JACI SINGS OUT FOR OTHER PATIENTS
AGRANDMOTHER with terminal cancer is helping to launch a choir for people with life-limiting illnesses. Jaci Thomas, below, from Cwmbran, is part of a project being led by St David’s Foundation Hospice Care in Newport to bring together patients, carers and their families, and make music. Jaci, a singer and retired catering manager, was diagnosed with breast cancer 13 years ago.
Following courses of chemotherapy she recovered but she and her family received more bad news two years ago when she learnt the cancer had returned. The illness has now spread to her bones, and she has been told there is no treatment for her condition.
But inspirational Jaci, 63, whose daughter is a musician, said music has played a “huge part” in her life.
She explained: “Since I became ill, I didn’t have the stamina or the confidence to do much.
“But music has helped me so much. I don’t think people understand how therapeutic it can be. It releases endorphins and brings such joy to people’s faces.”
She said when the idea of starting a choir was put to her with her musical background, there was no way she could say no.
She added: “I’m looking for another purpose for me to work on and I think it’s absolutely wonderful for them to have started this, and my friends and family are going to be joining in too.”
Since her first diagnosis, Jaci has taken part in various fundraising events, including a parachute jump, and has helped raise almost £10,000.
She said: “I’m a very positive person.”
When asked what she puts that positivity down to, she replied: “I have great faith in God and the most wonderful husband, Ralph, that any woman could wish for. He’s my rock and is so supportive in everything I do My family have been amazing too. They visit me and help me as much as they can. It makes me feel very proud and very humble with their generosity.”
The search for the choir was launched by St David’s Foundation Hospice thanks to cash received from the National Lottery’s Big Lottery Fund.
They received £4,900 to set up the choir for patients with life-limiting illness and their families and carers, and are also building a new hospice in Newport thanks to a £500,000 “People and Places” grant.
.“It will be called Hospice Harmony, and Angela Canellas, from the hospice, said: “We have longed to start a choir for our patients and their families and loved ones for many years.
“We have been lucky enough to be awarded this funding by the Big Lottery.”
The choir has so far recruited 17 members, and organisers say they are aiming for 40.
Anyone interested in joining can contact Angela Canellas on 01633 851039.