Newsletter -2014 - York Against Cancer

Spring 2014
Registered Charity Number 1130835
Change is part of life. Sometimes changes are
just a natural progression like the seasons, some
changes are for the best, sometimes changes
have to be made for a short time and sometimes
change can be hard to adjust to.
York Against Cancer is embracing a few changes
this year. While we celebrate the past success
we also look forward to the possibilities change
may bring, along with a new Chairman and a
new website. We at York Against Cancer also
understand how cancer can enforce changes
to people’s lives and we work to help patients
and their families adjust. Most importantly we
want to work to bring about positive change in
diagnosis and treatment of cancer investing
in both research and care. Working with the
residents of York we want to change things for
the better for local people living with cancer.
Together we can make a difference.
31 North Moor Road | Huntington | York | YO32 9QN
Tel: 01904 764466 | www.yorkagainstcancer.org.uk
62759_Newsletter_SPRING_2014_8pp.indd 1
03/03/2014 16:17
Spring Fundraising Report 2014
Tesco Express
The city centre was very busy on Street
collection day as the Food Festival was on;
this certainly helped our cause as £1,635.00
was raised.
The annual Autumn fair at Earswick was another
success raising £500.00
Lunch with a Touch of Magic at Churchill’s
Hotel was a lovely event with the
entertainment by Craig Stephenson a
Psychologist Illusionist.
A Fashion Show held at Kenzi in October
raised £500.00 and another one organised
by Kenzi at Bedern Hall raised £305.00
The Ball in the Fall held at the Gimcrack Rooms,
York Racecourse raised £8,000.00. A three course
meal was enjoyed by everyone, followed by
dancing to Soul Finger.
The Steam Train to Whitby was another
success with over 300 people making the
journey, £3000.00 was raised.
Deans Garden Centre had a fabulous year
fundraising and achieved £17,800.00.
A gig at the Stone Roses organised by Dawn
Watts and her friends raised £803.53
Manny Vass performed a piano recital at Castle
Howard and donated £376.50
Lizzie Townend and Laura Cummins
shaved their heads to raise money for YAC
in support of their friend Kim Storey and
raised £616.00
John Williams and David Mothersdale ran the
York marathon and raised £410.00 and £736.00
respectively.
The Magnet, Osbaldwick held their annual
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Western music and raised £550.00
Eboracum Masonic Lodge donated £1,000.00
Caroline Mellanby had a craft fair
and raised £750.00
York Racecourse donated £4,500.00
St Peters School raised £1,010.00
Wilberfoss Sewing Circle donated £130.00
Sheriff Hutton Bridge Cricket Club played
the Yorkshire Academy for the second year
running and raised £1,220.00
The auction of the Dolls House donated by Polly
Trigg raised £2,000.00
Tockwith and District Bowls League
donated £66.10
The ladies of Forest Park Golf Club raised
£2,715.00; Captain Barbara Murray certainly went
the extra mile by doing a parachute jump.
Poppleton Bowls Club donated £150.00
Gateway Community choir donated £225.00
Unipart held a Dress Down day and raised £95.44
Katie Hurrell held her annual Soul Night at
the Royal York Hotel and raised £3,780.00
Thank you to all those who have bought from our
shops and a special thank you to the volunteers
who have manned the tills.
Thank you to all our fundraisers.
A special thank you goes to all the people
who regularly pay money into the YAC bank
account!
As always a big thank you to the ladies of the
Dunnington Support Group who work tirelessly to
raise funds for us
Apologies if your fundraising
effort has not been mentioned
here – please accept
our heartfelt
THANKYOU!
Diary dates Spring 2014
Come along on Wednesday 30th April to The
Mount Royale Hotel, and enjoy Afternoon tea
with Get Ahead Hats. This fashion show of hats
will include the new 2014 collection, suitable for
the races, weddings and that special occasion.
This is the perfect way to choose your hat for
that special day. Tickets are £17.50 and they are
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Join us for York Swings Against Cancer at
the Joseph Rowntree Theatre on Sunday
18th May. Local musicians will perform popular
swing tunes from Glen Miller, Michael Bublé,
Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra and Robbie Williams.
Tickets are £12, concessions £10. Available from
i]Z=jci^c\idcd[ÐXZdc%&.%),+))++
The AGM is on Tuesday 10th June and as
usual will be held at the Jack Birch Unit at the
University. Please meet at 6.30pm for a 7pm
start with the same format as previous years. Our
sale of books, cakes and bric-a brac at St Crux is on
Wednesday 11th June. This is always a popular
and successful day so volunteers are always
needed to help out – eaZVhZXVaai]Zd[ÐXZdc
01904 764466 if you could spare an hour or two.
The Annual Golf Day at York Golf Club will
be held on Thursday 3rd July. The successful
shot-gun format will be repeated with a hooter
indicating simultaneous tee off at 2p.m. The event
is open to 28 teams of 4 and there are still places
available. For an application form or more details
eaZVhZXVaai]Zd[ÐXZdc%&.%),+))++#
Our city centre Street Collection is on
Saturday 27th September, once again
volunteers are needed to collect, if you can help
eaZVhZXVaadgZbV^ai]Zd[ÐXZdc01904 764466
d[ÐXZ5ndg`V\V^chiXVcXZg#dg\#j`
Tickets and more information is available by
XVaa^c\i]Zd[ÐXZ%&.%),+))++#
Once again the Steam Special will run
between Christmas and the New Year on
Sunday 28th December. More details will
follow in the next newsletter!
York Rocks Against Cancer is at the Grand
Opera House on Saturday 11th October, once
again with local bands and featuring some of the
cast of Emmerdale. More details will be in our next
newsletter and on the website.
We are having a coffee morning at the
Unitarian Church, St Saviourgate on Friday
17th October where we will be selling Christmas
cards and running tombola.
Please call in and see us!
The Yorkshire Gala Dinner is on Thursday
6th November at the Merchant Adventurers
Hall. This is a black tie event with a three course
meal followed by two speakers. Andrew Raftery, a
retired Consultant Transplant Surgeon and Darren
Gough former England and Yorkshire Cricketer.
Tony Audenshaw & Natalie Anderson from Emmerdale
Who’s who on the front cover
1. Forever, winners of the Down with kidz event 2013 2. Prof Steve Leveson, Chairman of York Against Cancer 3. Sheriff Hutton Bridge Cricket Club
4. Kathi Hess, Biology Undergraduate Student at the Jack Birch Unit 5. Darren Housley, running in aid of York Against Cancer 6. Ian Stevenson, YAC
driver with the Minibus 7. Castle Howard Hosting the 2013 Triathlon 8.Manny Vass, Pianist
2
62759_Newsletter_SPRING_2014_8pp.indd 2
03/03/2014 16:17
Changes at YAC
Charity founder takes lead for
new era ahead
After 11 years there is a new Chairman at York
Against Cancer…but although Steve Leveson may
be new to this role he has been with the charity
from the beginning. It was Steve’s and his fellow
co –founders’ idea to set up York Against Cancer
back in 1987. Steve Leveson is a Professor of
Surgery at Hull York Medical School. He stopped
doing clinical surgery a few years back but is still
involved in research and postgraduate surgical
training both in the region and at The Royal
College of Surgeons.
Steve takes over the helm from Patrick Shepherd
who has been Chairman since 2002. Patrick has
led the charity through many amazing events
including the charity’s Silver Anniversary
celebrations and the opening of the holiday home
in Whitby. Patrick was also a member of the Jogle
team that cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats
to raise money for York Against Cancer and who
then a few years later did the same journey but
the other way round again for the charity.
As Patrick explains it’s been a positive decade for
the charity,
Patrick & Chris Shepherd with Steve Leveson
A word from our
new chairman.
Steve Leveson
’It is a great honour to be asked by the Board to
Chair York Against Cancer. As a co-founder of the
charity I have seen York Against Cancer go from
strength to strength under the guidance of the
three previous Chairman, the last being Patrick
Shepherd and I hope that I shall be able to
continue their successful endeavours.
Over the past few years we have been through
some challenging times but have continued to
raise funds to enhance the services available
locally. Prominent amongst these have been the
mini bus service to Leeds Cancer Centre for
patients with more complex treatments and the
purchase of a respite apartment in Whitby for
patients and carers. The Cancer Care Centre at
York Hospital continues as a valuable resource for
support and information for patients and carers.
In the future we hope that we will be able to
develop services further and we shall be in contact
with cancer service providers to see which areas
we can help to enhance both in the hospital and in
the wider community.
The education committee under the chairmanship
of ex-teacher John Molyneux has been both active
and effective in health promotion in primary and
secondary schools, the education packs which we
have provided have proved to be popular with both
pupils and teachers .
Research under the direction of Prof Jenny
Southgate at the Jack Birch Unit at the University
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knowledge of cancer biology and the work has had
both national and international recognition. York
Against Cancer provides some core funding but
much of the research is funded by the awards of
highly prestigious grants from various funding
bodies selected against strong competition.
“Since being appointed Chairman in 2002 the
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Mark Sessions and was part of a team that was
able to continue developing the charity into what
it has become today. The core of YAC is to raise
and spend its money locally, this we do, and we
now cover such a variety of support and services
for cancer sufferers and their families that is an
amazing organisation to be a part of. The success
of the charity is wholly down to the endless work
of its many volunteers; our small but highly
effective staff so ably led by Julie Russell and the
other board members who continue to give their
time and expertise to YAC.
I am delighted that Steve Leveson has succeeded
me, I cannot think of anyone who is better
equipped to understand the needs of the people
for whom the charity was set up to help and also to
help shape the direction that the charity needs to
take over the next few years.”
It must be recognised that our success relies very
much on the emphasis of being a local charity
where funds raised locally are spent locally. Our
running costs are low because we have a small
number of paid staff and I am very aware that
much of our success depends on the tireless work
of the volunteers who participate in fund raising
through a myriad of methods from sales to coffee
mornings and sponsored activities not forgetting
the running of the shops in the hospital and in
Huntington.
Our board of directors will continue to oversee the
direction of the charity and be involved in many of
djgVXi^k^i^Zh#;^cVaan>]deZi]VibniZgbd[d[ÐXZ
is as successful as my predecessors but I shall not
be emulating Patrick Shepherd on cycling the
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extreme activities!
Patrick Shepherd
3
62759_Newsletter_SPRING_2014_8pp.indd 3
03/03/2014 16:17
N685Ndg`Jc^kZgh^in
Exciting new research carried out at the
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which may play a vital role in preventing cancer
development in the bladder. The work was carried
out as a collaboration between researchers at the
Jack Birch Unit for Molecular Carcinogenesis and
bioinformaticians at the Johannes Gutenberg
University in Mainz, Germany and was
ejWa^h]ZY^c9ZXZbWZg^ci]ZhX^Zci^ÐX_djgcVa!
Developmental Biology.
The research found a protein called “ELF3” to be a
key controller of healthy behaviour in epithelial
cells of the bladder. This protein is found in
the nucleus of healthy bladder epithelial cells
and acts by directly binding to the DNA in cells,
controlling which genes are switched on or off.
Jenny Hinley
Jenny Hinley, a PhD student supported by York
Against Cancer in the Jack Birch Unit and a coauthor on the article, has been studying the role of
ELF3 in the bladder.
“Bladder cancer is
diagnosed in about
10,000 people
every year in the
UK and some of
the work we do
in the Jack Birch
Unit is to study
what makes a cell
“normal”. All cells
in the human
body must switch
on a programme
of genes to allow them to become functionally
specialised. In the bladder this process of
differentiation enables the cells to form a barrier
to urine. We have found that one of the most
important genes controlling differentiation in the
bladder is ELF3 and as cancer is caused by a loss
of the normal control mechanisms of the cell, we
think ELF3 is of major interest for understanding
the switch from a healthy cell to a cancer cell”.
Director of the Jack Birch Unit, Professor Jenny
Southgate said “This work furthers our knowledge
about the processes which are required for
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which we think may have a critical role in the
development and progression of cancer”.
Alice Pilborough
Alice Pilborough is an undergraduate student in
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at the University of York. After returning from
a placement year working in the Biopharm
Research & Development Department at
GlaxoSmithKline
she is doing her
ÐcVanZVggZhZVgX]
project under the
supervision of
Anna Radford – a
PhD student and
trainee Paediatric
Urologist who
is based in the
Jack Birch Unit.
Alice’s project is
studying how bladder epithelial cells respond to
low oxygen tensions, as this may result in signals
that lead to new blood vessel growth in tissues,
which is an important aspect of tumour growth.
After completion of her undergraduate degree,
Alice has been offered a PhD position at
i]ZJc^kZgh^ind[H]Z[ÐZaY^ckZhi^\Vi^c\DgVa
Cancer and the mechanism by which it spreads
through the body. She is looking forward to
having the opportunity to contribute further
id`cdlaZY\Z^ci]^hÐZaYVcYi]ZgZlVgYhVcY
challenges she will face in completing her PhD.
Alice said “my research in the Jack Birch Unit has
taught me important research skills that I will be
able to put to good use in my PhD; it has been a
very valuable and enjoyable experience”. Outside
the lab Alice enjoys playing the cello in the
University of York Concert Orchestra and
competing for the Ballroom and Latin Dance team
Kathi Hess
I am Kathi, a biology undergraduate student
in the Jack Birch unit at the University of York,
where I investigate the mechanisms underlying
chemotherapy resistance in bladder cancer.
To do so, I compare cells isolated from healthy
and malignant tissue. I focus on a group of
proteins that have already been implicated
in the development of bladder cancer due
to occupational exposure to heavy metals.
I like my work, a mixture of doing crafty
laboratory experiments, reading and writing.
I am originally from Karlsruhe, Germany, and
moved to the UK in 2010. I have always wanted to
live abroad. English, besides Latin, was the only
language I learned at school and I completely
submerged myself in it. Work in the local Irish
Pub and a crush on Robbie Williams allowed my
language skills to blossom and almost made the
decision to come to the UK for me – despite having
to pay tuition fees, non-existent in Germany;
experience is priceless after all. I chose York for its
excellence in Biology.
years analogue photography has been my great
eVhh^dc#>cZVganXg^ZYi]ZÐghii^bZ>YZkZadeZY
VÐab^ci]ZYVg`gddb#>ci]Z?VX`7^gX]Jc^i>
discovered one of the old microscopes was still
Zfj^eeZYl^i]VÐabXVbZgV#6ai]dj\]iZX]cdad\n
has progressed
and long rendered
it useless, it is still
functional and I
am looking forward
to soon develop
some pictures of
my current work.
Besides photography
I continue to work on
“projects“, a passion
my fundraiser has
spurred in me. This currently involves designing
a project for a D&T class in which children recycle
bikes into furniture in anticipation of the Tour
de France, and marketing Cancer Research UK’s
fundraising events.
After university this summer I am interested in
moving to South America, an opportunity my
Spanish skills are offering me. Although I enjoy
molecular biology and cancer research, I have
become increasingly interested in global change
ecology and would like to work on sustainability
egd\gVbbZh#EZg]VehV_dWl^i]Vcdc"egdÐi
organization will allow me to combine my passion
for “creating projects“ with my love for biology
– the study of life. How could you not love it!
L^i]^ci]ZÐghiildnZVgh>heZX^Va^oZY^c
molecular biology and in my third year undertook
a year in research at the CNIO, a renowned centre
for cancer research in Madrid. There I worked on
lung and liver cancer in mouse models. My time in
Spain was absolutely invaluable, at and outside of
work. I learned a new language, a lot of laboratory
techniques and how science actually works.
I wish I had not have had to leave (to complete my
course in York). Madrid will always remain my
home.
I thought that if I had to go, I would do so in
style. Actually I decided to return home by bike
simply because I could and fancied the idea. By
cycling 1,800 miles from Spain through France to
Germany on my own in 30 days I raised £2,000
pounds for a charity called Musequality, which
supports children in developing countries by
means of a music education. Inequalities in e.g.
health and education unrightly deprive people
of choice, a ubiquitous injustice that those of us
who have choice need to end as we start to make
altruistic decisions. Only hereby can we guarantee
a sustainable co-existence. To exemplify interdependence and help others to discover the
joy of doing unconditional favours, I purposely
travelled with little more than what I wore on
the day I left: Camera, toothbrush, piece of soap,
towel, sleeping bag, sandals, one pair of shorts, one
tshirt and a swiss army knife. I sometimes slept
in the forest but most of the time I was hosted
by random strangers I simply approached in
the street, some of which I could not even have
a conversation with (in France). They all cared
for me as if I was their own child. Never did I feel
unsafe. The journey was a challenge to myself
and the views of others. In order to learn new
things, we have to step outside our comfort-zone,
otherwise we will not progress beyond the mere
re-interpretation of what we already know.
To mark the end of my journey and the project I
held two photography exhibitions. For the past 10
Lizi Kidger
I am a trainee urologist and am currently working
as a clinical-research fellow. I am undertaking
an MD in the Jack Birch Unit and I also work
two days a week at The James Cook University
Teaching Hospital NHS Trust. I graduated with an
MBChB from The University of Leeds in 2008. I
then completed my foundation and core surgical
training with urological theme in the Yorkshire
Deanery achieving my membership with the
Royal College of Surgeons (Eng). My research in
the Jack Birch Unit focuses on different bladder
pain syndromes, with particular focus on the
role of Nerve Growth Factor Receptor (NGFR).
When I am not in the lab or the hospital I can
usually be found on my bike. I am a keen cyclist
and enjoy both road and mountain biking. In
November 2012 I completed the E-tape Pennine
road race, which covered a 78mile route with a
2313m climb, in less than 7 hours. I mountain
bike with a group in Dalby forest every week
and I have also travelled all over the country
completing many routes but my favourite place
to cycle remains in the Peak District. Recently,
>]VkZXdbeaZiZYbnÐghi786XnXad"Xgdhh
event and I also regularly take part in both
sprint and Olympic distance triathlons.
4
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03/03/2014 16:17
YAC Links with local business
York charity receives boost from Santander Generous gardeners
This donation has been given to the
help YAC grow!
charity after being nominated for the
award by Dave Thompson, a partner in
PJ Clifton Financial Service’s who as a
partnership own the Santander agency in
Huntington. Dave has a personal reason
for supporting York Against Cancer,
“I nominated York Against Cancer for
the £5,000 donation from Santander’s
Community plus Foundation as three
years ago my wife was provided with
transport for a few weeks from York to St
James’s in Leeds for her treatment. One
of the fantastic services provided by the
charity. A local charity run by local people
serving the local community.”
Julie Russell with Dave Thompson & Alan Eagle
York Against Cancer has been awarded £5,000
from the Santander Foundation. The grant was
provided from the Foundation’s Community Plus
initiative which provides grants for projects that
help disadvantaged people in local communities.
Foundation Manager, Alan Eagle, explains,
“Community Plus was designed to be a quick
way for charities, Santander customers and staff
to gain funding to support local charities at a
i^bZl]Zc[jcY^c\^h]VgYidÐcY#I]^hnZVgi]Z
Santander Foundation will be donating over £5.5
million to UK charities to help disadvantaged
people. We are delighted to be supporting
York Against Cancer and hope the donation
makes a real difference to local people.”
Julie Russell , General Manager at York
Against Cancer, says the money is a great boost to
the charity and to be nominated in this way and
recognised nationally is a great honour,
“We are so grateful to the Santander Foundation
for their generosity and especially thankful
to Dave for the nomination. To be put forward
for this award by someone who has personal
experience of our work is very special.
Every year Dean’s
Garden Centre staff
nominate a Charity of
the Year and in 2013
it was York Against
Cancer & Yorkshire
Cancer Research that
were chosen. The
customers and staff
at the York and at the Staff at Deans in York
Scarborough centres have raised the highest ever
amount of £27,529.86 including a £2,500 donation
from the Partners of the business. This total was
divided up for the two charities. York Against
Cancer received an amazing £17,293.71p.
The customers and staff have done this by holding
various fundraising events throughout the year
including a charity bike night, walking treasure
hunt, and a brass band concert. York Against
Cancer are grateful for both the enthusiasm of the
staff and the participation of the customers. Many
staff dedicated time to train for the York 10k run
and one member of staff even braved having his
torso waxed to raise money. The kindness and
effort put in by all those associated with Dean’s
will really make a difference to local people living
with cancer. The Partners at Dean’s Garden Centre
said “We would like to thank our customers and
suppliers for their continued support throughout
the year and also thanks to all the staff at
Dean’s Garden Centre, York & Scarborough, who
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Businessman’s marathon challenge
You never know
who you are going
to meet and what
they are going
to inspire you
to achieve. York
Against Cancer’s
Julie Russell
goes to weekly
meetings of the
BNI. She talks
about the work
of the charity
and meets other
people from
various types
of businesses.
Darren Housley
Darren Housley
recently joined the BNI and after hearing Julie
talk about her job he was inspired. He is going to
run six races for York Against Cancer this year.
Darren Housley ,45, has only been involved with
the BNI for a couple of months but he says he
was impressed by Julie’s passion for York Against
Cancer and what the charity does. He understands
what living with cancer can mean as his mother
has had treatment for throat cancer. He is now
training to do four 10k races in Hull, York and
AZZYh!i]ZH]Z[ÐZaY]Va[bVgVi]dc!i]Z<gZVi
North Run and the York Marathon. He calls them
“My Big 6”.
“I think York Against Cancer do fantastic work for
eZdeaZl]dVgZ^chjX]Y^[ÐXjaiX^gXjbhiVcXZh#
The charity is a lean organisation with the funds
going to the work they do. I really like Julie and
her passion; she really wants to make a difference.
I set myself some goals for this year, to improve
my health and do something for the community.
My grandparents are a great inspiration to me
they were very community spirited. They lived in
Vk^aaV\Zdci]Zdjih`^gihd[H]Z[ÐZaYVcY>heZciV
lot of time with them as a child. They got involved
in their community, for example my Grandfather
helped the village hall to be built. I aim to raise
£1,000 for York Against Cancer this year.”
“The BNI is about professional and personal
development. There is a common goal of getting
more business but it is not its sole purpose. The
camaraderie and the group dynamics is a lot of
fun and they are very supportive.” Darren is a
Business Development Manager at Annecto UK
which provides a range of Chip & Pin terminals for
retail environments.
Darren has made a lot of changes to his life to get
ÐiiZgVcY]ZVai]^Zg#=ZdcXZjhZYidWZ''hidcZ
but he joined Slimming World and lost 6 stone.
It was his competitive nature that helped him.
>ci]ZÐghilZZ`]ZadhiÐkZVcYV]Va[edjcYh!
in week two he lost 6 pounds and although he
was told he wouldn’t be able to keep this rate up
he continued losing 6 pounds in week 3, then in
week 4 and in week 5. He used to run as a young
man and did cross country for years at school.
However he stopped and didn’t run for 30 years.
As he explained you can’t run when you are 22
stone. But then he saw a photograph of himself.
He was living in France and a friend took a picture
d[]^b!]ZlVhÅ]dgg^ÐZYÆVcYYZX^YZY]ZcZZYZY
to do something. He returned to the UK and lived
in Easingwold from where he travelled to Tang
Hall to a branch of Slimming World. Darren has
since inspired others. He went on to run local
Slimming World groups himself because he found
he enjoyed helping other people. He has even
written a book about slimming. Darren took up
running and goes out training with someone he
met through the slimming group.
In 2012 he took part in the Great North Run 5k. He
admits he did little serious training but it inspired
him on to do the full Great North Run next time.
He was amazed at the encouragement other
runners gave him to spur him on. At the end of the
race he admits he said he would burn his running
shoes but a couple of days later he wanted to do
it again. “I saw the York Marathon but I was away
and missed it. This year I am doing it for York
Against Cancer and I want to push myself to do it
under 4 hours.”
“Running has given me a new lease of life. People
need to take action, seek out help and support.
You have to be brave. If you think you can do
something you are right. If you think you can’t
do it you’re right, it is about mind-set. I would
encourage people to get out there, people put
themselves down but you need to get out and try.
I once met Sally Gunnell she inspired me. It is
about the power of the mind, this has stuck
with me. ”
We will be cheering Darren on as he does all
his runs including the York Marathon for
York Against Cancer. We are very grateful to
everyone who pushes themselves physically
to raise money for us. Darren is training on
the roads through all weather and various
Y^hiVcXZhid`ZZeÐiVcYVcnhedchdgh]^e[dg]^h
BIG 6 challenge will go to help other people’s
health. Thank you Darren and good luck.
5
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03/03/2014 16:17
YAC Education
Further education
School revision
This year we are re-launching our Primary School
Education Packs. Sophie Tams, a local Primary
School acting Assistant Head and two other
members of the York Against Cancer Education
Committee, Keith Hayton and John Molyneux
(both retired teachers), have been updating the
packs. With changes to the National Curriculum
and Information Technology it was felt that we
needed to ensure the packs were still relevant
and current. This initiative has been made
available to York schools as part of the charities
ongoing commitment to health education.
Keith Hayton explains, “We are becoming
more aware of how healthy living can be a
real defence against many forms of cancer
in later life. Therefore the importance of
understanding about a healthy lifestyle, as
well as living one, should be developed as
early as possible.”
Each year a member of York Against Cancer’s
Education Committee attends both the York
St. John University and the York College
Volunteers Fairs in the Autumn term.
-
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young a
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healthy
Sophie Tams has trialled the packs
which are formatted to accommodate the
various age groups and run alongside
the curriculum for each class year.
Sophie has now aligned it with the
www.y
present day curriculum. She also found
orkaga
instcan
that some of the activities could be
cer.org
.uk
developed. The work she did has made it a more
practical teaching course. An example of one
activity to teach children about the importance
of keeping clean is to cover their hands in glitter
“We realised that even since we initially did the
and they can see that like germs the glitter
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spreads and how they need to be thorough in
available using computers. The facility to use
washing their hands to get it off. It was also found
computers for pupils has developed so quickly, we
that some of the internet references needed
needed to ensure we were up to date.”
changing and updating. As Keith comments, “the
educational games on the computer were popular
The new improved packs will be available to
and the children did them quickly, and it was good
download on our new York Against Cancer website.
to see an educational use for a computer game!”
At these events we provide a display of all the
advisory and healthy lifestyle publications
produced by YAC, along with details and
pamphlets relating to the work done and
services provided by the charity. We not only
explain to students the role and work of the
charity, but also what it has achieved in the
eVhiilZcinÐkZnZVgh#
A large number of students express their
interest in the charity and many take away
a variety of information and promotional
materials. We also discuss ways in which the
students may be able to help out with various
events and general fund raising. As a result
there have always been a handful of students
willing to be contacted should their assistance
be required over the remainder of that year.
registered
charity
number:
113083
5
Fresh faced for 2014
on the web. The website will keep everyone up
to date with our current news and forthcoming
events. Relevant information about cancer and
igZVibZcihl^aaWZi]ZgZVhlZaaVhaZVÑZihVcY
forms for our services eg the holiday home at
Whitby. There will be photographs of our events
and the people involved in York Against Cancer.
Julie Russell is the General Manager and has
organised the new website;
York Against Cancer is launching their website.
From April the new look site will be online for
people to view. The decision to change the look
and information on our website was taken as
the charity has developed and more information
about what we do needs to be accessible. We hope
that the new site will be of interest to our current
supporters and also be easy to use for people
looking for our help or who want to help us. We
have always tried to move with the times and
get involved in changing trends like Twitter and
Facebook and felt it was time to refresh our image
ÅHdbjX]]Vh]VeeZcZYh^cXZlZÐghiaVjcX]ZY
our website. The charity has changed in that it
does even more to try and help patients living with
cancer. We still have the core aims of care, research
and education, but within each of those three
areas we have expanded and we wanted to ensure
ZkZgndcZXdjaYÐcYdjiVWdjiVaadjghZgk^XZh#I]Z
internet is the fastest growing method of people
ÐcY^c\dji^c[dgbVi^dcVcYcZlh0^ih^bedgiVcXZ
in people’s lives can’t be underestimated. Making
changes has meant we can show more of our work,
XaZVganVcYZ[ÐX^Zcian^cV[g^ZcYandeZclVn#LZ
hope you will have a look and tell us what you
think …together we can make a difference.”
Please go online this April meet
some of the team and catch up
with the latest
www.yorkagainstcancer.org.uk
Tickets, £12 for adults and £10 for concessions,
can be obtained from the York Against Cancer
D[ÐXZ!(&Cdgi]BddgGdVY!=jci^c\idc!Ndg`
YO32 9QN, telephone 01904 764466 or by
ZbV^a/d[ÐXZ5ndg`V\V^chiXVcXZg#dg\#j`#
6
62759_Newsletter_SPRING_2014_8pp.indd 6
03/03/2014 16:17
YAC Fundraising
The Castle Howard
Triathlon
Triathlon is the fastest growing sport in the world.
With this new trend of triathletes it is a great
fundraising platform with many taking part doing
it for a charity or good cause. York Against Cancer
is the chosen local charity partner again this
year, recognising the value we bring to the local
community and the essential research into cancer.
We hope to have teams taking part to further raise
djgegdÐaZVcY`ZZcid]VkZkdajciZZgh]Zae^c\
at the event. The Castle Howard Triathlon has a
trading places scheme which offers a free race
place in return for free time marshalling at the
event.
Record numbers are signing up for our partner
event, The Castle Howard Triathlon (Saturday 26th
/ Sunday 27th?jan'%&)#Cdl^c^ihÐ[i]nZVgi]Z
event has become well established on the annual
triathlon calendar and will be featured within a
Channel 4 programme of the Series in the Autumn.
Known for its idyllic setting and motivational
course the event attracted over 1,200 competitors
aVhinZVg[gdbÐghii^bZghVcYX]^aYgZc!idZa^iZ
performers and ages 7 to 70!
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There is a race for everyone with distances
including Junior, Sprint, Mid-Distance and
Olympic. Open to individuals and relay teams
it is a great opportunity to set yourself a new
X]VaaZc\Z!\ZiÐil^i]ndjg[g^ZcYhdggV^hZ
money for charity. Although it can be perceived
as an elite sport, it is actually very accessible for
many families who enjoy swimming, cycling
VcYgjcc^c\V_d\^hVahdÐcZ#I]^hnZVgi]Z
event has extended to a two-day triathlon festival
including hog roast, live bands and archery, likely
to be the largest children’s triathlon in the North
VcYaVjcX]^c\^ihÐghi]Va[^gdcY^hiVcXZ!I]Z
Gauntlet for those who want a longer race.
45 years of fundraising
Fundraisers from Dunnington have for 45
years, through more than one generation, given
hundreds of thousands of pounds to help cancer
patients in York. Since 1968 a group of village
residents have held events for charity. The
Dunnington Cancer Support Group started when
dcZd[i]ZÐghibZbWZghÈh^hiZgY^ZY[gdbXVcXZg#
Spearheaded by Mrs Gladys Clay with the help
of Mrs Mary Bradley, Mrs Nancy Sellers and
BghCVcXn6cYgZlhi]ZÐghiYdcVi^dcidX]Vg^in
was £2-10-00d. In 1997 the Dunnington Cancer
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York Against Cancer which contributed to opening
of the Cancer Care Unit at York Hospital. By
2009 the Dunnington group had raised a total of
£100,000 for York Against Cancer. Since then the
group continue to make donations to the charity
annually. They organised regular jumble sales,
coffee mornings and have opened a shop selling
other peoples unwanted goods.
York swings
against Cancer
‘A Barrel of Laughs’
Following on from the hugely successful York
Rocks Against Cancer concert held in June
2013, York Against Cancer is extending its
entertainment arm with another event appealing
to all ages.
York Swings Against Cancer will be held in the
intimate surroundings of the Joseph Rowntree
Theatre on Sunday 18 May 2014 starting at
7.00pm.
With the upsurge of modern-day popular artists
turning their hand, well actually voices, to swing
music and remakes of popular classics regularly
selling well in music stores and online, the
dg\Vc^hZghd[NG68i]dj\]ii]ZgZlVhYZÐc^iZanV
need for a “swing night” in the city.
Ian Surgenor, backbone of the York Rocks
concert, realised there is a wealth of local talent
in the city to support such an event and called
on, new kid on the block, Tom Marlow to act
as Musical Director. Tom Marlow is currently
working on York Stage Musicals – ‘Phantom of
the Opera’- as their MD and he has hand-picked
the musicians who will perform on the night.
All the popular sounds of Glen Miller, Frank
Sinatra, Michael Bublé, Robbie Williams, Dean
Martin and many more will be
included on the night.
Pat Foster is the present secretary and one of
the longest serving members of the Group,
“It gives me great joy to see what our loyal helpers
have achieved throughout the years. From the
initial sadness we have found happiness and
[g^ZcYh]^e^c]Zae^c\di]Zgh#6Ðgb[djcYVi^dc
has been made and we know our younger
members will carry on into the future.”
York Against Cancer acknowledge all the hard
A publican and a teacher have come up with a
novel way to raise money for York Against Cancer.
Former York Schools and Easingwold Primary
School Teacher, Mr Chris Ellis, and local publican,
of 23 years, Mr Glenn Mimms, have produced a
book of Glenn’s life and times at ‘The Blacksmiths
Arms’, in Newton-on-Ouse. Entitled ‘A Barrel of
Laughs’, it includes anecdotes and stories of his
tenure and life, from a young boy, moving to the
village from Hull, to the public house in its current
guise and it includes many local “characters”.
As Chris explains,
“Whilst there are a couple of errors in the factual
nature of the writing and neither of us have any
h^\c^ÐXVcilg^i^c\ZmeZg^ZcXZdi]Zgi]Vcl^i]
Primary school age pupils!), it serves as an
entertaining insight into pub and village life. It
may never rival Chaucer or Shakespeare, but as a
down-to-earth, warts-and-all story, we are proud
of the book. It is a testament to one man’s life and
his vivid recollections of the role of publican in a
thriving village community. “
CASTLE HOWARD
For further details and online registration please
go to www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk or call The
Castle Triathlon Series team on 01892 870681.
work put in
by the group
over the years.
Their efforts
have enabled
the charity to
provide valuable
services to the
community,
as Julie Russell, General Manager, expresses,
“We are so thankful to the members past and
present of the Dunnington Cancer Support
Group. Their continued support has meant
so much to the charity and helped us provide
care, research and education projects in York.
Working together to help others in their
community we applaud the achievements of the
Dunnington Cancer Support Group. Thank you.”
Proceeds cover the cost of printing the book at
Inc Dot Design and Print in York with £1:50 from
each sale, going to York Against Cancer. No one is
egdÐi^c\[gdbVcnhVaZh!VeVgi[gdbi]ZV[dgZbZc"
tioned charity. The reason York Against Cancer
has been chosen is because Inc Dot’s Consultant,
John Turnbull, and his wife, Glenda live in Newton
on Ouse, and their daughter, Pascha, has been
battling a rare form of breast cancer for the last
ÐkZnZVgh#L]^ahii]ZXjggZciegd\cdh^h^hkZgn
positive for their daughter, John, Glenda, Chris and
Lesley felt that this was a very worthy cause and
one very much close to all their hearts. Without
Inc Dot, none of this would have been possible.
The pub has a long tradition of fundraising for
charities and has donated over £20,000 to local
causes in the last decade.
The book “Barrel of Laughs” is available
from the pub.
Glenn’s wife, Lesley, decided to print the story, in
book form, as a Christmas present to both men; but
the initial print run of 50 copies, sold out within
hours of going on sale so now more have been
ordered .
7
62759_Newsletter_SPRING_2014_8pp.indd 7
03/03/2014 16:17
YAC Cares
Introducing…
Angela Thornton
Angela is a Family Support Worker funded by
York Against Cancer. She started this job in 2009.
Angela is passionate about helping people; she
has worked in care for nearly 30 years. She is a
specialist palliative care social worker and helps
families looking after someone living with cancer.
Angela deals with families both where the patient
is coming to a positive end of curative treatment
and also sadly where a family may need prebereavement help. In either situation Angela’s
focus is on the children and what can be done to
best help them. Angela often liaises with schools
and local authorities and other organisations to
get the right help for the individual child. Her role
^hÐcY^c\hdaji^dchidegdWaZbh0^i^hd[iZch]dgi
term work until a family can normalize things. As
Angela explains it is about “keeping normality for
the patient and the children, they do not want to
breathe cancer every moment of every day. Within
just one family there are different approaches
and people to help eg. a secondary school pupil,
a primary aged child and a spouse. I can be an
intermediary, exploring the organisations to help
[Vb^a^ZhÐcYi]Z^glVn#>ib^\]iWZid]Zae\ZiV
hX]ddajc^[dgbid\Zi]ZgdgÐcYV\gVciidegdk^YZ
support. What I do is specialised, I am unique in
that I advocate for the children and give them a
voice. I listen to the children.”
Angela has been involved in social work since she
was 14 when she began working in residential
homes. At 19 she got a job at a day centre for
people with physical disabilities. She then went
on to manage a 40 bed elderly residential home.
Her career then led her to become a Senior
8VgZD[ÐXZgldg`^c\l^i]eZdeaZl^i]aZVgc^c\
disabilities in the community. In 1995 she
became a Social Worker and worked with the
local authority as part of a Care Management
Team for 3 years. She also worked as part of a
government initiative looking at
the social reasons of long term
usage of anti-depressants looking
at “Support not Pills”. Angela was
also involved in a Care Support
Scheme helping carers who were
looking after people with life
limiting illnesses, predominately
cancer. In 2008 she moved from
Hull, where she was born, to York.
A year later she became part of
the York Against Cancer team.
An average week for Angela can
include multi-agency meetings
with hospital staff, consultants,
and hospice representatives.
She makes referrals to different
agencies eg. the young carer’s
project or local authorities. She
also works with grandparents. She
sometimes deals with the legal
side of arrangements to give peace
of mind about a child’s future
looking at parental responsibility after a death.
Her focus is safeguarding children. Her job is part
time but her 22 hours are very full and Angela is
dedicated to what she does.
“I am honoured to be in the place I am, with people
^cY^[ÐXjaii^bZhVcY^[>XVc]Zae^chbVaalVnhÃ
it makes me humbled to help in the last few days
or years to work with individual families. If the
patient is in remission or at the end of curative
treatment I can help support them move on in
the short term until they are with other support
networks. I am fortunate to work with individual
[Vb^a^ZhÐcY^c\djil]Vii]ZncZZYVii]Vii^bZ#
I want to bring hope, reduce the burden people
carry, just to be there so they can express their
worries – take a little off their shoulders.
As a social worker I can approach life sensitively
whereas sometimes other professionals don’t have
the time or experience to know how to approach a
concerned individual. There is a certain skill with
YAC Mini bus service
Heather Atkinson began working for York Against
Cancer in April. Part of Heather’s job is organising
the charity’s minibus service. Heather is
responsible for liaising between passengers and St
James University Hospital in Leeds to ensure they
are able to get to their radiotherapy appointments.
=ZVi]Zg^hi]ZÐghied^cid[XVaa[dgeVhhZc\Zgh!
she organises where and when a passenger will be
picked up and dropped off.
Heather decided to experience the Minibus service
herself to get a greater understanding of what it
means to people. In September she spent the day
on the bus with driver, Graham Bradbury.
=ZVi]ZglVhe^X`ZYje[gdbi]Zd[ÐXZ^c
Huntington taking a seat at the front of the bus.
They drove around picking up patients locally
in the village and then went out to Haxby,
Strensall, and Acomb. It took about 90 minutes
from getting on the bus to arriving at the Bexley
Wing at St James Hospital. Whilst the patients
were attending their appointments Heather was
given a tour of the facilities and treatment rooms.
She was also shown the booking system, the
different stages of the treatment patients receive
and how the whole process works. This gave
Heather a better understanding of what happens
Heather dropping off at St James University Hospital
to the patients and also the technical aspects of
gVY^di]ZgVen#L]ZcZkZgndcZ]VYÐc^h]ZYi]Zn
all met back up in the reception area to get
on the bus home.
“I found the whole experience interesting. It was
actually good fun as everyone was happy having
a laugh on the bus, there was lots of joking. The
passengers all seemed quite close it was like they
had been friends for years. I think it surprised me
just how light hearted and friendly everyone was,
even though I had been told that the passengers
Angela outside the YAC shop
words and mannerisms, you can use humour, and
you get to know if you can have a laugh or share a
bit of personal information.”
“I have always had a passion to help people, to
never just see the person’s problems but to see the
individual as a whole. Now I use my experience
through education teaching students.
When she is not working Angela is happy caring
for her pets. She is a big animal lover. Angela
shares her home with an old cross-border collie
dog whose coat is unusually all white and a black
Labrador. Angela likes walking and camping
enjoying nature and wildlife all over Britain.
York Against Cancer is proud to fund the
job that Angela does helping local families
VcYX]^aYgZci]gdj\]Y^[ÐXjaii^bZh#=Zg
caring nature and commitment to her role
is an asset to the work of the charity.
do form a bond. Some did talk about
their experiences a little but not in
great detail, it seemed more like a day
trip than a hospital visit. It was nice
to see everyone, smiling and enjoying
each other’s company despite the
purpose of the trip.
I think the service is fantastic. People
are often ringing me and calling
^cidi]Zd[ÐXZidi]Vc`jh[dgi]Z
service and they tell me how much
it helped them to get through their
treatment. The drivers are always
being complimented on how fabulous
they are too, they are always cheerful and upbeat
which really helps the atmosphere on the bus. “
Heather was relatively new to working for
York Against Cancer when she went on the
b^c^Wjh#H]ZÐcYh]Zg_dW[jaÐaa^c\VcY_d^c^c\
the passengers gave her a deeper sense of the
importance of the charities minibus service.
“I think it would be great to get a new bus to
ensure the future comfort of passengers. It is a
worthwhile service that must be kept going. “
8
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