Keeping Abreast Leicester Celebrates 10th Anniversary
There was plenty of pink on show when the Keeping Abreast Leicester Support Group celebrated their 10th anniversary at the Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Social Club on Friday 27th March.
Fuchsia pink balloons, pink flowers, pink clothes – all in honour of this major milestone for the local Support Group that helps those considering, planning and going through breast reconstruction after a cancer diagnosis or the discovery of a hereditary breast cancer gene.
When the Support Group meets each month at the Sue Young Cancer Centre in central Leicester, the Keeping Abreast Volunteers wear their pink Keeping Abreast T-shirts to show that they are there to support others, and so at the 10th birthday celebrations there was a lot of the charity’s chosen colour in evidence, from a pink and white balloon arch, to celebration cakes, bunting and napkins to commemorate the special occasion.
Besides a buffet and a bar, the evening included a series of speeches by Claire Porter and Megan Sweeney, both Breast Cancer Reconstruction Nurses, as well as by Consultant Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, Nakul Patel, all of whom work at Leicester’s Royal Infirmary Hospital. Carolyn Atkins, Support & Volunteer Officer from Keeping Abreast’s Head Office in Norwich, also gave a short speech to thank everyone involved in the Keeping Abreast Leicester Support Group, from the fantastic medical staff to the team of dedicated volunteers as well as the friends, families, fundraisers and others who all devote their time to the cause. Deb Harrison, Lead Volunteer, also spoke on the night and there were lots of other Keeping Abreast volunteers at the party too, along with other staff from Leicester’s Royal Infirmary and Glenfield Hospitals.
The key volunteers and medical team received a gift and a pretty pink rose pot plant to thank them for their support over the years, and there were also lots of photos of past awareness, support and fundraising events, as well as an extensive raffle which raised over £500. The celebrations took place from 7pm until nearly midnight and a great time was had by all.
Formed back in 2016, the Keeping Abreast Leicester Support Group was started by Claire Porter, Advance Practice Lead, and Megan Sweeney, Burns & Plastics Specialist Sister, from the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, along with Deb Harrison, a breast cancer reconstruction patient. They recognised the need for women, both newly diagnosed with breast cancer and facing the possibility of mastectomy, and also women further down the line who are considering reconstructive surgery, to be able to meet and talk to other women who have been through similar experiences. This allows them to make an informed choice about whether or not to proceed with breast reconstruction.
At the monthly Keeping Abreast Leicester Support Groups, those facing reconstruction can talk to the volunteers, many of whom have had reconstructive surgery themselves, and they also have the chance to attend the ‘Show & See’ sessions where volunteers show off the results of their surgery, so that they can see what reconstructed breasts really look like. They also have the opportunity to ask questions about surgery and recovery, which can allay fears about their own breast reconstruction journeys.