Cancer survivor’s support group plan

Nicola Craffey . . . excited at setting up support group

CANCER survivor Nicola Craffey is poised to set up a support group to help other people facing the same ordeal.

Nicola will announce her plans for the group — the first of its kind in the region — at this weekend’s “Let’s Meet 2010” in Manchester.

Tomorrow’s event is run by London-based charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, which will train Nicola this autumn ahead of the group forming in the New Year.

The 30-year-old, of Britannia Avenue, Shaw, underwent a radical hysterectomy, with chemotherapy and radiotherapy after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2008.

She said: “I have had a very difficult two-and-a-half years.

“I am now in remission and doing amazingly well, but it has left me with lymphoedema in my leg, which means there is a lot of fluid there.

“One thing I found was that there was nothing in Manchester like Jo’s Trust, so I decided to use my experience to set up a support group.

“When you have cancer it’s very clinical and very medical, and the last thing you want is to go into a room full of health professionals and feel intimidated.

“I have been so desperate going through treatment and since.

“My Macmillan nurse was fantastic but I wanted to talk on the phone or sit down and have a brew with someone near by who has been through what I have been through, to get reliable information, even to have a laugh, but there was nothing. Now there will be.”

Nicola explained: “This group will give people the chance to have a coffee and a chat, and see proof, in people like me, that it doesn’t always end in tragedy.

“It will be a chance for women to make friendships.

“The first group will be in the centre of Manchester, and meet once a month.

“I will just see how it goes and adapt it to what people want and need.

“It’s very exciting, I am 100 per cent sure it will be a success, and the next group I start will be in Oldham.”

Details of the support group will be posted on the Jo’s Trust website when the dates and times for meetings have been agreed.

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to women and those close to them who are affected by cervical abnormalities or cervical cancer.

Log on to the website at www.jostrust.org.uk  for more information.