Survivors of cancer lend their support

The annual Race for Life raises vital funds against breast cancer. In the run-up to this year’s event, LOUISE HALE met a breast cancer support group in Basingstoke whose members are regulars at the event.


One of the first things that strike you when you enter the Breast Cancer Self Help Group monthly meeting is that every single one of the women present oozes a positive demeanour.
They are warm, energised and direct. Their attitude, no doubt is born out of the emotional marathon they experienced after being told they had breast cancer.
The venue is The ARK, at Basingstoke hospital: the duration, two hours. Over the course of that time, no topic or thought is left unturned.
The room is buzzing and hot on the lips of all 22 women is the 2004 Race For Life – the 5 km run or walk that women in Basingstoke will be undertaking on Wednesday, June 23, to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.
I sit and listen as, one by one, the women offer up their views and experiences.
June Oates, 56, of Dummer said: “Breast cancer is a very emotionally draining illness. We need groups like this for support. It makes it easier knowing you are not on your own.”
The 15-month-old group, which is the first of its kind in Basingstoke, is a vital forum for those who want to talk, and for those who just wish to listen.
The meetings are simple but effective and all the ladies agree that it’s crucial for the future of cancer research to hear about survivors.
Angela Bennett, 60, one of the founders of the group, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. She said: “The work we do now will help save women in the future. It will really make a difference”.
Amid the chatter, it comes to light that wedding anniversary celebrations will also be had at the starting line.
Janella Berry, 47. of Baird Avenue, South Ham, will be running the race on her silver anniversary, with their three daughters.
Every one of the women at the group has had either a mastectomy, the removal of a breast, or lumpectomy, the removal of a tumour. There is a general consensus that the group has built a bond that is unbreakable.
Nikki Sadler, 51, of Wooton St Lawrence, said: “I only wish I had known about this group at the time of my diagnosis, it’s uplifting”.
“As the illness grows, everybody knows somebody that has been touched by breast cancer and everybody needs somebody for support”.
Last year, the group raised more that £2500 from sponsorship for taking part in Race for Life, and they are all hoping to top that sum this year.
This year’s race takes place at the Down Grange sports complex. To register, call 08705 134314 or visit www.raceforlife.org

Reproduced by kind permission of the Basingstoke Gazette and www.thisisbasingstoke.co.uk