Volunteer role for cancer survivor
A YOUNG woman who woke up from a cancer operation with no memory or speech is helping older people remember what it’s like to have someone who cares about them.
Alishia-Carin Dwyer, 27, who had pancreatic cancer, is volunteering with Halton Borough Council befriending an elderly lady for a regular telephone chat as part of Sure Start to Later Life.
Having to learn how to speak again she is keen to give back to the community and help as many people as she can along the way.
Alishia-Carin was studying for a degree in forensic science when she first began to feel ill.
She received the devastating diagnosis of pancreatic cancer just five days before her 21st birthday.
Alishia-Carin, who lives in Widnes, with-now fiance Matthew McDonough, 28, still recalls her traumatic moment where she first received her shocking diagnosis.
She said: “I still remember the moment I was diagnosed so clearly. I felt completely numb.
“At first, I refused to believe it, saying ‘No, this isn’t happening to me.
“When the doctors said, ‘I’m so sorry, but it is,’ I just started screaming.
“The reason why I wanted to get involved with Sure Start to Later Life is because especially in times like this we need someone to talk to and personally I don’t like the idea of people feeling lonely.
“I know that being in someone’s shoes to a point of not being able to see friends and family I can show empathy.
“I saw an advert on my Twitter after reading the job description and thought I need to do this! I need for my own sake too to know I am helping someone.
Olive Williams, aged 83, the lady Alishia-Carin befriends, said: “Alishia-Carin is a wonderful lifeline for me. I live on my own my husband is in a care home. I can’t get to see him.
“Alishia-Carin is such a comfort and so understanding. Considering she has all her own issues to contend with she has such patience and makes time for me. I feel she is part of my life now, like a niece I never had and I have never even met her. I look so forward to our calls.
“Everyone should have an Alishia-Carin in their life.”
Alishia-Carin is trying to raise awareness of the disease and has raised money for Pancreatic Cancer Action charity and continues to do so.