A WOMAN who has been treated for breast cancer has set up two events in support of Worcester’s specialised unit for the disease.

Tonya O’Donnell, a member of Malvern Wells Parish Council, was treated at the Breast Care Unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital after being diagnosed with the disease at Christmas 2017.

She said: "In the following 18 months of treatment, I witnessed first hand just how tough it is to battle cancer.

“I’m so grateful for our breast care unit. Instead of a multitude of grim hospital treatment rooms, I received my care in this fabulous facility with private consultation rooms and access to wonderful people and therapies.

“It’s so vital to raise awareness and funds for our fabulous resource so, along with Kathy Leather who is a patron of the unit, we are trying to get all of Malvern and Worcester onboard.”

This Friday, they are holding a lunch at Copper Beech House Bed and Breakfast in Avenue Road, and later this month there will be a Halloween party at the Mount Pleasant Hotel, Belle Vue Terrace, both in Malvern.

Meanwhile, a Malvern breast cancer support group is celebrating its first year this month, coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Malvern Breast Cancer Support Group’s prime purpose is to welcome women who have recently been diagnosed, providing a platform to chat informally about the various surgery, treatments and medications with others with similar experiences.

It was set up by Debra Borne who moved to the area after treatment in Hampshire and benefitted so much from going along to two local support groups there, and was surprised that there wasn’t already one in Malvern.

Monthly meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month from 6pm to 7.30pm. Early evening was chosen so women who are working and have family commitments can attend.

Debra said: “We currently have ladies as young as 40 and others in their 70s.

“Meetings have varied from a chat to expert speakers, the first one being Karen Cooper, a lymphoedema expert from The Lighter Touch.

“After such an informative explanation several ladies realised they had symptoms and sought treatments, and others learnt how to reduce the chance of developing lymphoedema.”

Rachel King, a breast care specialist from the unit, will join the next meeting on Tuesday, October 15, at Gallery 36, Belle Vue Terrace, to answer any queries.