Page 20 - Inspire_SpringSummer_DigitalEdition

Volunteering Support Can Work Both Ways

The Formby Store Team (L-R): Stephen, Pat, Helen, Sheila,Teresa, Norma, Joanne, Brenda

Volunteering support can work both ways

Teresa Mooney appears so calm and measured, it is impossible to appreciate the level of
emotional distress she has endured in the past year.

Her husband John was diagnosed with lung cancer in June last year and passed away less than six months later. Having
battled non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for the past 20 years, his sudden decline was as heartbreaking as it was unexpected.
At around the same time, their son, also named John, was diagnosed with cancer of the tonsils. Despite several rounds
of chemotherapy, he was able to attend his father’s funeral and is now, in Teresa’s words,“heading in the right direction”.
Teresa volunteers at our Formby shop, where she finds friendship and can share memories of John. She describes how
their lives changed so suddenly.

“John and I loved to go walking and one day we were almost at the top “It’s easy to become lonely and I’d strongly
of a peak when he began complaining about his breathing. He’d been out recommend that anyone in a similar position
of puff before, but he instinctively knew this was different. He went to considers volunteering because it gives you
the GP the very next day and demanded to be checked thoroughly.That’s that extra layer of practical and emotional
when they found the lung cancer. support.”

“From that point on, everyday life changed forever. I hadn’t spent so When someone is diagnosed with lung
much time at home since my children were young.We never once went cancer, naturally, the focus is on the patient.
out in the evening and, if we went out during the day, the most John But carers need care too.Teresa was
could manage was a few hundred metres to a local cafe bar and back. fortunate to have her readymade ‘family’ at
the Formby shop. For those who don’t have
“As a carer, you put yourself second and it’s not easy.There were times someone to talk to, we can help.
when I would go down to the garden and cry. It was a relief and then I’d
come back and be cheerful, because that’s really important. Our lung cancer support groups are here
for everyone, including carers. Located
“After John passed away, I felt extremely fragile. Family and friends rally across the UK, they offer the opportunity
around - I’m lucky to have three wonderful children and four beautiful to speak to others in similar situations who
grandchildren - but many of them have jobs or are busy during the week, really understand.
and it can leave a gap.
To find your nearest lung cancer
“Luckily, I’d been volunteering at the shop for about five years, so I’d support group, please visit
become part of a nice little community.The shop is an open house www.roycastle.org/supportgroups
throughout the week - somewhere to come, have a cup of coffee and Or to find out more about
talk about your problems with people who understand. Even when John volunteering, go to
was still alive and struggling, people here knew how to handle it and www.roycastle.org/volunteer
allowed us to carry on regardless, rather than fussing over me.

20 Inspire 2017