Group keeps cancer hopes alive

"When you mentioned the word cancer 25 years ago it was viewed as a death sentence," says 70-year-old Jo Stackhouse.

"Back then it wasn't really something you spoke about," says the grandmother from Great Wyrley, who was diagnosed with breast cancer 27 years ago.

"There was no support group back then. It was quite frightening," she says.

But about 18 months after her diagnosis, Jo saw an advert for a new support group setting up in Walsall and immediately signed up at the first meeting.

She has been part of Walsall Breast Cancer Support Group ever since and currently has the busy role of group co-ordinator.

"I haven't stopped running around since that day 25 years ago," laughs Jo, who was awarded an MBE for her efforts in 1994.

"But I've loved every minute of it."

From a dozen or so ladies at the first meeting, the group now has 800 members – and over the last quarter of a century has helped many hundreds more in need of emotional and practical support.

"It has been a rollercoaster ride, but together we have created one of the most successful breast cancer groups in the UK," she says.

Based at Walsall Manor Hospital, it is run entirely by dedicated unpaid volunteers and as well as offering support and friendship to ladies with breast cancer, the group has successfully raised £500,000 to help the fight against the disease.

But these ladies do not limit themselves to handing out leaflets, it is very much hands-on help as they provide support at the hospital's breast cancer clinic two days a week.

As soon as someone is diagnosed with breast cancer at the hospital, the volunteers step into action.

"We have our own room at the hospital and once someone is diagnosed they are asked if they would like to see someone from the support group," says Pat Rayner, of Willenhall, who was diagnosed with breast cancer 23 years ago.

"We are there to offer any support we can. We are not medical but we have all been there and know what these ladies are experiencing," says 60-year-old Pat, who is one of the hospital volunteers. Cancer can seem like the end of the world, but we give these ladies hope," she adds. And the support does not end there as the group also holds two meetings every month at Walsall's Banks's Stadium.

"Our meetings are feel good factor nights," says fellow support group volunteer Pat Viggers, of Walsall, who was diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago.

But the group is not solely for the women. The men in their lives also play a part. "Men want to know what is happening as well," says Jo's husband Brian, who is also on the group's committee and produces their quarterly newsletter.