Daffodil tea proved a blooming good idea
JONATHAN GEDDES
Organisers of a daffodil tea aimed at raising awareness regarding cancer screening in Rutherglen have hailed the event as a success.
Elizabeth McDonald works with the Community Pathways project and has the responsibility of encouraging as many people as possible to take vital cancer tests.
She decided to hold the daffodil tea at the No 18 venue on Farmeloan Road with the aim of encouraging discussion about the screenings.
The day featured a performance by the community acting group Nae Drama, who performed a hard hitting sketch called Check Them Out on the impact cancer can have and the importance of being screened for it.
There was also the chance to simply have a cuppa and a chat too, but the most important factor was letting people know about the illness and how to be screened for it.
Elizabeth explained: “It was a successful dy because there were a lot of people that we spoke to and passed information and leaflets to.
“That is so important - just letting people know about the screenings. If they decide to go to one or not that’s their choice, but at least they have been given the information about it.
“I think everybody needs to make a point of looking after themselves and it’s a service like a dental trip, or something else you’d do automatically.”
Elizabeth is hopeful the tea will have made a difference, and could have life savig consequences for some.
She added: Knowing the info is so important. There was a lot of people coming through the doors saying they hadn’t got it as a priority and it’s my job to change that.
“It was very informal, just a bit of cake and some banter and Nae Drama were great - things like that make people think of the information in a different way. “I also some great help from volunteers who gave up their time - there was Nicole Kane, Deborah Thomson and Chloe McLean, who were all amazing.”
Visit www.nhsinform.scot/ healthy-living/screening for more information on screening services in Scotland.