Welcome to the Summer 2018 edition of the OPA Newsletter which we hope you will enjoy reading. In this issue, the OPA Fashion Show supported by Fiona Wade, exciting news from OPA HQ, forthcoming meeting dates and lots more.
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Photos of our Charity Fashion Show.
This was held on Saturday 30th June 2018 at the Guildhall, Henley in Arden.
A BIG “thank-you” to Calulla Nulty and all of the Upper GI team: including Consultants, CNS’s, Staff on Ward 11&12 who are based at Manchester Royal Infirmary along with previous patients are working together to pedal the distance from Lands End to John O’Groats and back again (approximately 2000 miles). Via static bike on the ward.
Please help us to achieve our goal by donating whatever you can, or even calling up to the ward and working up a sweat to raise funds for wonderful Charity the OPA who work so hard to provide a helpline, patient support information and much more!
If you would like to donate, follow these links
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/upper-gi-team
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/have-you-the-stomach-for-it
The aim of the OPA Ref-Lux awareness campaign is to educate the public, pharmacists, and GPs about the early signs for oesophageal cancer: heartburn, indigestion and food getting stuck; we know that only 30% of patients get curative treatment. Hence 70% of them are incurable.
Ed Cheong and Sammy Morgan attended a local football match in Norwich. The two teams Mulbarton and Harleston were playing for the Don Frost Memorial trophy.
Pictured is Sammy Morgan, former international footballer & Ref-Lux Supporter.
Swizzel whistles were given out both as a sweet treat and to spread the message of the OPA Ref-Lux campaign – the whistles were branded with the message to ‘Blow the whistle on cancers of the oesophagus & stomach’.
Ed was invited to speak to the spectators and the Swizzel whistles were blown just prior to kickoff to help promote the campaign.
Welcome to the Christmas 2017 edition of the OPA Newsletter which we hope you will enjoy reading. In this issue, introducing our new chairman Dave Chuter who is replacing Bob Mason, an update on our new office opening, bite size support groups, Christmas cards and lots more.
Our next get together is at OUR NEW VENUE The MacDonald Burlington Hotel, Burlington Arcade, 126 New Street, Birmingham, B2 4JQ (see map) on Saturday 21st October 2017 at 10.00 for 10.30 am.
Our speaker will be Ewen A Griffiths, Upper GI & Consultant General Surgeon who is based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEHB), Birmingham.
Light refreshments will be available and the meeting will end around lunch time.
Please RVSP if you wish to attend, you can telephone the office on 0121 704 9860 or email enquiries@opa.org.uk or return the slip at the bottom of the invite (link below). We hope to see you there!
Neil, a keen swimmer has raised over £5000 for the OPA already after his wife, Ceri, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. He plans to swim 100km in seas, lakes and pools by December 2017.
Neil says “We’ve called this cancer Deirdre (Apologies to all human Deirdres!). She has absolutely no place at our wedding in September and we plan to fundraise for OPA to help others.”
Family and friends have also been extremely generous by donating to the OPA as wedding presents for the couple and this has made a major contribution to the overall sum raised – the wedding took place on 2nd September 2017.
The OPA wants to say a big thank you to Neil, Ceri and their family and friends!
If you would like to read more about Neil’s story and donate too, please visit the BT Donate page:
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/neilrushton1
TV soap Emmerdale was in Henley, when actress Fiona Wade, who plays Priya Sharma, made a special appearance at the Oesophageal Patients Association’s (OPA) head office.
Fiona is a patron of the association and was in town last Wednesday to open what its new UK base on High Street.
Fiona said: “I was honoured to be asked to open these new offices and to continue to support the work of the Oesophageal Patients Association.
“I lost my father to oesophageal cancer, and I had never heard of this type of cancer before and always feel that if we had been more aware of oesophageal cancer and reflux disease then, for sure, earlier diagnosis would have made a huge difference and maybe saved his life.”
Read more on this story on the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald website
Photo’s of the HQ opening below. Photos by: Mark Williamson.
Are you suffering from Dysphagia and interested in taking part in market research?
Indiefield, a market research company based in North London is looking for people like you who are willing to sample a new drink thickener and give feedback during a 1-hour home interview in London.
Indiefield is conducting market research to collect insights and opinions and is not a sales operation.
If you would like to find out more please contact Matthis Hervieux at Indiefield directly on 0208 342 3074 or email matthis.hervieux@indiefield.co.uk.
Please note, this market research is independent of the OP
We often get asked about recommendations for travel insurance which can be harder to get for those living with cancer. There’s a great article on the Macmillan website with lots of comments from people who are often best placed to make recommendations – you!
Read the blog post on the Macmillan website.
The Macmillan website also have a great travel insurance advice page here.
