By Lucy French | Fundraising Director
Breast cancer accounts for one in three newly-diagnosed cases of cancer in women in the UK.
Our free programme of care can make such a difference to our Visitors’ health and wellbeing. We are extremely grateful to all our supporters for helping us to do this.
Creative and hands-on workshops at our Havens
We are delighted that several new workshops that offer our Visitors a chance to explore their creative side have been so well-received. In addition to expressive arts, Visitors can also try journal writing and singing, both of which offer a therapeutic outlet to build wellbeing during times of transition and crisis.
Other workshops on offer include: Tired But Wired - Creating Optimal Sleep, Food as Medicine, Wellness Days, Introduction to Emotional Freedom Technique, Introduction to Aromatherapy and Simple Meditation. All of these offer guidance on sustaining and strengthening general health and wellbeing.
Practical advice to help Visitors look and feel better
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can have a dramatic impact on appearance and body image. Our Havens offer regular sessions that offer help and guidance with regard to skincare, beauty and make-up techniques. We also hold regular sessions to support those Visitors who are coping with hair loss, exploring the options available and offering guidance on choosing and fitting wigs. Our bra clinics offer specialised fitting and information on post operative lingerie and mastectomy swimwear. This kind of expert advice can make all the difference to the way our Visitors feel and can help to support their recovery.
“I was prepared to lose my hair, but I was still shocked when it happened. I wasn’t the confident girl everyone was used to. I felt unattractive and I didn’t want to look in the mirror, but The Haven was amazing. They gave me support and advice as well as pampering sessions.” Sonya, now 31
A personal perspective: Kristin’s story
“Life couldn’t have been better before I was diagnosed with cancer. We had sold our house and were just about to move to the country. I had two boys aged two and four who were full of fun. The tears only started to flow when I was given a picture book to help explain to children what is happening to mummy. My only thought was,’ I want to live to see my little boys grow up.’
I set rules about how I wanted to deal with it: no pussyfooting around and laughter as my medicine. Being bald was very easy because it was the summer and the kids had fun - they painted my head and stuck things to it. Now that my hair’s grown back short and curly I’m finding that harder to deal with!
The dream team at The Haven helped from my head to my toes. The counsellor there helped my husband deal with my cancer, I got marvellous nutritional advice and recipes, and I am sure acupuncture stopped the side effects of the chemotherapy for me. I still come to The Haven for rest and recuperation, and am having massage, which is helping me to reconnect to my body.
Now life is getting back on track. I’m 47 now and we’ve finally made our dream move to a village in Kent. And despite the bad hair we’re all still laughing.”
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