Patients living with upper gastrointestinal or hepatobiliary cancer are invited to a monthly support group to meet others in a similar situation.
Maggie’s Oldham is located within the grounds of The Royal Oldham Hospital and is a centre for those living with cancer, their loved ones and carers.
There is space to be alone, meet other people living with cancer or speak with specialists who have expert knowledge about cancer treatment, and many are NHS trained.
The monthly UGI/HPB group (relating to cancer of the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, liver, bile duct or gallbladder) is open to anyone in Greater Manchester to share experiences and receive expert advice.
Leah Hamilton, Macmillan UGI/HPB cancer support worker, said: “My colleague Jeanette and myself are very grateful to the staff at the Maggie’s cancer centre at Royal Oldham Hospital. The patients that attend really enjoy meeting at the warm and welcoming environment that Maggie’s Oldham provides. The staff are always available to offer advice and support to our patients.”
There is no need to book, you can just turn up at the meeting. The group takes place on the last Thursday of the month, with the next one taking place on Thursday 26 September from 1.30pm-3pm.
Trish Morgan, Maggie’s Oldham centre head, said: “Providing a tumour specific support group at Maggie’s Oldham enables those with cancer and their loved ones the opportunity to meet others with a cancer diagnosis similar to their own, from diagnosis through their pathway, supported by the HPB/Upper GI clinical team.
“Those attending will also receive the emotional, practical and psychological support we provide at Maggie’s Oldham.
“We welcome other tumour specific groups with cancer at Maggie’s to ensure that people and their loved ones are not alone on their cancer journey.”
There is also a hepatobiliary cancer support group at Maggie's Manchester, located opposite The Christie. Their next meeting is Tuesday 24 September, from 11am-12.30pm.
- For more information about the group in Oldham please contact your clinical team members Jeanette on 0161 778 5161 or Leah on 0161 778 5450, or contact Maggie’s Oldham on 0161 989 0550.
- For more information about the Manchester group please contact Maggie’s Manchester on 0161 641 4848 or speak to a member of staff at the centre.