Easterhouse Online

SNP Councillor slams Sports Centre cuts
By Grant Thoms: In light of Culture & Sport Glasgow's decision to cut the opening times of Easterhouse Sports Centre, local SNP Councillor Grant Thoms has slammed the cuts in services, commenting "The propos

Amateur chefs create feasts in Easterhouse
By kate maclennan: By Kate MaclennanAmateur chefs are creating feasts in cookery classes in Blairtummock Community Hall, Easterhouse.The cookery classes are part of a series of taster courses organised by Greater Easter

Pool Party
Event for East Glasgow at The Bridge, March 6 2010 - Pool Party

*Information Stalls

*Fitness Tasters

*DJ Workshop

East End parishioners will have a new church building by the end of summer.
By kate maclennan: East End parishioners will have a new church building by the end of summer.Rebuilding of St George’s and St Peter’s Parish Church, on Aberdalgie Road, is due to be complete by August this

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23/4/2009Cancer patients to receive key support at local library


	Maureen Monaghan, who is recovering from Hodgkin lymphoma, is now volunteering at the new Macmillan Cancer Support centre at The Bridge in Easterhouse

CANCER patients in Glasgow will be offered everything from counselling to massages at their local library - rather than in hospital.

Maureen aims to share her experiences to help others

MAUREEN Monaghan knows better than most how vital emotional and practical support are during the dark days following a cancer diagnosis.

The 33-year-old's life was turned upside down when she discovered she had Hodgkin lymphoma.

Now, after two years of gruelling chemotherapy, Maureen is in remission - and determined to help others in her situation.

Maureen, from Shettleston, is now dedicating her free time to volunteering at the Easterhouse support centre, sharing her experiences with those who need support.

She said: "I wouldn't automatically tell people that I've had cancer because the service should be all about them and their needs and not about me.

"I know what practical support I needed and what other help I was looking for so I can pass all that along to people who use the centre."

While she is full of hope for the future, Maureen still has to attend checks ups every three months at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.

It will be five years before she can be given a clean bill of health.

Maureen, who works with the homeless, said: "Staff at Maggie's Centre and Macmillan were wonderful in helping build my confidence again and I wanted to give something back.

"Having a local service like this is brilliant and I'm glad to be part of it."

Scotland's first ever community support centre has been launched by the Macmillan charity in Easterhouse.

The East End has Scotland's worst cancer rates with 949 women diagnosed per 100,000 compared to 521 nationally - almost double.

Patients will be able to use the centre, based in the library at the Bridge, to talk about their experiences and gain advice from professionals.

Currently, patients have to travel to support centres at Wishaw General and the Beatson, which can be difficult to get to by public transport.

But with more than 1100 patients in east Glasgow diagnosed with the disease every year, Macmillan bosses decided to bring their services to the community.

Staffed by a Macmillan professional worker and by trained volunteers, the centre will house a range of information on all aspects of cancer.

Elspeth Atkinson, Macmillan's director for Scotland, said: "A cancer diagnosis brings with it all kinds of questions and uncertainties and being able to find the right information is vital at this difficult time."

Staff will be able to give patients complementary therapies such as massage and reiki.

And the centre will have a dedicated welfare rights officer on hand to help with applying for benefits and arranging financial support.

Service manager Janice Malone added: "Cancer is significant among those living in the East End which is why this new service is so important."

James Coleman, chairman of East Glasgow Community Health and Care Partnership, is helping to launch the service at an opening ceremony today.

Mr Coleman said: "This new service will complement existing medical services by providing emotional and practical support for people affected by cancer.

"With developments in screening and treatments getting better, people with cancer have higher survival rates and are living longer.

"The drop-in service will provide information and support to help people and their families live with cancer."

The service is funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and run with help from East Glasgow Community Health and Care Partnership, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Culture and Sport Glasgow and Glasgow City Council.

Macmillan's drop-in service is open on a Wednesday and Thursday between 10am and 2pm. Call 0141 531 8105 or e-mail janice.malone@ggc.scot.nhs.uk for more information.

Cancer information and support is also available from Macmillan CancerLine on 0808 808 2020 or at www.macmillan.org.uk