All the greatest things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom; justice; honour; duty; mercy; hope. —Winston Churchill

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Here’s an opportunity for people who live in Staffordshire to potentially influence the range of primary healthcare services that could be offered. The survey is quick. Please click on the link to complete.

https://engagingcommunities.researchfeedback.net/s.asp?k=163532428072

The survey is only open until 14th November 2021

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Hi all, hope you can make it to our November meeting this Wednesday. We’ll have some of our new Headcases pens for sale, and some new books courtesy of the Swallows Group covering returning to work after Head and Neck cancer.

See you Wednesday!

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Thank you to those who attended last night’s Headcases meeting. I hope those who were unable to come due to illness soon feel better. A small group offers the chance for more in-depth conversations but we’d love to see some more new faces…

We’re going to purchase a new batch of pens to be sold for fundraising. As soon as they are available I’ll post an update

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We’ve decided to go ahead with September’s meeting, which falls on Wed 1st. Usual venue and time….   19.30 at Longton British Legion. All welcome, we have nothing planned apart from a social catch up for everyone. Hope to see members of the Lost Chords group too, as we are joining forces with them for future meetings and fundraising

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According to the Government data…

Between 13 July 2021 and 19 July 2021, 1,564 people had a confirmed positive test result. This shows an increase of 36.2% compared to the previous 7 days.

Today, Fred and I discussed the wisdom of having our planned meeting at the beginning of August. There has been a sharp increase in Covid cases, especially locally, since restrictions were relaxed by the Government. Many of us will have been double vaccinated, but it’s still possible to catch Covid and pass it on to others. In the light of this we decided to cancel August’s meeting and see how the infection rate changes over the coming weeks. We don’t want to add to the problems by starting a chain of infection at one of our meetings. We will keep this page updated, and also our twitter feed as things progress.

I hope you’re all keeping well and enjoying some of this July’s sunshine!

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We have been contacted by the Head and Neck team at the hospital with a great fundraising idea. As you’ll know, patients that have radiotherapy have their own mask made, to help keep their head still for radiotherapy and make treatment as accurate and effective as possible. As time goes on, these masks take on something of a life of their own, viewed by the patient with some dread but at the same time, appreciated as an essential component.

Once treatment is over, the masks are sometimes ceremonially binned and other times retained as a memento of a tough time that’s now history.

We’d like to change that, and encourage all our Radiotherapy patients ( and spouses / partners / children / friends ) to retain the masks, and decorate them in any way they like. This could include painting, sequins, embroidery and any other method. Headcases are happy to host the prize giving at our meeting currently planned for 6th October 2021.

Here’s a mask in it’s natural state:

And here’s the kind of thing that is possible with some creative effort:

All funds raised will be passed on to UHNM Charities and will be used for the benefit of future Head and Neck patients. The prizes will be announced once the competition is properly under way. It’s a great way to celebrate the end of a testing time for the patient, and loved ones, so please have a go, and enjoy!

If you have already discarded your mask but would like a go, either get in touch with Headcases, or the specialist nurses and we’ll try and get hold of one for you. Sometimes the masks can become too tight or too loose, so a new one is made, and the old one becomes available. We may have to reconsider this, since at the moment the hospital is unable to provide additional masks.

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Fred and I have been discussing how things stand regarding Covid and our next meeting. We have decided that we’ll wait till the announcements and see what happens on 21st June.

Keeping everyone as safe as possible is our top priority so we can say now that the July meeting won’t happen, and we’ll look forward to our first gathering this year being August 2021.

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Last Friday, Fred and I had the pleasure of visiting Noel at his home to present him with a commemorative china plate. This records the fantastic fundraising effort that Noel initiated, and maintained with help from Jenny Bloor, Ladies Captain, throughout 2019. Noel himself has undergone surgery for Head and Neck cancer, and felt that raising funds for Headcases would be a fitting way to thank those involved in his treatment, and aftercare. Thanks to his efforts, and the generosity of the committee and members of the club, the sum of £4482.00 was raised.

Pictured below, Noel (left) and Fred.

This presentation should have taken place early last year, but as with many things the pandemic put a halt to it. When the group meets again we will be looking into ways in which the cash can be put to good use for the benefit of patients, hospital staff and carers involved in Head and Neck treatment. We look forward to welcoming Noel to one of our group meetings when they can be safely resumed, and we wish him all the very best for the future.

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