News & Events:
Next Meetings
Due to the current extraordinary situation caused by the COVID-19 virus all planned meetings are cancelled.
However, we will continue to provide support for breast cancer patients, via phone and our Facebook site.
If you would like a chat with one of our volunteers please email us and we will provide you with a number to call, or will arrange for someone to call you.
However, we will continue to provide support for breast cancer patients, via phone and our Facebook site.
If you would like a chat with one of our volunteers please email us and we will provide you with a number to call, or will arrange for someone to call you.
Important changes to cancer services at Good Hope Hospital during COVID-19 pandemic
As Good Hope Hospital was designated a COVID-19 hospital all treatments for breast cancer patients at Good Hope Hospital ceased, with the exception of blood tests, with patients treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, and at Solihull Hospital, with some breast cancer operations also carried out at Spire Little Aston Hospital.
Chemotherapy services begin again at the Sheldon Unit at Good Hope on Tuesday 26th May, with new procedures to preserve social distancing.
We have recently been contacted by Mr Naren Basu, Consultant Oncoplastic Surgeon, who is the lead for Breast Services at the QE, Good Hope and Solihull Hospitals who informed Breast Friends of plans for changes to the services:
Having sought clarification on this issue Breast Friends have been advised that no formal approval has been given to this proposal and it is likely that such approval would only be given after some consultation. Whilst we recognise that some centralisation of services may be inevitable we will continue to monitor the situation and hope to be able to contribute to any consultation.
If you have any concerns you wish to discuss, Mr Basu will be happy to respond. He can be contacted on 07789397182 or email
[email protected]
Chemotherapy services begin again at the Sheldon Unit at Good Hope on Tuesday 26th May, with new procedures to preserve social distancing.
We have recently been contacted by Mr Naren Basu, Consultant Oncoplastic Surgeon, who is the lead for Breast Services at the QE, Good Hope and Solihull Hospitals who informed Breast Friends of plans for changes to the services:
- All breast cancer services at Good Hope Hospital to cease permanently, with the exception of chemotherapy.
- All breast cancer related patients to be referred to the QE and Solihull Hospitals, as happened at the height of the pandemic.
Having sought clarification on this issue Breast Friends have been advised that no formal approval has been given to this proposal and it is likely that such approval would only be given after some consultation. Whilst we recognise that some centralisation of services may be inevitable we will continue to monitor the situation and hope to be able to contribute to any consultation.
If you have any concerns you wish to discuss, Mr Basu will be happy to respond. He can be contacted on 07789397182 or email
[email protected]
Breast Friends chosen as Moor Hall's Charity of the Year, 2021
Breast Friends are delighted to have been chosen by Moor Hall Hotel as their charity of the year for 2021. We send our thanks to all involved.
Ian Paterson, disgraced surgeon
Following the publication of the report of the inquiry into the work of Ian Patterson there may be some people who still have personal queries. If you are unsure if you, or a relative, were operated on by this surgeon please get in touch with the Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) at Good Hope Hospital. If you believe that you have been adversely affected by his work then please fing 01384 327113 or email [email protected] .
Christmas Party 2019Our Christmas Party, held at Moor Hall Hotel on December 15th, was a themed 'Peaky Blinders' night.
As always, a fantastic time was had by all and an incredible £2000 was raised, so thanks to all concerned. You can find the full set of Luis Cedeno's photos here We are again grateful to him for this lovely reminder of a wonderful evening. |
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Memory TreeBreast Friends were delighted to contribute a tree to the Christmas Tree Festival at St Nicholas Church, Curdworth in December 2019. Ours was a Remembrance Tree, lovingly decorated with baubles by our own Gill Harris and friends.
We had a lovely group trip to the festival on December 8th. The trees were beautifully decorated, the star for us, of course, being our own (pictured right). The Curdworth WI gave us refreshments and we were entertained by wonderful soprano Linda Williams. A truly lovely afternoon remembering our departed loved ones. |
Jackie Benzecry - Royal Sutton Coldfield Volunteer of the Year, 2019
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Breast Friends is proud that our Chair, Jackie Benzecry, was chosen by Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council as their 2019 Volunteer of the Year. Congratulations on a well-deserved award Jackie.
Their official tribute reads: "In 1995 Jackie ... bravely began her battle against Grade 3 breast cancer which entailed a tough year of surgery and intensive treatment. It was through this difficult and courageous journey that a nurse at Good Hope Hospital asked Jackie if she would help to set up a support group. From there, she and fellow survivor Yvonne Hawkins decided to go one step further and in 1996 they set up the Breast Friends charity which provides emotional and practical support for other women with breast cancer. Over the last 23 years, ‘inspirational’ Jackie has shown true dedication, commitment, tenacity and tireless energy, raising an incredible £1.6million along the way to fund home help, laundry services, gardening, child care, wheelchairs, riser-recliners, stairlifts and small grants for those in need. |
Jackie's typlically selfless response was "The reason I can do what I do is because of the support around me. All of the ladies in Breast Friends have such a very special bond, because everyone is coming from the same direction and we’re all breast cancer survivors ... I’m not sorry for the way my life went, I have got so much out of it since. Being touched by cancer changes your whole perspective and that’s not always a bad thing. I’d like to particularly thank our Vice Chair Gill Harris, the late Sue Mills, who we all miss greatly, and my husband John for his support over the last two decades."
Festive Evening, 25 November 2019We all enjoyed our festive evening held at St Giles Centre on Monday 15th November 2019.
Lovely Ann Brown came along and prepared 6 beautiful festive arrangements, which we raffled off at the end of the evening. We all had a glass of wine and a mince pie, a great way to start the Christmas celebrations! |
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October Ball 2019Our October Mowtown ball featured tribute act “Baby Love” and was held in the beautiful Charter Ballroom at Moor Hall Hotel.
It was a fantastic night and just under £2000 was raised for Breast Friends. We send a big thank you to everyone involved and to our wonderful supporters for their generosity. The full set of Luis Cedeno's photos can be viewed here |
July Brunch eventBreast Friends held a “Brunch with Fizz” at Gusto Restaurant, Mere Green on 6 July 2019. Everyone had a great time and through the wonderful generosity of our supporters we raised £800! These funds will be used to enhance the care of local breast cancer patients undergoing treatment. A big thank you goes to Liam Hughes and his team for making the event so special.
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'Ascot' Afternoon Tea, June 2019Everyone who attended the Ascot Afternoon Tea at Edwards Resturant at Cookes Furniture Store , Erdington had a great time. Our thanks go to everyone who generously supported the raffle raising £420.00 for Breast Friends. Thank you Sharon and all the staff for a lovely afternoon.
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Great Midlands Fun Run, 2nd June 2019We would like to thank all runners, walkers and supporters who came out for this event and helped us raise money as well as raising the profile of our charity within this event.
Many this year were running in tribute to friends lost in 2018, in particular inspired by Sue Mills, who did so much to make this event a significant fundraiser for us in the past, and who was mentioned in the pre-run briefing. The total amount raised for Breast Friends by this event was £3,703. Well done all. |
Gary Barlow Tribute Night,
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Eggstra Easter fundraising
For the last few years we have raised funds by selling knitted Easter chicks with Creme Eggs kindly donated to us. Many thanks to Sainsburys Mere Green, Waitrose Mere Green and Asda Tamworth for their generous donations of cream eggs.
We would also like to thank the lovely ladies who donated wool and knitted the chicks for us this year. The chicks literally fly out of the basket! Sending our grateful thanks to those who buy our chicks- a lovely start to Spring. If you'd like to make some for this year the pattern can be found here. |