Asda,Downpatrick, raised £270 at a coffeemorning and bake saleCorey Harbinson, Lismore ComprehensiveCollege, Craigavon, raised £700 at charitynight and a school bakeA team of Queen’s University employeesran the Belfast marathon raising £1,008The Linfield Supports Club, Shankill, raised£2,320 at various fundraising eventsincluding a bank holiday discoThe Hudson Hornets ran the Belfastmarathon relay and raised £359Doran Consulting raised £800 running theBelfast marathon relayGrace McNeill, Larne, raised £637 for ThinkPink by walking in ten towns over two daysand at her wedding vow renewalMartin McCourt, Newtownabbey, raised£726 running Larne half marathonThe Smyth and Linden families ran relaysin the Belfast marathon and raised £2,255Fred J Malcolm Jewellers, Lisburn Road,Belfast, raised £151 cleaning ringsBarbara and Andy Hill, Belfast, donated£275 in lieu of birthday giftsChris Brown organised the Beggs andPartners 5-a-side football tournament andraised £1,130North Down Council chose us as a Charityof the Year and donated £2,019Southern Regional College students heldan Easter coffee morning and cake saleraising £540Richard McCormick shaved his head inmemory of his auntie Anne Frazer (neeEmerson), who died from ovarian cancer,raising £600All Saints Crossdernott Parish BowlingClub raised £1,500 at a tournamentThe Cunningham family held a Night at theRaces in memory of Austin Cunninghamraising £1,100 for prostate cancerresearchDromore Cancer Focus Group raised£3,000 through various fundraisingactivities in the last yearCarryduff Pharmacy raised £1,004 at atable quiz and sparkly day for the LittleStars appealUPCOMING EVENTSDeep RiverRockBelfast City Half Marathon and Fun Run22 September 2013Unite and Bike (Open) Challenge5-13 October 2013Glens of Antrim Trek27 April 2014SPORTS EVENTS2013Great North Run4-16 SeptemberNew York Marathon3 November2014Winter Ben Nevis6-9 MarchInca Trail Challenge Trek10-24 AugustKilimanjaro Challenge Trek13-24 OctoberFor more information please contactSarah on 028 9068 0765 oremail sarahatcheson@cancerfocusni.orgor Neill on 028 9068 0758,neillgrainger@cancerfocusni.org.The cycle will take place over 2 days,departing from Dromore on Saturday24th August 2013 arriving in Downings,Co Donegal. We still stay overnight andcycle back to Dromore on Sunday 25thAugust 2013.With some ground work covered athome before the trip you will be morethan capable of achieving the distancecovered each day and the group spirit willcertainly keep you going!!Out en route everyone is accompaniedby our support vehicles so there is neverany danger of being left behind and justto reiterate this is certainly not a race.Plenty of water stops are provided toensure your good health along the routeas we cycle from Dromore to the ShoreFor information on our upcoming events log ontowww.cancerfocusni.orgFollow us onPAGE 8For information on our upcoming events log onto www.cancerfocusni.org