Category: Events

Our OPA team had the privilege of attending the sensational stage adaptation of Peter James’s Picture You Dead at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, featuring our esteemed patron, Fiona Wade. We came together for a memorable evening filled with thrills, laughs, and exceptional performances.

The Story Behind the Play
Adapted by Shaun McKenna and directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, Picture You Dead marks the seventh stage adaptation of Peter James’s DSI Roy Grace novels. The gripping narrative kicks off when everyday couple Freya and Harry Kipling (portrayed by Fiona Wade and Ben Cutler) stumble upon what appears to be a decades-old masterpiece at a car boot sale—only to be plunged into the dark underworld of art forgery, murder, and deception. Meanwhile, seasoned detective DSI Roy Grace (George Rainsford) and DS Bella Moy (Gemma Stroyan) are on the case, tracing the painting’s trail into criminal intrigue.

OPA’s Take
Our OPA staff left the theatre thrilled by the clever plot, powerful performances, and the pure theatrical talent on display. Watching Fiona command the stage was a special highlight. We’re proud to see her shine in such a top-tier production, and grateful for the chance to support her artistic journey.

Tour Dates & Booking Info
Picture You Dead is performing at major venues throughout July. For dates and tickets, head to – https://www.peterjames.com/plays/picture-you-dead-tour-dates/
This Will Challenge is brought to you by Emma Gray at Rainbow Hunting.

Emma’s Story

When my husband Simon was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in December 2013, my world changed overnight. I was suddenly faced with the harsh reality of caring for a terminally ill partner while balancing intense oncology treatments, raising our two children, and continuing my work. Losing Simon – my husband and soulmate – in July 2016, left me heartbroken and plunged into a world of grief, depression, and profound loneliness.

My Journey to Becoming a Life Coach
Just weeks before the pandemic began in 2020, I left my stable career in law to begin training in counselling. This marked the beginning of a two-year journey of unlearning societal norms, immersing myself in psychological theory, and realising that therapists and coaches don’t “fix” people’s problems.

Instead, I discovered the transformative power of holding space – of being present, facing difficult conversations, and allowing healing to unfold within a secure, compassionate, and non-judgemental relationship. I now apply all I’ve learned, including additional training in grief support, in my work as a grief and life coach. I specialise in helping clients navigate both the emotional realities of loss and the practical side – what I call the “Sadmin” – while learning to grow a meaningful life around grief.

 
The 4-day FREE Will Challenge is designed to help you focus on updating or creating a new Will. The challenge will: 

Dear Friends,

We’re delighted to share news of the upcoming OPA Meeting.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, 7th June, 2025, from 12:00 pm to 14:30 pm. We will be gathering at the C P Hart premises, located at Newnham Terrace, Hercules Road, London, SE1 7DR.

For your convenience, here are the venue particulars:

  • C P Hart is conveniently situated within a 10-minute walk from Waterloo Station
  • 2 minutes away from Lambeth North Tube Station.

Light refreshments will be provided during the meeting.

 

Agenda

12:00pm – 12:30pm – Welcome, and opening comments, introduction and update re OPA by John Campolini (Chair)

12:30pm – 14:00pm – Telling Your Story: Personal Journeys with Oesophageal and Gastric Cancer

14:00pm – Farewell and closedown of meeting

 

If you would like to attend this meeting, please reserve your place via Eventbrite here.

These tickets are first come, first served.

We look forward to seeing you!

The OPA held an awareness day in Touchwood Shopping Centre on 15th June 2016 to raise awareness of persistent (every day for three weeks or more) heartburn or indigestion. The day was a great success. Watch the video below or watch the video on YouTube.

The 2016 OPA AGM will be hosted on 25th June 2016 by our Birmingham group at the Old Joint Stock in Birmingham city centre which is directly opposite St. Philips Cathedral.

A buffet lunch will be provided and all are welcome.

Address: Old Joint Stock, 4 Temple Row W, Birmingham B2 5NY

Date and Time: Saturday 25th June 2016, 10:30am to 16:00pm

More details to follow.

David and Barbara Shreeve organise a monthly drop in session for members of the Leeds Regional OPA at the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at Harrogate Hospital.  It is an informal occasion and gives members the opportunity to discuss issues in a relaxed and friendly environment.  Part of the session is to enjoy light refreshments home baking, local cheeses and pies.

At the drop in session on Thursday 18 February members were delighted to welcome HRH Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall.

Prince Charles is the Patron of Macmillan Cancer Care, a key partner of the OPA,  that provides assistance in awareness campaigns, accommodation for meetings, literature, training and online information for oesophageal cancer patients.

The Royal visitors were very interested in the work of the OPA and particularly in how patients and carers support one another.   John Taylor, Chairman of the Leeds Regional Group had the opportunity to speak at length to Prince Charles on the nature of the disease and the effects of the treatment.  Prince Charles was also interested in the impact on the carer and questioned carers on their experiences.

Camilla talked with David Shreeve about the problems being encountered by survivors of oesophageal cancer, and those still undergoing treatment, particularly in regard to eating. She also recognised the value to both patients and carers of belonging to a support group.

Joan Bardsey, who had her surgery over 10 years ago, brings local pork pies to every session and was delighted when Prince Charles accepted her last pie!

The OPA’s 2015 AGM will be hosted by our Derby Branch this year and you are invited to attend, meet the Committee, especially our new Chairman, Professor Robert Mason, and to take part in various question and answer sessions and hear from various experts in oesophageal illness and cancer support. We have a full and interesting programme with speakers including Professor Mason (Bob), Trustees, Maggie’s Centre Nottingham, a donation from the local Scout Group and Cancer 52 and we have arranged things in the village hall so that we have a full time coffee and breakout area.

This is our 30th Anniversary year and the AGM is being held close in time to our Anniversary event. You are welcome to attend both!  We have set ourselves ambitious targets for the 30th anniversary and this includes a step change in fundraising and in activity. Our target for additional funds is £120000 and we intend to use those funds as follows. I hope that we will be able to have a discussion with you, at the AGM, on the proposed patient centred research project.

1. Widening of Branch network – ensure national coverage of patients by the OPA – £50000
2. Confidential database development for communication and future research purposes – £25000
3. Possible wedge (support pillows) distribution for 1000 patients – £30000
4. Patient support videos – £5000
5. Creation of training courses specific to support for oesophageal patients – £10000

It would be very helpful if you could advise us that you are coming and how you will get there. If numbers are sufficient we should be able to organise a shuttle from Derby City Centre to Hilton.

We anticipate being able to report that we have turned a corner and that two years of deficits in our finances are behind us. Active support from many of you, super work in the office by Maggie Robinson, our Operations Manager and Jacqui Wood, our fundraiser, enable us to be confident in the OPA’s future.

Download the AGM 2014 Minutes as PDF

Download AGM 2015 Information as PDF

Many members have been asking for notes and information from the AGM which took place on Saturday 21st June 2014. Below is a link to download the presentation notes given by Professor Hanna, Professor Mason, Professor Mughal talk “looking forward to the next ten years in oesophago-gastric cancer treatment”.

Click here to download the O-G Cancer – The Next Ten Years presentation as a PDF

Here are some images from the AGM, presentation and speakers