Oh my.......

Well, what can we say other than a huge "thank you" to all of you who came today. There was well over a hundred attendees and we cannot tell you how lovely it was to see you.

We had some really exceptional speakers today who talked about travelling with a stoma, plus an update on the latest techniques in surgery, both of which were extremely interesting and informative talks. As always, their was a question and answer session with professionals made up from our local colorectal cancer team, which was again a lively session with some lovely ad-libbing from our very own chairman of the support group.

We also are delighted to tell you about the premiere of a DVD for newly diagnosed patients which has been made by the Trust in conjunction with Clinton Rogers (yes, the man on the telly) to help as you are diagnosed and need to know what is happening; it features real patients who have been there too, who kindly agreed to help in the making of such a thing possible; thank you.This was very well received and, indeed, we were able to introduce some of the stars of the DVD who attended today. Hollywood beckons!

Thank you also to Mr Colin Drummond, Chairman of Taunton & Somerset NHS Trust who has once again attended the event and stayed for the day with us, for the second year running. This really is very generous of you and is truly appreciated. Thank you also to our local Conservative MP, Rebecca Pow, for popping in to see us.

We enjoyed a very nice lunch provided by the Somerset Cricket Ground which allowed plenty of opportunity for us to mingle and catch up with you all, such a delightful part of the day.

We would like to take the time too, to say, a HUGE thank you to the couple who raised in excess of £1000 to donate to the group from the combined celebration for their respective milestone birthdays (both 21 again, of course!). This was a very generous gesture to make and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We also received an update on the Smarty Pants tubes that were introduced at last year's event. These have raised in excess of £700 pounds over the year, thank you. Once again there was a plentiful supply of tubes to be emptied of their original contents, to take away to continue this excellent idea for fundraising.

As we get to grips with technology we are hoping to be able to add presentations etc to the blog and the website, our sister presence on the net, so please keep visiting to be updated.