DOUGLAS Rotary Club is helping to spearhead an Island campaign to stop cancer sufferers getting ‘down in the mouth’.
The idea is the joint brainchild of Rotarian John Beckett (pictured with Club President-Elect Ann Reynolds) and Noble’s Hospital ENT department, who have set up a patient-led group for those suffering from tonsillar, mouth, throat, nose, thyroid, oropharyngeal, or any head or neck cancer.
Known as ‘The Manx Swallows’, the group hopes to support not only cancer sufferers but affected carers and families.
As John Becket said: ‘The journey from diagnosis through treatment and recovery can be very tough. It is a real roller-coaster ride and only those who have had head or neck cancer know what it is like.’
In fact, when asked about the one thing that might have helped, all members of The Manx Swallows responded: ‘someone to talk to who knows what it is like because they have been there, too.’
Now, thanks to sponsorship of the group by the Rotary Club of Douglas, the idea has become a reality and social meetings are being held every few months to share experiences and best practice.
If you would like more information about The Manx Swallows please contact John Beckett at johnbeckett@manx.net (phone 827723 or 498831) or Doreen Wilkinson, ENT Nurse Specialist, Noble’s Hospital, at doreen.wilkinson@gov.im (phone 650229).
To find out more about the Rotary Club of Douglas please contact Clare Faulds at faulds.clare@gmail.com or phone 842045.
Photo - Rotarian John Beckett with Rotary Club of Douglas President-Elect Ann Reynolds.
