Help was there when I needed it the most
I’M a dedicated supporter of St Ann’s Hospice and as a patient who goes there regularly for therapy I have made life-long friendships.
I want to raise as much awareness as I can about the incredible support and care they give to everyone who uses their services.
In 1981 my father died at St Ann’s Hospice so I was aware of them from an early age.
My sister later died with breast cancer and I have been aware since that it runs in my family.
In August 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, but I’ve always been a very positive person so I didn’t lose faith - I just continued to look forward.
I am now in remission from cancer but will always be a patient at St Ann’s Hospice because of the lymphoedema I have.
St Ann’s were incredibly quick to take me as a patient, within two weeks of enquiring I had an assessment and began physiotherapy.
When I first arrived at the hospice I was not mentally well, unable to walk and not doing much day to day.
I cannot thank St Ann’s Hospice enough for helping me at the most important time that I needed them, they are a big part of my life.
I was also put forward to have counselling that has helped me tremendously.
I spoke to Patrick Clark, the Senior Counsellor, over zoom and on calls and after 18 months I am a changed woman.
I know my lymphedema won’t go away and I’ll always be a patient at St Ann’s Hospice, so I want to raise money to show others the help and support they’ve given me.
Over the past 12 months I have been raising money in my hometown Marple to donate to the hospice.
My husband and I have held coffee mornings, received support from other groups we are a part of, and have engaged our local community to help us.
We were able to reach £500 to donate at the start of the year and we hope to raise another £500 this time next year!
The aftercare that I have received from St Ann’s Hospice has been second to none, and I can’t thank them enough.
In particular, Lisa an Assistant Practitioner from the Lymphoedema clinic has become a friend that I’ll never not be close to.
Lisa has made my life bearable, and she means so much to me, we have become so close I have made a life-long friend.
I want to raise awareness that a hospice is not just a place that people come to die.
I can’t emphasise enough how lovely a place it is and how it has changed my life for the better.