Latest Edinburgh support initiative for secondary breast cancer patients

Monthly gathering to share experiences and advice 

People in Edinburgh living with secondary breast cancer now have a crucial additional support resource. 

Charity Make 2nds Count, which is based in the Scottish capital, has launched a monthly meeting where patients can gather to share experiences and advice and widen their vital friendship network. 

The Tea & A Chat initiative is a joint venture with the Karen Henderson Legacy Fund which raises money in memory of the 48-year-old Edinburgh mum, a pioneering Make 2nds Count patient champion, who died two years ago.  

Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of every month, between 11 am and 1 pm, at Morningside Parish Church. 

Secondary breast cancer claims 1,000 lives each month in the UK – that’s an average of 31 deaths every day.  Make 2nds Count is dedicated to raising awareness of this little-known form of the disease, also known as metastatic, advanced or stage IV breast cancer, which has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body.  

Although it can be treated it is incurable and currently affects around 35,000 people in the UK.  

Emma Hall, Head of Operations for Make 2nds Count says it is so important that patients can share their experiences: “A diagnosis can take people to a very lonely place but being able to meet with others who truly understand the situation can be hugely beneficial.

“Friendships forged in these circumstances are uniquely valuable and we know this initiative, simple though the premise is, can make a real difference.”  

Karen’s husband, Alistair Henderson says he’s delighted to be supporting the launch of the first Tea & A Chat in Edinburgh with Make 2nds Count.

“What Karen benefited from through the charity was the community and the sense of family that Make 2nds Count brought, so this event is a great opportunity for people in a similar position, to get together and support one another”, he said. “Karen would have been so pleased to be supporting this great initiative.” 

To find out more about Tea & A Chat Edinburgh and to register to attend, visit: https://www.make2ndscount.co.uk/support/tea-and-a-chat-all/tea-and-a-chat-edinburgh/

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davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer