The Sunshine Group came into my life at a time when I had finished all my active treatments for Invasive Lobular Cancer. I found I had a lot of support whilst I was in active treatment but once that ended it was a very lonely time. I was given my Tamoxifen and reacted badly to it and was given support through that transition but once I was put in my present treat plan and was struggling with side effects another patient suggested I joined the Sunshine Group.

I contacted Ann Coffey and was welcomed into the Facebook group and offered ongoing support for me and my family. I was then invited to the Retreat and offered massages, Reflexology and Reiki to help with my side effects.

The volunteers offer therapies which are so necessary to make my adjuvant treatment a little bit more bearable and give me considerable relief from the aches, pains and swellings. It is a comfortable environment which allows me to talk about everything and anything. Everyone who volunteers has first-hand experience and knowledge of breast cancer and their advice is invaluable. It’s also refreshing to go somewhere where often the discussion is about anything other than cancer.

The activities organised by the group are an opportunity to get to know others better but also to allow family members to meet, talk and realise that they aren’t alone either. The Sunshine Group support goes beyond the patient and encompasses everyone affected by a cancer diagnosis; the patient, spouse, children and friends. It provides through the Facebook page a safe space to ask questions, share information all brought together by the dedicated volunteer team that runs and organise it.