Maidstone

MAIDSTONE LYMPHOMA SUPPORT GROUP

ABOUT THE GROUP:
This group was formed in the summer of 2007 because there wasn’t one in the area. We have now met four times including a lunchtime get-together just after Christmas.  Attendance has been around 20 each time, but we are always keen to have more members.

Present members are either patients, family members or friends. We try to get speakers on a variety of subjects and so far have had a consultant haemato-oncologist and a retired counsellor.  At our next meeting on 6th March the speaker will be a consultant medical oncologist, who plans at present to talk about 'understanding your blood count' and 'unknown side effects after treatment'.

We may meet up in the summer for a picnic, but this will need to be discussed further at the next meeting. Contributions and suggestions are welcomed from the group, particularly for future speakers.

The emphasis at our meetings is the sharing of experiences and general support, with the speaker providing a more expert viewpoint.  Questions are always very welcome and there is a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

We make no charge at present as the venue is free, but intend to vote on bringing in a small charge for coffee and any future expenses.

MEETING DATES:
11 September: Pat and Shirley are holding a Great British Tea Break from 12 noon - 6pm.  If you’d like to find out more about the event, including details of the venue, please contact Pat by emailing quantika@nildram.co.uk.
16 September
18 November

Meetings are held from 7:30pm to 9:00pm

MEETING LOCATION:
We will be meeting for the foreseeable future in the dining room of the Post Graduate Centre at Maidstone Hospital.

FURTHER INFORMATION:
We appreciate that it may be daunting for new people to attend a meeting for the first time, particularly if they have had a recent diagnosis.  If you would like to chat to one of the group before you visit, please feel free to contact one of the members listed below:-

Shirley
01732 453236
shirley.lloyd@7oaks.net

Pat
01732 883255
quantika@nildram.co.uk

Read our ‘In Touch’ newsletter for our support groups by clicking here.