Who we are
The Fountain Cancer Support Group is really like an idea whose time has come. Some mutual friends had never discussed their experience of cancer.
Following an announcement about those interested in the possibility of starting a support group, we all gathered together and we all shared our various histories with cancer.
Some were family members who had cared for close relatives, others were cancer patients at various stages of treatment and others were observers of family members’ journey with a cancer diagnosis. Others were just interested in being part of a group to help people, having experienced hardship in other areas of concern in health and family matters.
Having shared our experience, some expressed the loneliness of the journey, while others told of the positive experiences they had had and some had observed the relevance of cancer support groups for their family members.
So we decided to form the Fountain Cancer Support group believing that no one should face cancer alone.
The core aims of the group are:
* To give support, information and advice where appropriate, to patients and their families, carers and friends who experienced any form of cancer.
* To welcome everyone equally and take steps to make the group open and accessible.
* To make sure everyone in the group understands and respects confidentiality.
* To listen to each other and respond sensitively.
* To provide accurate and practical information but not to give medical advice or make recommendations inappropriately.
The journey to this point of launch has been long as we did not want to start something that was not sustainable. We all felt inadequate for the task.
With the help of Macmillan we have received training in the basic skills required in running a group and a start-up grant that have enabled us to come to this juncture.
Following the launch the group will meet on the second Tuesday of the month commencing on Tuesday 14th May in the Fountain Centre Queens Parade.
The Group is opened to all whose lives have been touched by cancer.
The Committee
Chair: Ken Irvine
Vice Chair: Albert Small
Secretary: Susan Small
Treasurer: Stephen McCausland (12 June 2018)
Committee Member: Barbara Allen
Committee Member: Ruth Ball
Committee Member: Maria McCracken (12 June 2018)
Cecil Simpson and Terry Allen Resigned from the committee on health grounds. We thank them for the service they have provided to the committee and the group.
Following an announcement about those interested in the possibility of starting a support group, we all gathered together and we all shared our various histories with cancer.
Some were family members who had cared for close relatives, others were cancer patients at various stages of treatment and others were observers of family members’ journey with a cancer diagnosis. Others were just interested in being part of a group to help people, having experienced hardship in other areas of concern in health and family matters.
Having shared our experience, some expressed the loneliness of the journey, while others told of the positive experiences they had had and some had observed the relevance of cancer support groups for their family members.
So we decided to form the Fountain Cancer Support group believing that no one should face cancer alone.
The core aims of the group are:
* To give support, information and advice where appropriate, to patients and their families, carers and friends who experienced any form of cancer.
* To welcome everyone equally and take steps to make the group open and accessible.
* To make sure everyone in the group understands and respects confidentiality.
* To listen to each other and respond sensitively.
* To provide accurate and practical information but not to give medical advice or make recommendations inappropriately.
The journey to this point of launch has been long as we did not want to start something that was not sustainable. We all felt inadequate for the task.
With the help of Macmillan we have received training in the basic skills required in running a group and a start-up grant that have enabled us to come to this juncture.
Following the launch the group will meet on the second Tuesday of the month commencing on Tuesday 14th May in the Fountain Centre Queens Parade.
The Group is opened to all whose lives have been touched by cancer.
The Committee
Chair: Ken Irvine
Vice Chair: Albert Small
Secretary: Susan Small
Treasurer: Stephen McCausland (12 June 2018)
Committee Member: Barbara Allen
Committee Member: Ruth Ball
Committee Member: Maria McCracken (12 June 2018)
Cecil Simpson and Terry Allen Resigned from the committee on health grounds. We thank them for the service they have provided to the committee and the group.