Liverpool Sunflowers is partnering with Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust (LCH) and other local health partners to support greater breast care awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.
Liverpool Sunflowers, Big Love Sista, Community Health Ambassador Team (CHAT) and Boots the Chemist, will be jointly hosting a Ladies Pamper Event for women who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and their friends, family or supporters.
The event is taking place on Thursday 30th October between 4.00pm – 8.00pm at the NHS Health Information Centre on Liverpool’s Hanover Street and is aimed at anyone affected by a breast cancer diagnosis, including cancer patients, their family or friends.
The Pamper Event will offer a range of ‘feel good’ activities including free manicures, makeovers, mini massages, pinked themed cakes and refreshments, goodie bags, and an art exhibition featuring work created by cancer survivors as part of an art therapy project.
The event will also provide an opportunity for anyone currently living with breast cancer to talk to survivors about their journey towards recovery, and to find out more about some of the free, local support services available to them in Liverpool.
Joan Elmer, Chief Executive for the Merseyside cancer support charity Liverpool Sunflowers, and a breast cancer survivor herself explains,
“Any cancer diagnosis can be absolutely devastating for individuals and their families, but during Breast Cancer Awareness Month we want to let anyone currently going through this experience know that they don’t need to cope alone. ”
“Connecting with others and sharing our experiences at events like this can help to build a strong community in the fight against cancer, and this is particularly important here in Liverpool, where we still have some of the highest rates for cancer in the UK.”
In addition, the Trust’s Health Promotion team will be hosting two Breast Cancer Awareness Drop-in Sessions on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th October between 12.00 – 4.00pm at the new NHS Health Information Centre on Hanover Street. These sessions will offer short talks on being breast aware, UV scanning, and on-the-spot advice from health professionals.
There will also be two further Breast Cancer Advice Sessions taking place with NHS health advisors at Boots in Clayton Square on Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th October between 11.00am – 1.00pm offering free information and advice to shoppers and passers by.
Maureen Sayer, Health Promotion Specialist for Liverpool Community Health adds:
“During Breast Cancer Awareness Month many of our activities will also focus on reminding women how to spot the early signs of breast cancer, in order to give them the very best possible chance of beating the illness. ”
“Although most breast cancer occurs in women over the age of 50, this October we really want to remind women of all ages to be breast aware, to take good care of their breasts, and to get into the habit of checking them regularly so that they can spot any unusual changes early.”
For more information on breast cancer awareness, you can also drop into the NHS Health Information Centre on Hanover Street to speak to an advisor between 10am – 4pm Monday to Fridays, and some weekends.
Or for further support for anyone who has recently received a cancer diagnosis, please contact Liverpool Sunflowers on: 0151 726 8934 or visit: www.liverpoolsunflowers.com