More support for tumour patients

Tuesday 17 June 2014

A new pop-in centre has opened in town to support Islanders diagnosed with brain tumours.

The Jersey Brain Tumour Charity was set up 18 months ago by Sue May who found little support available on the Island when she suffered a brain tumour four years ago.

Sue said: “There was nothing and I just couldn’t believe that there was no support at all when I came back to the Island after my operation, you can’t drive, I was a single mum, I had two children, I had to pick them up from school, get them to after-school activities like dancing.”

Sue’s brain tumour turned out to be benign and she’s now working with a team of more than fifty volunteers offering practical, emotional and financial support to around 20 patients and their families. They give patients help at home and help them get out and about when they are unable to drive.

She said: “I remember thinking when will I be me again, you sometimes have to re-learn to do things and you have to have a lot of resilience to get to the next stage.”

The new centre, on the first floor of 60 Halkett Place - above the jewellers, has opened thanks to funding from the Association of Jersey Charities which has also enabled the charity to take on its first support worker.

Anyone can pop in for support and advice from 10 am til 2 pm Monday to Wednesdays and from 10 am til 4 pm on Thursdays and Fridays.