"The day I started coming to
the Centre, I loved it. There is
a very homely atmosphere.
They think very realistically. I
am so thankful to them"

Member of Umeed

Asian Womens Group

Sami was two when his dad died. He was
seven when diagnosed with leukaemia. it was
a difficult time for both Sami - and his mum.
Sami couldn't go to school or play out like
other children. He enjoyed coming to the
Centre to a painting class where he was a
great favourite with the older members and
where he also found Aromatherapy and
Reflexology helped him a lot. Sami's mum
came with him to the painting and was
pleased she could see a Benefit's Adviser to
help her with finances.

"It's the sort of place where
people aren't afraid to look you
in the eye"

Cancer Patient

Lilibet was working in Poland
when she became ill. She left
her job and her life abroad to
return home for treatment. The
Centre helped her sort out her
benefits, make new friends
and take part in new interests
and activities

Brenda trained to become a volunteer in the
new Cancer Information Centre having lost
her husband to cancer the previous year.

"I find it very rewarding being able to help
patients and relatives by simply listening as
they voice their fears and concerns or
helping them find the appropriate
information. I only wish it had been open
sooner, so that we could have taken
advantage of it"

"Once I got over the initial shock of having
cancer. I found there was a problem in
finding out any information about support
services and about the cancer itself.
Finally I had to give up my job as a welder
and find advice about benefits
entitlement. It was through this that I
found out about Bradford Cancer
Support"

Colin

Seetal's parents were devastated when
she was diagnosed with lymphoma
when she was only twelve. Seetal found
it difficult to cope with her lengthy
treatment and was very unhappy that
she had to miss school and all it's
activities. She was anxious to maintain
her school progress but this wasn't easy
to achieve. A computer on permanent
loan from Caltec enabled her to catch up
at home with most of her school work.
Seetal is now back at school and has
won praise from her teachers for her
progress

"I had breast cancer and a mastectomy several years ago and joined 'Bosom Friends'
self-help group.

We meet together monthly to support anyone going through a bad time. we hold an
annual fashion show which is a lot of fun and gives us an opportunity to remind
ourselves that we can look and feel good again.

My husband Ronnie is a great source of support. He is a volunteer driver for the
Support Centre"

Liz - Cancer Patient and Centre Volunteer

"From Welder/Fabricator to Community Involvement Worker, user involvement has
helped me back into full time employment with a complete turnaround in career
path".

"User Involvement has given me the chance to feel like I can contribute to society
again, after being forced to give up work through having cancer".

"For many people, cancer calls an abrupt halt to their participation in many activities
that are normally taken for granted. User Involvement can be a way of restoring
feelings of self worth".