The Amazon Breast Support Group

Hi there everyone, I wish you a happy, healthy 2024 and thank all Amazons, “Amazon friends” and Amazon News readers for your previous support and fundraising efforts.

I thought it might be a good idea to introduce you to our wonderfully dedicated Committee as we celebrate our 29th year since being founded at King’s Mill in 1995, by Specialist Nurses Liz Hunter and Ann Addams, as a Support Group and then a Charity. The committee oversee the running of the group and with close contact with the professionals try to enhance support for Breast Unit patients.

Back row, left to right: Sue Street, inset, Lesley Naylor, inset, Breast Care Nurse Carolyn Bennett, Keith Brown. L/R sitting: Breast Care Nurse Yvonne Lisseman-Stone, Sandra Ballard, Angie Whawell, Beryl Perrin, Maureen Walton Mowbray, Ann Brown, Janet & Geoff Stafford & Breast Care Nurse Gill Clark.

My important advice currently, is to anyone who is eligible for a 3yearly mammogram and may have missed their appointment for whatever reason - (this happened frequently during covid). Just phone and contact the Breast Unit and a new appointment can be made, don’t wait til your next 3yearly reminder. Also when you reach the age of 70 you can still request those mammograms, but you have to instigate those appointments…. And always remember to check your breasts and armpits regularly.

A BIG "THANK YOU". Bless you, Beryl Perrin (Chairperson)

April 2023 was our first Open Support Meeting since covid. It is GREAT to be back, meeting people at different phases along their patient pathway, as we all are, and chatting over a cuppa with them, their partner or friend and our old friends, including a breast care nurse. Unfortunately we had to meet in the Reception Area of The Breast Care Unit at King’s Mill as our existing Amazon Lounge soft furnishings were not suitable post-pandemic. Help was at hand! Two Co op stores at Stanton Hill and Alfreton Road, Sutton, had used their local Charitable Trust donations to fund our planned soft-furnishings. A big “Thank-you” to those local Co op members who supported us. We and the Breast Unit’s team are now using the Amazon Lounge again and the Amazons are funding and looking forward to completing the “makeover” with flooring and cabinets etc.

Telephone 01623 622515 ext. 3884 and speak to Nurse Specialists Gill Clark, Yvonne Lisseman-Stone & Carolyn Bennett Or contact Amazon Breast Cancer Support Group on Facebook messenger

Open Meetings are:

The second Tuesday of each month, except August 5.00pm to 6.30pm in the Amazon Lounge,Clinic 14, Women and Children’s Centre, King’s Mill. Please just turn up, with a partner or friend if you wish.

October, being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, found The Amazons in Sutton’s Idlewells Precinct

Here we are our with our Tombola stall in 2023 -prizes wrapped, tickets in the drum, balloons from “Card Factory”, copies of The Amazon News to freely distribute and ready! ..Ready to chat to local people about any topics related to their existing awareness of breast cancer and promote this and their knowledge of our Support Group and Charity working for breast cancer patients locally.

Pictured are Breast Care Nurse Yvonne Lisseman-Stones, Breast Surgeon Mr Manas Duba & Amazons Janet & Geoff Stafford.

We were pleased to present a Bonew 5w headband optic with headlight magnifier to King’s Mill surgeon Mr. Manas Duba and sponsor him to attend two courses. He presented details of King’s Mill’s services at a 2 day Association of Breast Surgery Conference in Belfast. “Thank you” for making it possible.

Held at the “Triple S”, Skegby, the ideal venue for a fashion show, this was our own first fundraiser of the year and was very well supported. Kath Finan of “The Complete Clothing Company” provided a wonderful selection of outfits and accessories and our own “volunteer” models made an excellent job of displaying them on the cat-walk. There was a book sale and an extensive raffle including vouchers from Bates local Farm Shop, Kath Finan and a Boots Presentation Gift Set. The event raised £865 and we thank Kath Finan, Management and Staff of “The Triple S” and all the generous supporters of the event who are now amongst the best-dressed in the area!

We set the stage with Lucky Dip prizes, charity information banners and balloons from “Card Factory”. There were free packaged nibbles on the tables, the raffle tickets were selling well and Stuart from R&N Racing Productions was ready for the “OFF”. Once selections were made from the race cards the Tote table started to do business and the excitement started! A night to remember! The “Triple S”, Skegby was a great venue and the event raised £1,848 through the generosity of the punters, the raffle and Lucky Dip suppliers and everyone who supported us. Also thanks to everyone who helped with ticket sales and to Julie Marriott who always helps us with the running of the raffle. A huge “Thank You” from the Amazons on behalf of local breast cancer patients.

Sharon and John Cooper have hosted 5 evening garden parties this year & raised & donated £2,890 to the Amazons! Since 2015, with the dedicated help of their generous family & friends they have benefitted the pathway of local breast cancer patients by donating £9,056 in total! Thank you all for being so amazing.

THE HOLIDAY-MAKERS Two friends of the Amazons have holidayed 4 times in the last year at “The Cambria Hotel”, Paignton. They organised raffles and singing there and with the generous financial support of their fellow guests and The Gregory Family hotel proprietors, they raised £1,810 for us! Thank you! Having had a “special” birthday this year one of the friends accepted donations for us in lieu of presents and raised a further £660, making a total donation to the Amazons of £2,460 this year!SUCH AMAZING FRIENDS! And a huge thank you to everyone who supported them.

Joanne Wilson who is part of a Nottingham NHS group and presented the Amazons with a donation of £602! It was raised at a Coronation Party event which had included cake and craft stalls and a raffle. A proper Royal Event! THANK YOU!

Chris Batho and the Vodafone Funding Scheme Chris held a fundraiser for us in 2022 after which Vodafone donated a further £700. Thank you!

Brierley Forest Golf Club Landlord, Grant, donated floral displays to Julie Marriott who raffled them and, with Paul & Grant’s other donations, raised £110 for us. Thank you all!

Hairdresser Kerry White a continuing Amazon supporter! At her Blidworth hair salon, “Xpressions” this year, from Dec.2022 til Dec 2023 she has raffled chocolate hampers (£130), held cake sales and raffles during October Awareness Month (£1,160) held a Halloween raffle with scary knitted toys (£50) and raffled a Haribo bouquet supplied by CLB events (£95). Total raised this year - £1,435! THANK YOU Kerry and all your supporters!

Alison Whitton, who was “Mrs. Claus” on the Sutton Rotary Club’s 2022 Christmas Sleigh, and presented us with a £250 donation from them. Thank you to them and their helpers.

Rachel Street , who put on her hiking boots and completed the Peak District 100km Continuous Walk over 23 hours, with no sleep! Sponsorship and donations enabled Rachel to present £620 to the Amazons. THANK YOU! Does it make you feel like having ago? You could be a Star!

Carolynn, Beryl, Claire and Janet Helped with donations from Boots, sisters Carolynn Calcraft and Claire Hayes raised £800 for us, presenting the donation to our Chair, Beryl, at our Fashion Show. THANK YOU! Pictured with them is their Mum Janet who, from 1995, is a founder committee member of the Amazons, as is their Dad, Geoff, our Secretary.