Monday 24 September 2018

Annual Autumn Event 2018

Well, what a great day we had on Saturday for our Annual Autum Event. A huge thank you to all of you that attended and made it such a great day. Our Chairman gave us an update on the last year's activities and plans for the coming year, which included a report from our Treasurer. This was followed by a talk from Maggie Crowe, a representative from Macmillan who outlined the way in which they support your local Trust in a large variety of ways; Siobhan Linsey, Outreach Librarian "Dr Google & Health Information on the internet" - a fascinating talk on how to use the internet safely. This was then followed by Dr Mike Galli on "The GP's Perspective" of a cancer diagnosis.
All three were really interesting talks and we thank them for giving their time and professional experience freely. A question and Answer session followed with questions on a variety of topics raised by the audience for the panel made up of the three speakers and professionals from your local Trust. 

Over a rather delicious lunch that was accompanied by wine, the raffle was drawn with prizes ranging from fine champagne, vouchers for Mole Valley Farmers, Pynes of Somerset (Butchers), and luxury foodstuffs to name but a few. Thank you particularly to Pynes of Somerset and Mole Valley Farmers for their contributions to the raffle prizes. We will update you on the final figures for the raffle and donations once received from our Treasurer.

Once again it was really lovely to see so many of you and hear how you are doing, thank you.
Plus a huge thank you to those of you who have volunteered to become members of the committee; it is not an onerous undertaking but a charity really needs a core of people to keep it going and for that reason we are delighted that a number of people have agreed to join us which means we can now plan ahead for the coming year with surety.


Saturday 17 March 2018

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and we just wanted to remind you. Why? Well, because awareness saves lives, as many of you will know. 
So if you have symptoms, see your GP, don't be shy or worried, just do it. 
If you are 55, you will at some point receive a charming invite to undergo a one off flexible sigmoidoscopy here in Somerset - do take up the offer; it could save your life.
Lastly, if you are over the age of sixty, and a "poo kit" lands on your door mat courtesy of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, please do it; it could save your life.

The message we aim to give is, don't sit on your butt, be proactive and actively try to save your own life. It has taken so long to get Bowel Cancer screening that it is such a shame so many people ignore it - and for many, that can be fatal. 1 in 3 people are diagnosed with cancer, try not to let that be you.


We have been researching how other countries raise awareness. We were really delighted to see that Australians have Red Apple Day - clearly, apples are big in relation to bowels! They have a great slogan "Preventable, Treatable, Beatable" which should become a mission statement for us too.

So firstly, please, please do the screening, and secondly, raise awareness. You can raise awareness in many ways, such as;
* Taking part in Stand Up To Cancer Events - the proceeds of which go to research in to Cancer.      Take a look at the link below to see how to get involved
https://www.standuptocancer.org.uk/
* If you have had Bowel Cancer, allay people's fears about tests and encourage them to just get it done

* Support us to support you - we are a small Bowel Cancer awareness group compared to our Australian cousins but no less passionate about raising awareness, treating Bowel Cancer and beating Bowel Cancer.
Be proactive - Get screened, get active, eat well, laugh, live. Many don't