Teenage Cancer Trust – Find Your Sense of Tumour
My first experience of this amazing conference was in October 2008 when I was booked by the Red Cross to do some hand/arm massage and nailcare at Center Parcs in Sherwood at the ‘Find your sense of Tumour’ Conference organised by the Teenage Cancer Trust.
In addition to the Red Cross service, I was privileged to be able to join the team of 15 volunteer Complementary Therapists organised by Virginia McGovern who is the Complementary Therapy Nurse Specialist in the Children’s Short Stay at Queen’s Medical Centre to offer therapies to the 400 young people over the weekend.
It was a truly enlightening and upbeat weekend and I was bowled over by the young people’s evident enjoyment and interest in the talks and active participation in the social activities.
I continued to volunteer every year at this conference – held twice a year – for under 18’s at Whitemoor Lakes and for over 18’s at St George’s England Football Centre or Yarnfield Conference Centre. I am always overwhelmed and humbled by the energy and positivity at the conference and the huge level of support offered by TCT.
This conference provides an opportunity for young people who have or have had cancer to hear first hand from the experts and ask them questions; take part in group discussions on subjects such as hair loss, fertility and relationships. For many of the young people attending, Find Your Sense of Tumour is the first time they can meet and share experiences with people their own age who know what it’s like to be diagnosed.
This conference has now been transferred to regional events – the end of an era for us therapists, but a truly remarkable experience.
TCT Therapists 2012
TCT Therapists October 2013. L to R Back – Angela, Jenny, Sarah, Ginny, Jacky Front – Amy, Mel, Clare, Jackie, Justine. Driver Rick in yellow.
FYSOT Over 18 2014 Center Parcs L to R Catherine, Nic, Amy, Ian, Sarah, Jacky, Jackie, Ros
TCT Therapists Nov 2015. L to R Back – Sarah, Lyn, Jacky, Elaine, Ginny, Amy, Mel, Nic. Front Ian, Jackie, Rick, Julie
FYSOT Under 18 2016 L to R Jackie, Ian, Ginny, Lynn, Jacky, Amy
TCT Therapists Nov 2016 – themed fancy dress – Festivals. L to R Lynn, Ginny, Ian, Jacky, Amy, Sue
TCT Therapists Over 18 2019 FYSOT L to R Mel, Amy, Catherine, Nic, Emma, Jacky, Julie, Ian
TCT Therapists Under 18 2023 L to R – Michael, Louise, Ginny, Portia (admin), Jacky
TCT Therapists and TCT staff Under 18 FYSOT 2023 L to R – Louise, Hilary, Ginny, Michael, Melanie, Rachel, Jacky
