New Macmillan telephone and online support service launches at KGH

A new Macmillan telephone and online support service for cancer patients has been launched at KGH

The service is providing practical, emotional and financial support virtually, by telephone, video call, email, and online and has already helped some 141 people – by direct inquiry of by taking part in events - since it was launched at the end of last year.

Danielle Mellows, who has grown up in the local area, has been appointed as the new Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Lead for the centre and is providing the virtual support service.

With a family history of breast cancer and having lost her own grandmother to the disease, Danielle understands the anxiety a cancer diagnosis can cause and wants to ensure people get the vital support they need.

She said: “Being diagnosed with cancer is frightening at any time but even more so when we are also facing a global pandemic.

"We know that people affected by cancer need our support now more than ever, with so many uncertainties around treatment and late diagnosis on top of being isolated and all the anxiety that can cause.

“We are determined to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer during covid so have adapted our service to ensure that people in Kettering and the surrounding area get the vital support that they need right now.”

Since coming into post Danielle has been providing cancer support over the phone, via video call and email.

She has also been running online cancer Q&A sessions and has set up a virtual ‘HOPE’ course to help people living with cancer rebuild their strength and resilience when treatment ends.

Danielle is already making a difference locally to people like Michaela Stirling whose grandfather died from lung cancer in August last year.

As well as providing emotional support, Danielle was able to help Michaela access financial support to help with care in his final weeks.

Michaela from the Kettering area said: “I just want to thank Danielle for the help she provided at the drop of a hat.

"The service was amazing that she referred me to use and I received attendance allowance for my late grandfather.

"She really was a great help to me and my family.”

Macmillan head of nursing for cancer at KGH, Ruth Giles, said: “While we provide information and support around the diagnosis and treatment of cancer we know that often people have a great many more questions that occur to them after their hospital appointments.

“Clearly the pandemic will have added to people’s anxieties so I am delighted that Macmillan have taken the step of introducing a virtual service for patients in advance of the centre itself being built on the KGH site.

“The new service is helping people to better understand their condition and deal with the many, often unexpected, difficulties that a cancer diagnosis can bring.”

There are around 24,000 people living with or beyond cancer in Northamptonshire and 3,890 new diagnoses every year.

If you have questions about cancer or would like to speak to Danielle at the Macmillan Cancer Support Service in Kettering you can contact her on 07813 363539 or [email protected].

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