logo

13509009_10153587157972617_517560478664548297_n

Today I'm really excited to announce that I've just taken on the role of Social Media Ambassador this summer for a local cancer charity, The Big C. I've written about the charity countless times before in my role as a journalist in Norfolk, but now I'm going to be even more involved in their summer campaign #CancerConversations by blogging for charity and I'm so excited to be involved with such a great local cause.

Anyone who knows me, knows I love to talk. I've lost count of how many people have told me I have the gift of the gab, that I'm the kind of gal who could start up a conversation with anyone. Even more so, I love to listen - I love to hear people's stories, to know where they've come from and where they're going. Two traits that are incredible important, both as a traveler, and in life - these have taken me through a career as a journalist, into travel blogging and has helped me no end in my world travels. Communication is what we humans live for, and yet sometimes it can be so hard to talk about the things that it is most important to discuss, whether relating to our feelings, or even more importantly, our health. For someone who is so vocal about everything else, I sometimes really struggle to talk about very personal things - so often I am listening to the problems of others and find it tricky to slip in what I'm going through. Travelling has changed that, I'm more open than ever before about what is going on in my life and try my best not to bottle things up anymore.

Keeping with the theme of conversations, I'll always remember a string of interviews I had a few years ago while working as a journalist in Norfolk. It started with a former teacher of mine who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer, then there was the chap who came in with his wife and their baby daughter who had just been given months to live after doctors found a brain tumour. All of these brave individuals were doing their bit to raise money and awareness of the disease whether they were going to survive or not - they were inspiring and fought the illness every step of the way. But then there were the tributes - talking to the families and friends who were left behind after several startlingly young people died of the disease very suddenly. Hearing them describe their mothers, brothers, daughters and uncles as these vibrant individuals was hard, very hard. It was heartbreaking and brought a tear to my eye more times than I can count and really made me realise how short and unexpected life can be. Even now, after years of journalism, these are the interviews that stick out the most in my mind, and in life, these conversations will stay with me for the rest of my days. Teaching me the value of every second we have on this Earth and making the absolute most of it, now that's all I dedicate my life to after giving up life as I knew it to travel the world.imageWhen it comes to health, I've always been lucky and had a huge support network of friends and family I could go to about anything. This makes such a huge difference when you actually have a health scare, just knowing you have people to talk to about it, just knowing you're not alone and being able to seek help can change your whole experience. It's sad to think there are people out there who feel they have no-one to turn to in these situations, or who wouldn't feel comfortable seeking the help they are entitled to, but there are so many like this. Just recently, I've had two uncles hospitalised in a serious condition, one of which was put on life support, and saw how our entire family came together despite being spread across three continents. The beauty of phones, email, Skype and even Whatsapp made it possible for us all to keep in touch across five different time zones and brought us closer together. But if you have no-one you feel you can turn to, it could be such a lonely and terrifying time to go through something like that. I think guys find it harder to open up about health issues so it’s essential for campaigns to help them discover the support that’s available to them.

This is why The Big C have launched their summer campaign, #CancerConversations which is aimed at those across Norfolk and Waveney who are not taking advantage of the free cancer support available to them, men in particular. The team behind The Big C said: "Chaps – don’t bottle up your cancer health issues. We can help support you through your treatment! We have a range of free services we can offer including: financial support and welfare advice, counselling services, pharmacy support and complementary therapies."  It's so important to get the support you need while going through something like this, I know so many people who couldn't have coped with going through cancer alone. A lot of these services were not available when my grandmother died of oesophageal cancer around a decade ago, but even then we were grateful for any help to deal with the condition. Now anyone going through the heartache and suffering of coping with this disease, or supporting someone through it, has a wealth of free services at their fingertips! If you're a woman reading this, why not take the time to make the men in your life aware.1563

Where can you get help?

With free support centres in Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and my home of King's Lynn, there are plenty of places to start if you're seeking help. Join one of the cancer support groups to share experiences at the Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn Centres for men who are living with and beyond cancer. These provide an informal, non-judgmental, open environment where men can support each other.

A range of free welfare advice is available with a specialist adviser, helping you sort the practicalities so you can concentrate on getting better. Information on benefits, loans, housing, employment issues, travel expenses, childcare, blue badge applications, help with form filling and much more is available.

The Big C also provide a range of complementary therapies in the Big C Centres. If you are a cancer patient, you and one carer can have up to six sessions each of reflexology, massage or reiki. There are also relaxation classes and nutritional workshops available, contact your nearest Big C centre to book.

Available for both you and your family, free counselling is a more structured form of support which may be appropriate when things seem so overwhelming that your usual ways of coping don't appear to help. Up to six sessions can be arranged for each patient and carer.

For more information about these services, contact one of the following centres:

Norwich - 01603 286112 or cancer.information@nnuh.nhs.uk
Great Yarmouth - 01493 855297 or yarmouthcentre@big-c.co.uk
King's Lynn - 01553 818737 or kingslynncentre@big-c.co.uk
The Louise Hamilton Centre, Gorleston - 01493 453100

Click here to go to the website - and here to find out more about the #CancerConversations summer campaign

Have you used any of these services - how have they helped you? Tell me about the strangest or funniest conversation you've ever had.

image7-1-1

Get Exclusive Access

When you sign up you will also get a FREE eBook - 50+ Easy Ways To Save Up To £10k For Travel

Africa
© 2024 Absolutely Lucy
Designed by Choose Purple
chevron-down