24/11/2024 A great Christmas FundraiserStalbridge Cancer and Recovery Support held their annual Westlands Christmas Fayre last weekend. Founder, Tracy White said: "I am so proud and delighted to confirm that the total raised from the Westlands event on Sunday 17th November, after deduction of the cost of £80.00 for tables is an incredible £748.00. I would like to personally thank my husband, Stephen White for his very hard work since early summer making the Reindeer, Snowmen and other wooden items which raised a brilliant £611.00 of the total raised. A thank you to the sister of Sandra Pearson of the SCARS committee and a member, whose beautiful handmade Christmas items raised £130.00 and Hailey Judges also of the SCARS Committee, whose handmade items raised £87.00. I would personally wish to thank June Harman, Lyn Robinson, Sandra and Hailey for all their efforts at the Westlands event yesterday, it was a long day but a great one chatting to so many wonderful people and to Westlands, Yeovil for our third year at your event which is always a really great one for SCARS. Kind regards, Tracy White"
8/10/2024 Our 10th AnniversaryAn address by Tracy Streetwelcoming everyone to SCARS 10th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday 19th October 2024 at Stalbridge HallMy name is Tracy Street, now retired but I used to be the Community Engagement Lead for Dorset with Macmillan Cancer Support. It is my pleasure to be here to today and to support SCARS and Tracy. 2024 marks a very special year for Tracy as it is the 10th anniversary of her setting up SCARS (Stalbridge Cancer & Recovery Support). Offering peer support to anyone affected by cancer, the chance to meet and share with others who have been through a similar experience in an informal and welcoming setting. It is also the 13th anniversary of her diagnosis of breast cancer. So briefly a bit of Tracy’s story and why SCARS is so important: Tracy’s cancer journey started in December 2010 when her precious Dog, Max, continually pressed his nose into her right breast. Tracy found a small lump when showering but decided to wait, however the lump started to get bigger and Max more persistent in nuzzling her breast. So, a visit to the GP was booked for the end of February. This GP visit triggered an urgent referral to the Ladybird Unit at Poole Hospital on the 9th of March and 5 hours of various tests confirmed that Tracy had invasive ductal cancer to the right breast. The Consultant booked a lumpectomy, to remove the tumour, this was performed on the 29th of March. Surgery was followed by Chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Tracy’s cancer was confirmed as a rare Triple Negative and, as she had a strong family history of maternal grandfather, his mother and sister dying of breast cancer, Tracy was sent for Genetic Testing. The BRCA 2 gene mutation was confirmed meaning that she had an 80% risk of cancer in occurring in the left breast and a 70% risk of ovarian cancer. Preventative treatment meant that Tracy underwent a total hysterectomy in January 2012 and then a bilateral mastectomy (both breasts removed) and reconstruction undertaken at Salisbury Hospital by the Breast Surgeons and Plastic Surgeon in October 2012. This was 12 hours surgery which almost cost her life as a huge blood loss led to the need for Tracy to be resuscitated followed by 2 days in ICU and 7 days on the ward. A traumatic and difficult time for Tracy, her family and friends. As I am sure you can only imagine, recovery from the shock of diagnosis and the trauma of treatment, took a huge toll but in early 2014 Tracy made the decision to think and plan how to give something back, to provide the support and information that Tracy felt would have helped her in her own local community and not just at the Hospital. The seeds of SCARS were starting to be sown. Things started to progress and in 2014 Tracy was invited by Collette of St Mary’s to join her in her work to ‘Paint the Town Pink’ for Breast Cancer Care (now Breast Cancer Now) and SCARS held its first drop in at The Conservatory, Williams Cafe, at Dikes Supermarket in Stalbridge. The rest as they say is history and this month, we celebrate that SCARS has reached the milestone10-year anniversary, a great achievement. We also celebrate the support that has been given and received by the group during that time. Congratulations. The importance of peer support for anyone who receives a cancer diagnosis, as well as the family and friends of those diagnosed, cannot be under estimated. The shared experience, you may not have exactly the same cancer, treatment, feelings or experience but there is something about being able to be with others who understand what you have been through and how you feel physically and emotionally, the loss of sense of self and the person we once were. You do not need to talk about your cancer, how you feel, your emotions or physical scars but if you need to there are people who understand, to listen, be non-judgemental and to give their support. It can take many years for some to be able to talk about their feelings, fear, challenges and adjusting to their “new normal”. Running any group is not without its challenges and for those with health issues this can be even more difficult as well as more rewarding. Cancer can be devastating and life changing, to face the diagnosis and recovery can be isolating and frightening, to meet and share with others can provide comfort, support wellbeing, help to rebuild self-worth and confidence. I worked for over 20 years in the community, listening to the stories of those affected by cancer, the need to be able to access local non clinical support, the need to be with others who understand how you feel. To laugh, to cry, to share and just to be. Over the years I have built good relationships with cancer support and self-help groups, learnt a huge amount from the founders and members and have seen the positive benefits for all members, patients, carers, family members and colleagues. Also, the positive effect to the local community through helping to support what is an “asset”, a benefit to local people. There is so much to be gained for the community in supporting and encouraging such groups, enriching knowledge and embracing the quality of life and wellbeing for the whole community. I have also seen the struggles for these groups to survive, lack of funding, misunderstanding of what a peer support group can provide and how much can be gained from attending. The endless passion and drive needed to keep going to be able to sustain the group. The fear holding people back from stepping through the door, the fear of referral. The lack of wider acceptance. Tracy has faced many challenges in her life but has so much love and passion in wishing to be able to provide a safe space to support others, she comes from that place of knowledge and understanding. Over the years I have worked with SCARS and watched as the group has developed and grown. Tracy has had highs and lows but she never gives up and remains determined in seeing SCARS continue to support people affected by cancer in the Stalbridge area. Once again congratulations on 10 years, an amazing achievement. I am sure you will all join together to wish SCARS the best for the next 10 years. Thank you. 30/7/2024 All the funds of the fairThe SCARS team set up our stall on Saturday 20th July at this year's Marnfest. The Marnhull Fest was first put on in 2000 to celebrate the new millennium and has been a solid feature in this Dorset village ever since. We ran a tombola this year and raised £98. Thank you to all those who participated, and to the team of volunteers who ran the stall.
Also in July we received a welcome boost to our funds from Stalbridge Community Shop in the High Street. The staff at SCS, all volunteers, work tirelessly to be able to donate profits to worthy causes and we are extremely grateful to receive such a kind and generous donation from them towards our funds, helping us to continue to support anyone in the local community with a cancer diagnosis; a cancer survivor; or family or friends of someone living with cancer. We are a self funded, independent peer support group, serving the local community and we are proud to be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of our group this year.
So how can we help you?
Call 07961 027089 (our dedicated group mobile) (Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm ) 13/11/2023 Christmas comes early"It's always nice to receive an early Christmas present, and we got one recently at our annual Christmas Event on Sunday 12th November at Westlands Leisure Centre in Yeovil. After a fantastic day selling our lovely range of Christmas gifts a total of £488.00 was raised for SCARS! This is a great boost, which allows us to continue to support local cancer patients, survivors, family & friends with our peer support work. This event was a great success for us, just like last year with our very popular wooden reindeer and an amazing selection of gifts and crafts all made by SCARS committee members, family and friends. I would like to say a huge thank you to the committee for all their hard work on the day and into the future. This tops off a great year of fundraising for the group".
Tracy White- FounderSCARS remains committed to ensuring that all cancer patients particularly those in semi-rural locations are given the same level of care and support as those who are in larger towns and cities, this forms a great deal of the ‘behind the scenes’ work over and above the peer support. It is vital that we continue to fundraise as this year our running costs stand at £1,500.00, including our public liability, website hosting, the monthly hire fee for the Stalbridge drop in and our mobile phone. Any suggestions for fundraising or offers to fundraise on behalf of SCARS would be gratefully received along with offers to volunteer at the various SCARS events so do contact us via our website at www.scarscancerandrecoverysupport.co.uk. 9/10/2023 Kind Words
6/8/2023 Scars News- August 2023Brew & Bake!SCARS are holding a Brew & Bake event for Prostate Cancer on Saturday 23rd September 2023 at Henstridge Village Hall from 10am to 1pm. All funds raised will be shared 50/50 between Prostate Cancer and SCARS. We will be selling hot beverages and a lovely selection of homemade cakes.
North Dorset Prostate Cancer Support Group was started with the belief that every single one of us is resilient, and that our resilience can be fostered with the help and support of a community. Our members provide the place and space for personal growth, self-reflection, learning, and bonding. We invite you to find out more information and hope you will join us.
The group meets on the last Friday of each month (excluding December) at 7:30pm at Gillingham Methodist Church, High Street, Gillingham, SP8 4AG. SCARS are an independent, self funding peer support group Call 07961 027089 (our dedicated group mobile) (Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm ) 22/5/2023 SCARS Fundraising in 2023SCARS Fundraising in 2023
16/5/2023 Annual Report 2022-2023SCARS Founder and Chairperson Tracy White delivered the Annual Report this year at The Annual Town Meeting in Stalbridge, held at Stalbridge Hall on Wednesday 10th May 2023.
"Firstly, Stalbridge Cancer & Recovery Support would like to take this opportunity to thank Stalbridge Town Council for the invite to attend at this year’s Annual Town Meeting."
Tracy White has continued to work directly with Macmillan as well as having contacts within Yeovil & Dorset County Hospitals, and the Social Prescribers in Sherborne and Sturminster Newton. This work is immensely important for all cancer patients as it has flagged up areas within the various NHS providers where important information is not necessarily being shared as it should be. This type of work is vital to ensure continuity of care and support for all who have received a cancer diagnosis and she is immensely proud that we can be a part of this important work going forward. Tracy White remains committed to ensuring that all cancer patients particularly those in semi-rural locations are given the same level of care and support as those who are in larger towns and cities, this forms a great deal of the ‘behind the scenes’ work over and above the peer support. It is vital that we continue to fundraise as this year our running costs stand at £1,500.00, these include our public liability, website hosting, the monthly hire fee for the Stalbridge drop in and our mobile phone. The accounts are audited at the end of each financial year, and these can be viewed at any time by contacting Mrs June Harman. Any suggestions for fundraising or offers to fundraise on behalf of SCARS would be gratefully received along with offers to volunteer at the various SCARS events so do contact us via our website at www.scarscancerandrecoverysupport.co.uk. SHERBORNE
As many of you may remember from the Town Meeting last year, SCARS had secured a second drop-in group at The Communal Room, Manor Park, Sherborne. Our first year has gone well and we have regular attendees, and we continue to work closely with Social Prescribers within The Grove, The Apples and Yetminster surgeries ensuring all patients with a cancer diagnosis are given our information and encouraged to consider peer support for their long-term well-being. STALBRIDGE DROP-IN The growth of the Stalbridge Drop-In has remained strong with new members attending regularly. We currently have a lovely chap who joined us in early 2022 who travels from Castle Cary each month as he feels that the peer support and friendship of the Stalbridge group has been an asset to him giving him a safe space to talk about his feelings with people who understand. In late 2022 a member who had been with SCARS since 2014 sadly passed away which was very upsetting for all. He was a good friend to us all as was his wife therefore it was imperative that support was offered to her to ensure that she did not feel alone at that sad time, and we continue to offer support to her. A Holistic Fayre was held at Stalbridge Village Hall in 2022 to raise funds for the continued running of the peer support group which was a great success and was enjoyed by all. In late November SCARS attended the Christmas event at Westlands in Yeovil selling many different Christmas items which was a huge success, so we have booked a place to attend again this year with our varied Christmas wares.
No-one need face cancer alone. Meet other people who understand the challenges a cancer diagnosis can bring.
Find out more about our support group, allowing you to take 'Time Out' in a friendly, confidential and comfortable environment. Are you, or someone you know living with Cancer? SCARS is here to support anyone with a cancer diagnosis; a cancer survivor; or family or friends of someone living with cancer. SCARS are an independent, self funding peer support group Call 07961 027089 (our dedicated group mobile) (Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm ) 5/3/2023 Open Day in SherborneStalbridge Cancer & Recovery Support invite you to
COME ALONG TO OUR OPEN DAY & MEET OUR FRIENDLY TEAM, HERE TO OFFER YOU HELP & SUPPORT. REFRESHMENTS INCLUDED. No-one need face cancer alone. Meet other people who understand the challenges a cancer diagnosis can bring. Find out more about our support group, allowing you to take 'Time Out' in a friendly, confidential and comfortable environment. Are you, or someone you know living with Cancer? SCARS is here to support anyone with a cancer diagnosis; a cancer survivor; or family or friends of someone living with cancer. WEDNESDAY 29TH MARCH, 11am to 4pm at THE COMMUNITY ROOM, MANOR COURT, NEWLAND, SHERBORNE, DORSET DT9 3JX LONG 50.950238 LAT -2.514110 WHAT3WORDS ADDRESS: https://w3w.co/mount.yacht.butterfly Please note that there is no parking at Manor Court for the Sherborne Drop in. Please use the public car parks nearby. SCARS are an independent, self funding peer support group
Call 07961 027089 (our dedicated group mobile) (Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm ) 23/1/2023 Tracy talks to Abbey 104SCARS founder Tracy White was recently interviewed on Abbey 104 Radio Station, broadcast on Friday 20th January. You can listen to the interview here by clicking on the play button below
Interview used by kind permission of Abbey 104 radio.
SCARS are an independent, self funding peer support group that was set up in October 2014 by Tracy White, herself a cancer survivor, with the aim of welcoming all cancer patients, survivors, family & friends and to offer support to each other. SCARS currently meets for 'Drop ins' in Stalbridge and Sherborne. view our calendar on the Friendly Drop In page to find out more.
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SCARS are an independent, self funding peer support group.
Call 07961 027089 (our dedicated group mobile) (Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm )
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Call 07961 027089 (our dedicated group mobile) (Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm )
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