Wellbeing Fair is a big hit with cancer patients

NEARLY 300 cancer patients and their carers enjoyed live music, food and pampering sessions at the Trusts’s annual Cancer Wellbeing Fair in May 2016.

The event, organised by the team Cancer Services at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, gave local people living with a cancer diagnosis access to wellbeing therapies, advice and information.

Highlights included pampering sessions where patients and their carers enjoyed free beauty therapies and learned about the benefits of relaxing meditation. Music came from Birmingham Community Gospel Choir, the City of Birmingham Brass Band and Indigo Heart, whose band members are drawn from Cardiology.

The Trust’s Cancer Services Manager, Jenny Donovan, said: “Being diagnosed with cancer is the start of a challenging journey for the patient, their family and friends.

“That’s why Cancer Services developed the annual Cancer Wellbeing Fair for all the patients and carers to celebrate the journey they’ve been on or are going through”.

This year’s fair was supported by Trust staff and more than a hundred volunteers.  Local businesses – including Tesco West Bromwich and Boots – provided beauty services and pampering sessions.

Patient Marlene Hancock said: “The event was lovely. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the day. Everyone was very nice and the therapies really helped me relax”.

Volunteer and beauty therapist Shelane Harriott, said: “I’ve never done anything like this before and felt really happy to be here. It’s such a wonderful feeling to know that a small therapy session can make a great difference to cancer patients’ wellbeing”.

Jenny Donavan said: “This annual event helps people living with cancer and their families take control and participate in their recovery.

“We’d like to say thank you to all of our volunteers and the organisations who came to and support us. They’ve all made a difference to our patients and their carers”.