The Amazon Breast Support Group

Hello again, another year has come and gone since our last Newsletter and may I wish you all well in 2025.

This year I sadly have to report the death of our beloved friend, the Amazons’ Treasurer and Secretary, Geoff Stafford. He was a lovely, kind, hard-working, dedicated founder member of the Amazons. He was there at the beginning in 1995 and knew everything there was to know about our Charity. Geoff was an active Committee Member on all levels and he could be depended upon to solve difficulties before they became a problem. He is sorely missed by us all.

On the brighter side, 2025 is the 30th Anniversary of the formation of The Amazons and the Charity will be making a huge donation to the Breast Services at King’s Mill. After discussions with the Professionals we are negotiating with the Trust on the purchase of important equipment that will add to the already excellent treatment delivered at The Hospital and benefit our King’s Mill breast cancer patients – our local patients and fundraisers deserve a “WOW FACTOR” milestone marker!

Sadly we’re saying “goodbye” to Specialist Breast Care Nurse Gill Clark who is retiring from her position as Lead Nurse in King’s Mill Breast Unit (but thankfully not from The Amazons!). She was my Breast Care Nurse 28 years ago and I, with many, many more, thank her for her kindness, expertise, dedication and professionalism and wish her well in her retirement.

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

Come and join us (with your partner or a friend if you like)in the Amazon Lounge at one of our Open Support Meetings. We meet as friends for a chat over a cuppa, a biscuit and sometimes a cake! We’re in The Breast Unit but we’re not a clinic—there‘ll be a Breast Care Nurse there to support and reassure & we follow no organised pattern; we talk as friends, exchange conversations, experiences, sometimes questions and advice if asked. Come once, come every month, come when you want us— we’re here every second Tuesday in the month except August, 5.00pm till 6.30pm. If you enjoy a fashion show, a race night or a tombola check our dates for 2025

Mr Manus Dube, second left, a Breast Surgeon at King’s Mill Hospital, came to one of our Committee Meetings to talk to us & brought cake! We had sponsored him to attend courses concerned with breast care specialities & new techniques. He gave us excellent feedback & we may use this to inform our future spending. We always ask the advice of the professionals.

“Spends” have included the flooring, cupboard and microwave in the Amazon Lounge, donating towards decorating the Welcome Treatment Centre at Christmas, a specialist’s course and ongoing funding for patient-packs. Now looking forward to our next larger project for our 30 year milestone!

In The Community: October, being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, found us with our Tombola and Awareness Stall in Sutton Idlewells Precinct. It was an excellent opportunity to chat and give breast cancer awareness information in an informal setting to a wide range of people who might otherwise not receive it. The prizes drew a good response too and the event raised £231.“Thank you” Card Factory for the balloons!

At our monthly Open Meetings: always a good opportunity to swop and gain information and just sit, relax and chat over a cupper. See the times of the Support Meetings on the front page.

Telephone 01623 622515 ext. 3884 and speak to Nurse Specialists 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.

Remember, if you’ve missed your mammogram appointment don’t wait until your next 3 year reminder; you can ring the Breast Clinic and a new appointment can be made. After the age of 70 when the automatic 3 yearly appointments stop, you can still request mammogram appointments, just ring.

Held at Skegby’s “Triple S Club” our Fashion Show was enjoyably hosted by William Finan of “The Complete Clothing Company”. The volunteer models Diane, Margaret, Wendy, Sue, Gill and Gail ably performed multiple changes of eye catching dresses, tops, trousers, jackets and accessories, parading and posing to encourage those wanting a bargain to reach for their cards. With a great raffle and relaxing bar the event raised £1,105!

At 7.15pm, on a frosty NovemberEvening at Skegby’s “Triple S Club” the Annual Amazons’ Hunters Race Night was under starter’s orders. The Lucky Dip, Raffle & Bar were already gaining interest & “punters” were studying the race cards, queueing to place their bets at the Tote table & opening the free nibbles. Stuart from R&N Promotions hosted the event, & between filmed races, explained the odds and the winnings on our £1 bets, keeping the “punters” entertained & happy, as you can see! The event raised an amazing £2,000 ! Wethank everyone for their support on the night &for “buying” horses or sponsoring races earlier.

After enjoying the festive Christmas “fuddle “goodies we gathered outside the Amazon Lounge for the presentation of generous donations amounting to £820!

A wonderful Christmas present to benefit breast cancer patients at King’s Mill. Our donors on the night were Pauline and Barry, Keira and Kayme, Arlene and Don and Maria, whose donation was presented by Sue, and all were gratefully received by Beryl on behalf of the Charity. A Big “thank you” from the Amazons!

THANK YOU to Sharon and John Cooper who hosted another 4“Evening garden Parties” this year. They entertained with Sharon’s Quiz! raffle & card bingo, serving venison stew, curries, desserts, sweets, drinks & much more! Since 2015 they have donated an amazing £11,490! On behalf of all the local breast cancer patients who have benefited from their kindness & the generosity of their supporters the Amazons say another big “thank you”!