Meet a volunteer

'I decided to become a Breast Cancer Care volunteer after having used the Helpline myself shortly after being diagnosed in 1996. I was very apprehensive waiting to make my first support call but then I thought – I can do this – and made the call.

'My first call went well and I felt an overwhelming feeling of having achieved something very worthwhile. My second call was with a lady who was feeling very isolated having just started her treatment of chemotherapy and wanted to talk to someone.

'She told me all her fears and thoughts. At the end of the call she was so grateful for having been given the opportunity to talk it over. I continued to support her on a weekly basis until she completed all her treatment, which included radiotherapy.

'My contacts through the breast care nurses at the hospital where I was diagnosed and treated have been very helpful. This was helped by the fact I had started to run a breast cancer support group.

'The breast care nurses speak to newly-diagnosed people to see if they need support either on a one-to-one basis or as part of a group.

'The nurses have been very supportive to me and willing to help in any way possible. One of the ladies I supported was so grateful she is now a very valued member of the support group.

'She still needs occasional support, which I am more than happy to help with, and I feel that the help is working for her.

'For anyone who feels they would like to become a Breast Cancer Care volunteer, the training is quite intensive but you meet a lot of very nice people all willing to help and form lasting friendships.'
Breast Cancer Volunteer, 2009