OGC Splash
Welcome to your new website!
Oesophageal-Gastric Cancer Support
for Portsmouth and the Local Area of South Hampshire
News!
Gastrointestinal Society, Colorectal Cancer Canada and My Gut Feeling survey for patients & care-givers
Gastrointestinal Society, Colorectal Cancer Canada and My Gut Feeling have developed a survey to help gather insights and perspectives from patients and caregivers who are managing Oesophageal cancer as part of the Patient Evidence Submission to the pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review (pCODR) which is assessing Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) as a first-line treatment.
Have you been diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer, or are you a caregiver for someone with this condition? Now or in the past?
Please feel free to have a look at the survey and complete if you have the time by clicking HERE.
Hospital Appointments during lockdown
QA Hospital have issued a reminder that if you have received an invitation to attend a hospital appointment you should still attend, government guidelines state you may leave the house for essential medical appointments. If the appointment is rescheduled then you will be notified.
NHS Research Study – Digital Appointments
NHS Digital research into patient’s hospital appointments booking system
NHS Digital is conducting a research into access to the patient’s hospital appointments referral systems. Patients can book their hospital appointments by using Telephone Appointment Line (calling the hospital service by phone) and/or using online the NHS electronic referral service (e-RS).
When patients see their doctor and the doctor decides that they need to see a specialist (e.g. needs to go to a Consultant at a hospital or a clinic), the patient is referred using the NHS electronic referral service (e-RS). This allows a patient to book their own appointment for the specialist, with a choice of place, date and time.
To do this, the patient receives a letter from their doctor which gives them details to go online and book the appointment. For patients that are not able to go online or would prefer to book by phone, there is a Telephone Appointment Line that a patient can call, and someone will help the patient make this booking. NHS Digital are looking to improve the Telephone Appointment Line to make sure that it offers the best service for patients.
To help them do this, they would like to speak with patients who have called the Telephone Appointment Line recently to understand their experience and what could be improved.
They would also like to speak to patients that have not called the Telephone Appointment Line to book an appointment, but would be interested in doing so, to understand what you would like from a telephone line to help you book your appointment.
If you would like to take part, the best way to give your feedback is through a 30-minute phone call with the team conducting the research. The team can call you via phone or are also happy to set up a Zoom or Microsoft Teams meeting. No medical information will be discussed as part of the conversation and no personal information will be collected. Any responses you give are confidential.
To take part, please contact Georgia Price, Business Consultant Georgia.price7@nhs.net or Freya Hansen, Business Consultant Freya.Hansen@bjss.com with your contact details, and they will pass these on to the team who will get in touch with you to organise a suitable time.
If you would prefer, you can also provide any feedback by answering this short survey. The link to online survey is https://forms.gle/qtVrYqf9zfWBK2Hb8
Thank you in advance for helping with this important research.
Macmillan Survey
We know that, for so many of you, Coronavirus continues to pose many questions and may affect your day-to-day life, as well as where and how you receive cancer treatment.
Hard-working cancer professionals are doing their absolute best to protect services. However, unfortunately we know that the third wave of the pandemic has affected cancer services in some areas, for example for those whose cancer operations have had to be cancelled or delayed.
We know many of you have a cancer diagnosis or have loved ones who do. If you have been affected by disruption to treatment during this time, you are invited to tell us more here by clicking HERE.
By sharing your story with us, you can help us make sure decision makers are doing everything in their power to allow cancer care to continue.
Please remember that Macmillan Support is available for you, your loved ones, colleagues, friends and support group members.
More information on cancer and the coronavirus can be found on the Macmillan website HERE and you can always call the Macmillan helpline on 0808 808 00 00.
Cancellation of December meeting
Unfortunately, because of the Covid lockdown, we were forced to cancel the meeting at QA Hospital due to be held on Saturday 5th December. We remain hopeful of resuming meetings again next year, but it is very much a “watch this space!”
In the meantime, we are proposing to hold a series of small virtual meetings using Zoom during 2021 following the success of two zoom meetings held in December. We would be grateful, therefore, if you could contact either Phil Coverdale (phil_coverdale@yahoo.com or Lorraine Sutton (lorrainesutton_ogcs@outlook.com) or the OGC-SPLASH Helpline (07470290847) to express interest.
You can hear more about our December zoom meetings below, under the Group Meeting heading.
You can, of course, phone the OGC-SPLASH Helpline at any time for any support needed, if only for a chat. It is a very difficult time for all concerned & please don’t hesitate to get in touch whatever the reason. We are here to help.
A new way to fundraise for OGC-SPLASH!
Exciting news! We are now set up on GoFundMe which means that those of you who wish to fundraise for us, can do so using this free website which sends 100% of the Gift Aid raised back to OGC-SPLASH. They also take no admin free from us to be registered.
All you need to do is register your fundraiser on the GoFundMe website found HERE, and select OGC-SPLASH as your chosen charity. Anyone sponsoring you or donating can make their payment online, simple as that! Donations enable us to keep offering the outstanding level of support we currently offer to our members and their families, so whether you are a marathon runner or a star baker any help you can give us is hugely appreciated!
Raise money for OGC-SPLASH with every Amazon order you place!
How would you like to help raise money for OGC-SPLASH while doing your Amazon shop? You can do this by simply logging into your Amazon account via the Amazon Smile link HERE.
You will shop in exactly the same way, except using the Smile link means 0.5% of your purchase price will go to OGC-SPLASH to help us provide support to patients and families dealing with Oesophageal or Gastric Cancer.
Simply select OGC-SPLASH from the charity list when you log in – you will need to search for us using our full name (Oesophageal Gastric Cancer Support for Portsmouth and the Local Area of South Hampshire.)
PLUS! October 13th & 14th are ‘Prime Days!’ Amazon will have a whole heap of exclusive deals and discounts over this 2 day period, giving you even more opportunity to raise money for us!
Online Events
Look Good Feel Better workshop for Men 21st May 2021
| Are you a man living with cancer or do you know a man living with cancer? If so, we hope the Look Good Feel Better Workshops for men will be of interest! “Our ‘Skin Fitness’ skincare and grooming Workshops not only offer some great practical advice from experts in their field, but also provides a safe place for men to connect with others on a similar journey, talk about what’s going on and share experiences. We are pleased to confirm we are running our next Workshop on Friday, 21st May 1 pm to 3 pm which will be hosted by men’s grooming expert, Mark Sproston, aka the ‘Shave Doctor’ (click HERE for his website) In addition, we are pleased to welcome guest speaker, Chris Lewis, co-founder of the charity SimPal who are the only charity in the world giving free mobile phones and connection for people affected by cancer. Chris is also a speaker at global cancer conferences and will be talking about his own cancer diagnosis and journey, and his work on trying to improve practical support offered to people living with cancer that led him to develop a website and along with his social media presence which has seen his work go global. He is now working with clinicians and patients across the world to improve cancer care after the pandemic. For more information on Chris, please click HERE. Why not join us with a cuppa for a couple of hours and let us know what you think? The sessions take place on Zoom so the following is needed: * Internet connection * Computer * Laptop, tablet or smart phone * Speakers and a microphone |
| Once a booking has been made, Look Good Feel Better will send out an email confirming the details for Zoom. To make a booking or for more info on our men’s services please click HERE call 01372 747500 or email info@lgfb.co.uk” |
The sponge on a string that can detect early changes in the Oesophagus – Cytosponge webinar
If you missed your chance to catch September’s webinar on the Cytosponge with Rebecca Fitzgerald & Cambridge University then you can now watch it HERE. This is an exciting opportunity to learn about this new future way of detecting changes in the oesophagus early.
Group Meetings
December 2020
OGC-SPLASH history was made in December 2020 when we trialed 2 small zoom meetings. We were initially unsure if holding meetings in this way would work well, but we were proven wrong by the huge success of both meetings. We invited a small group to both containing a mix of new patients, and those who have been members for some time. Instead of the usual format of a guest speaker we simply allowed everyone an hour to chat freely and share stories and tips. It was clear to see that providing support in this way was invaluable to all, and new friendships and support buddies were formed. Following the success of these meetings we plan to hold more during 2021 so please sit tight for your invite!
September 2020
We held a small socially distanced meeting on 19th September 2020 for 14 members, mainly new members who seemed to really benefit from meeting others & swapping stories.
If you didn’t receive an invite please bear with us, we are trying to arrange small pod groups based on postcode and you will receive your individual invite as soon as we are able to visit a town near you!
Bits & Bobs
Universal Key for disabled toilets
You can purchase a universal key which opens locked disabled toilets across the country through Disability Rights UK HERE. Toilets fitted with National Key Scheme (NKS) locks can be found in shopping centres, pubs, cafe’s and bus/train stations to name just a few places and in most parts of the country. The key costs £4.75 including delivery (Excl VAT).
NHS Talking Therapies
If you are struggling with depression or anxiety, you can be referred to NHS Talking Therapies by your GP or refer yourself online. See HERE for details.
Adults Safe Haven – for support with your mental health
If you need a little extra support with your mental health, Safe Haven may be the place for you. Link to website can be found HERE.
We are now a registered charity!
As of 15th May 2020 OGC-SPLASH is a registered charity with charity number 1189515. You will soon be able to fundraise specifically for us online and link us to your fundraising events, please check this website for the details which will be announced soon. The Committee recently met to celebrate and discuss future plans for the group (any excuse for bubbly!)
Dr Daksha Trivedi’s new book – ‘Now Living the Dream: A tale of surviving cancer’ is out now!
Dr Daksha Trivedi’s new book – “Now Living the Dream: A tale of surviving cancer” is available to buy on Amazon. Click to buy either as an ebook or paperback. The book will appeal to all cancer patients and their families as well as the medical profession – highlighting the journey as a patient.
In the words of Dr Trivedi, “My book conveys a message of love, courage and faith that overcomes all fears and not just to survive but how to live life to the full.”
All proceeds of the book sales will go to appropriate charities including the OPA, Together Against Cancer & Macmillan Cancer Support. You can also click here to buy the book direct from Dr Trivedi’s website.
QA Fruit & Veg market
The QAH fruit & vegetable market is now open Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, from 8am-4pm – a exciting new event supporting wellbeing.
Anne’s surgical award
Here is our lovely Anne Gibbons receiving a surgical award for keeping the UGI CNS service running during the pandemic – how lucky we all are to have such a wonderful lady on our side 
Well done Anne & THANK YOU! Xxx
Tracy – our COVID Hero!
Our OGC-SPLASH COVID Hero award goes to Tracy Ancsell! On behalf of us all we wanted to acknowledge Tracy’s dedication to duty, when the call came to return to the centre of the pandemic our cancer CNS Tracy stood up to be counted and returned to critical care to nurse the most vulnerable and then bounced back into her job that was being managed by Anne… what a team! Thank you Tracy!
Portsmouth’s brother & sister duo ‘Same Difference’ release single to raise funds for the NHS
The former X Factor contestants who also happen to be ex students of our committee member Gill Millett, have released the song ‘One Life One Love’ available to buy/download for 99p (Click for news article) Click HERE to buy!
Macmillan Centre QAH now open!
The Macmillan Centre is now open for appointments to offer support and information for patients who are already attending the hospital. Services are also offered by telephone, just call 02392 283323.
Fundraising
Riordan ran 5K every day of January 2021 for OGC-SPLASH!
Riordan Hanan ran 5K every single day of January 2021 to raise funds for OGC-SPLASH, for 31 days straight he ran in support of Splash at various locations. Riordan’s family have been touched by cancer several times sadly, including the loss of his older brother at just 17 years old. Riordan wanted to do something different to the usual setting of a new years resolution which is quickly forgotten, and plans to do something meaningful every month of 2021 starting with this.
You can still sponsor Riordan, or share his link by clicking HERE.
Committee member Christine Gorham recently ran her 52nd marathon in 52 weeks – and on 19th May she takes on her new challenge of running 10 marathons in 10 days in memory of her husband John who sadly passed away in 2018 from oesophageal cancer. Christine hopes to raise awareness of the disease, and will be fundraising for both Heartburn Cancer UK and OGC-SPLASH. If you would like to sponsor Christine and support OGC-SPLASH please click HERE.
Handy Links
- Free OPA download “Swallowing – nutrition when its difficult”
- Free OPA download “Medical Jargon Buster”
- Cancer Research Article “A sponge on a string test to detect oesophageal cancer earlier”
- Eastern Academic Health Science Network’s impact review features the Cytosponge “Surviving cancer through early diagnosis”
- Research Update – New model from Cambridge University predicts Oesophageal Cancer eight years early for half of all patients
- Cancer, Caring, Coping – a resource for carers written by carers
- National Cancer Institute – Eating Hints: before, during and after cancer treatment
- National Cancer Institute – Dictionary of cancer terms
- Nutrition Guide by Digestive Cancers Europe
- Roadmap for the prevention & treatment of Oesophageal Cancer by Digestive Cancers Europe