cancer awareness, Christian faith, Finsbury Park,
The recent female cancer awareness event held at the UCKG HelpCentre in Finsbury Park attracted almost 500 attendees.
The event was organised in association with two NHS hospitals, the Whittington and the North Middlesex, and the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity. Its aim was to help in addressing both the fear of women’s cancers and the widespread lack of basic understanding about them, particularly among young women.
The main guest speaker Dr Narendra Pisal, MBBS MRCOG of the Whittington Hospitalsaid: “It was a very good initiative by UCKG to get so many women involved in such a great cause. This deadly disease is killing thousands of women every year.
“Prevention is always better than a cure, and this event put together by the HelpCentre allowed many women to be made aware of the seriousness of cancer.”
Nicola Douglas of the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, who also made a presentation at the event added: “This was a great opportunity for us to spread our message to the wider community. The charity is keen to increase awareness of our cancer support centre within the North Middlesex University Hospital and the event enabled us to do just that.
“We offer complementary therapies for people living with cancer, as well as counselling sessions and support groups. I would like to thank the UCKG for inviting us to participate in this event and hope the audience went away more informed about the charity and its services.”
The feedback from attendees was particularly positive.
Twenty two year old Kiran Kaur of Finsbury Park, said: “The cancer awareness event really helped me to understand how I can reduce the risk of getting this frightening disease. The event was an eye opener, as it alerted me to ways of being more careful with my health and why I should have regular check ups.”
Speaking for older women, 42 year old Daisy Ajorgbor of Tottenham, added: “It was great to see that besides the NHS, there are other organisations that offer free health care in relation to cancer. I certainly came out of the event well equipped to fight against what every women dreads most. The briefing was really enjoyable and I found it very productive.”
After the presentations audience members with concerns were able to take advantage of confidential one-to-one sessions with nurses where more personal matters could be discussed in private.
Agnes Musikavanhu, a nurse from the Whittington Hospital who assisted with the Advice Clinic concluded: “The ladies who came for additional help really understood the day. I believe it achieved the aim of educating women in relation to cancer. It was excellent.”
The briefing was the first in a monthly series of free outreach events that the UCKG HelpCentre has launched for the whole of 2010.
ENDS
Note to editors
UCKG is a Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort. It reached the UK in 1995 and has gone from strength to strength, providing support and spreading the Christian faith. There are 36 UCKG HelpCentre branches in England and Wales.
For further information please contact the UCKG HelpCentre Press Officer via e-mail on press@uckgnew.org or call 020 7686 6033
