TWO women united by their diagnosis of ovarian cancer have launched a new chemotherapy and radiotherapy support group.

Cancer sufferers and their relatives are being invited to get involved by Littlemoor community leader Jan Hinton and former teacher Gill Harler, both of Weymouth.

They are both fighting ovarian cancer with everything they’ve got, and are now determined to reach out to others who are facing or have already gone through radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Jan said: “We wanted to start a support group but there aren’t that many people diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the area so we decided to open it out further to all people impacted by radiotherapy and or chemotherapy.

“We also want to reach out to relatives of cancer sufferers and hope that some come along.

“It is important because it’s not nice having cancer diagnosed.

"There isn’t another group out there like this and it’s been needed for a long time.

“It is very frightening and if you aren’t fortunate enough to have a good support system around you then it can be very lonely.”

She added: “Sometimes people just need to know there are people who they can ask questions to.”

The first meeting is taking place on Friday, July 4 at the St Clare Room in St Francis Church in Littlemoor from 10am until 11.30am.

Jan told the Echo that some people are not aware that they can get medication to help them with pain experienced during chemotheraphy by visiting the doctor.

She spoke of how after her first experience of the treatment she couldn’t walk and suffered with severe migraines.

The meeting was the brainchild of Gill Harler, who has been a great support to Jan and vice versa. They have also welcomed the help of Claire Williams, who runs the Weymouth and Portland Breast Cancer Support Group.

It is hoped that health experts will also be able to give talks to the group on some occasions.

The monthly meeting is free and is set to take place on the first Friday of every month.

Refreshments will be provided thanks to a £50 start-up grant from Big 4 Littlemoor.

For more information email jan.hinton@virgin.net or call 01305 834126.

 

Funds support good causes

COMMUNITY leader Jan Hinton is fighting back against ovarian cancer and has raised almost £1,000 for good causes.

Ahead of her chemotherapy treatment she took on a sponsored head shave and before that dyed her hair rainbow colours.

Her efforts raised £400 for the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust and Weldmar Hospice.

Her next mission is to carry on ticking off items on her bucket list which includes abseiling, jet skiing and wing walking.

She is now planning to host a charity auction to raise more much-needed money for good causes.