Myeloma UK has joined forces with Wye Valley NHS Trust to raise awareness of the condition myeloma (From Hereford Times)
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Myeloma UK has joined forces with Wye Valley NHS Trust to raise awareness of the condition myeloma
7:00am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Health
At the myeloma support group are (from left) Rachel Price-Jones, John Ballantyne and Dr Ray Owens. 120414-1. Buy this photo »
ABOUT 80 people in Herefordshire are currently live with myeloma, an incurable cancer that eats into their bone marrow.
This week those 80 got their own local support to show they don’t have to suffer alone.
Leading cancer charity Myeloma UK has joined forces with Wye Valley NHS Trust to raise awareness of the condition.
Myeloma is an increasingly common cancer affecting plasma cells in the bone marrow that protect the body against infection.
There is currently no cure but newer treatments can halt myeloma for longer and improve quality of life.
Specialist cancer nurse Rachel Price-Jones, who provides advice and guidance for myeloma patients at the County Hospital, recognised the need for a wider support network for myeloma patients and their families.
Last year, Rachel joined SCREENINGS for risk of osteoporosis are to be held in the county.
Appointments are available at Forbury Chapel in Leominster from 10am to noon on Monday, February 13 and the following day at the Larruperz Centre, Ross-on-Wye, from 9am to 1pm.
To book, call 0845 224 6784.
forces with Myeloma UK and held a bake-athon fund-raising event to get people in Herefordshire talking about myeloma, and build a network of patients and families to form a new support group.
Many local businesses supported the fund-raiser and generous donations towards running costs totalled £700.
Rachel said: “Multiple myeloma is a rare cancer that many people do not know about it until they are diagnosed with it.”
Myeloma patient John Ballantyne said the support had already helped him accept his diagnosis, giving him “a new focus and hope” for the future.
“Meeting other myeloma patients has made me realise that I am not alone, and their positive stories about living with myeloma for many years and still enjoying life has given me the incentive to do the same,” he said.
à To find out more about the local group visit the Myeloma UK website at myeloma.org.uk or call 01432 355444 ext 4259.
