Wednesday, 6 April

Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group

Newsletter April 2016

We are sad to record the death of OPCSG member Peter Collett and extend our condolences to his wife and family.

AGM REPORT

Following my appeals for members to join the Committee things turned out really well on the night of the AGM, and a new Secretary was elected – welcome to Mike Warner, as well as Martin Graves who joined as a committee member.  George Goldsmith is seen here being thanked by President Dave Beesley for his five years of dedicated service, as were Gwilym and Ruth Mason who were standing down after making a big contribution in the last two years.  After the AGM the 72 members present heard interesting presentations from consultants Simon Brewster and Dr. Andrew Protheroe, who have both agreed to return next year.

SATURDAY 16 APRIL AT OUFC – ANY MORE VOLUNTEERS?

Once again we will be working with PCUK’s football league prostate cancer awareness campaign, distributing leaflets and collecting donations at Oxford United’s match against Luton Town on 16 April.  We already have a number of volunteers.  If anyone else can spare an afternoon, you will need to be at the Kassam Stadium by 2 p.m., and you’ll get a free ticket to the match after we’ve done our thing.  Please contact me if you can help.

PSA CONSENSUS GUIDELINES

The major charity Prostate Cancer UK has spent a year developing guidance, with and for GPs and practice nurses, on better use of the PSA test in men without symptoms.  It provides greater clarity in the area of risk assessment.  The ‘Consensus statements on PSA testing in asymptomatic men in the UK’ are a set of recommendations for health professionals containing a list of guidelines to help them better support men to decide whether or not to have a PSA test and when and how often this should happen.  You can read the 13 consensus guidelines here:

http://prostatecanceruk.org/PSAconsensus

18 APRIL QUIZ NIGHT

The next group meeting is the quiz night on Monday 18 April, held as usual at Oxford Golf Club, 6.30 for 7.00 p.m.  We mentioned previously that it would have a St. George theme: that has been put on one side and it will be a simple picture quiz, an enjoyable evening to have some fun.  Please come and support.

‘RUSSIA AND EUROPE: WHAT NOW?’  TALK IN FINSTOCK 22 APRIL IN AID OF OPCSG

Come and support OPCSG by buying tickets for a fascinating talk: ‘Russia and Europe: What next?’ by renowned traveller and writer John Pilkington.  When? Friday 22 April at 7.30 p.m.  Where? Finstock Village Hall.  Tickets can be ordered £8 each from Mike Breakell, mjbreakell@aol.com, 01993 868201.  Proceeds to OPCSG and PCUK.   A flyer advertising the event is attached to the email with this Newsletter.

TIME TO BOOK YOUR PLACE FOR THE RIVER CRUISE!     SUNDAY 26 JUNE

Our two river cruises have been incredibly popular and I’m sure this year’s will be too.  It takes place on Sunday 26 June, 2.30 to 5.30 p.m., and will start this time from Wallingford so that we see a different stretch of the river.  There will of course be cream teas and a bar, with jazz provided once again by Mike Wills and his friends.  The cost will be £11 per person.  Let me know now if you’d like to reserve places (contact details below).  Payment will be due by the end of May and in the next Newsletter we’ll give details of how to pay.

OPCSG’S MARCH PUBLICITY AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

If you read any of the Newsquest papers (Oxford Mail, Times, Witney Gazette etc.) I hope that you saw the leaflet we distributed with the papers throughout the county in March.  It encouraged men to discuss the PSA test with their GP.  48,000 leaflets were distributed.  We got a lot of phone and email enquiries as a result, and we hope – but cannot measure – that many men decided to consult their GPs.  Thanks to Newsquest for the generous discount they gave us for printing and distribution of the leaflets.

MALE INCONTINENCE PRODUCTS OFFER

OPCSG member Andrew Dent has some surplus male pads and protective underwear which he is happy to offer to members at half price.  Details are below.  Andrew’s contact details: andrew@acorne.co.uk, 07860 378429.  Please contact him directly if interested.  He will deliver in Oxfordshire.  Here is what is available:

Tena Men Level 3 Super Pads, two off cartons of 6 x 16 RRP £52.58 exc VAT each

Tena Men Protective Underwear Level 4, one off carton of 8 x 10 RRP £58.28 exc VAT

ABSEIL FOR THE CHURCHILL SURGICAL UNIT APPEAL ON SUNDAY 19 JUNE

Looking for a new adventure - a day you won't forget?

Sign up and be sponsored for the OUH Trust’s hospital abseil on Sunday 19 June 2016.

The 100ft abseil, from the top of the Women's Centre at the John Radcliffe Hospital, costs just £20 to enter, and is open to hospital supporters, patients, and staff across the Trust - anyone aged over 18 and medically fit can take part. It's great fun, and you can enter either on your own or with a team of family, friends or colleagues.

The vast majority of patients undergoing surgery for prostate cancer will spend time in the Churchill’s Day Surgery Unit. The OUH Trust is embarking on a project to expand and redesign the unit, and its charity is aiming to raise funds to help make this new space more comfortable with significantly better privacy for male and female patients.  Part of the proceeds of sponsorship for this event will go towards the redesign of the Day Surgery Unit.

To take part, please either download and complete this leaflet: http://www.ouh.nhs.uk/charity/events/documents/abseil-2016.pdf or contact the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charity on 01865 743 444 or charity@ouh.nhs.uk.

MACMILLAN CANCER CARE: FREE HEALTH AND WELLBEING EVENT 15 JUNE 0930-1500

The King's Centre, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES

Sessions on:

  • Designing your personalised healthy living action plan
  • Physical activity for your recovery & long term health
  • Practical strategies to support your overall wellbeing
  • Meet and talk to Oxfordshire health and wellbeing services

Event and lunch provided by Macmillan Cancer Support – see flyer attached to this email

Limited places available       Book before 1st June to secure your place

To book please contact Pagon Gregory:  Telephone 01904 756443 Email: pgregory@macmillan.org.uk

AWARENESS EVENTS THIS YEAR – COME AND HAVE A DAY OUT HELPING OPCSG

Can you spare an afternoon or a few hours to help us handing out leaflets, talking to passers-by, and enjoying an event?  OPCSG will be at the following events this summer.  If you can spare some time, please contact John Goldsmith on 01865 580152.  You get free entry to any of these events, and time to enjoy the show while you are there.

Saturday 16 April – at Oxford United FC vs Luton Town (we need at least 12 to 14 collectors for this event)

8 May – Wallingford Car Rally; 29 June – Cassington Bike Night; 23 July – Witney Vintage Steam Fest;

28 August – White Horse Show, Uffington

DATES FOR YOUR DAIRY 2016 – MEETINGS AND SOCIAL

The committee have agreed the following dates in 2016:

18 April quiz night; 20 June UCare; Sunday 26 June river cruise from Wallingford; 12 September Macmillan Cancer Care; 17 October tbc; 10 December skittles. 

More details will follow nearer the time of each event.

CONFIDENTIALITY

You are receiving this Newsletter because you asked to go on our mailing list.  We would like to assure you that OPCSG will never reveal contact details (email, phone number) to third parties unless you authorise us to do so.  If you no longer wish to receive this Newsletter please let me know on john@grundybell.demon.co.uk or 01865 730110.  For news updates keep an eye on our website at www.opcsg.org.

John Grundy                                                                                     Chairman, OPCSG