Do let me know about any events that Up Front are running. No doubt I shall be popping back to Bucks now and then. I do miss the meetings -
they were most enjoyable and it was wonderful to meet so many cheerful and determined ladies. Many thanks once again to all you Up Front ladies
for all your hard work.
VC

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Many thanks for the invite and congratulations on being such a fantastic success this past year. You've done a truly wonderful job and provided great comfort and pleasure to many.
TW

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I would like to thank you so much. I started to come to the Up Front meetings last summer just after finishing my treatment and still feeling very emotional.  Sometimes, wanting advice and worries answered.  There was always someone to help me with my questions. I have met so many lovely ladies and this group has helped me so much. I no longer feel so alone. I can’t thank you enough.
SH

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I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2006. After the initial shock of the diagnosis I felt swept along into a whirlwind of activity, my life and my family’s lives felt out of control, first came surgery followed by chemotherapy and then Radio therapy. Before I knew it the best part of a year had flown by.

It was during this time that I was invited to attend Up Front, the breast cancer support group. Naturally, I felt slightly apprehensive but went along. I was amazed and pleasantly surprised at how useful the group was for me. I was very warmly welcomed and within minutes of my arrival got chatting to others who had experienced similar to me, some women were younger than me, some were a similar age and some older than me.

After the first meeting I became aware of just how isolated I had felt before attending Up Front, I felt as though I had come out of a very lonely place and I didn’t feel alone anymore, I felt part of a group of women who just knew and understood exactly how I felt. I was also able to see that there was life after breast cancer. Not only was my experience of Up Front useful for me it was also useful for my family as once I started to enjoy and move on with life, they did too.

The group provides useful information, support, fun and most of all a caring environment to step into and be with others who really understand what a woman goes through after diagnosis of breast cancer.
SF

When I first heard about the formation of the Upfront Support Group, I experienced a mixture of emotions.  I didn’t want to be classified as being part of a cadre which I’d not applied to join! (I’m sure every one of us felt the same.)  Equally, since I’d had my treatments in London, at Harley Street, I’d really not met or spoken to anyone, who was in the same position as myself and had not been able to discuss or share any concerns or questions with anyone other than
my family, who had been brilliant. Since they
had also been put under strain, and were so supportive, I felt that to talk to others would
be so beneficial.

When I attended the very first meeting, in the Chiltern’s car park I met with a lovely lady who was also going to the meeting.  She explained that she was a professional business woman, yet was terrified of this meeting as she had lost a lot of confidence, since her diagnosis and treatments – so we walked in together.

I was totally astounded and amazed to be
met with a room full of beautiful, vibrant and interesting ladies, across all age groups – who all looked so fantastic.  I was soon chattering away to lots of fun people.  I looked around to make sure the lady I had arrived with was part of the discussion I was enjoying – I found her totally engrossed and in animated conversation with
yet another group!

Really, that’s what it’s like fun, bubbly, sharing and updating for everyone, with lots of happy faces and stimulating ideas.  As it is our group, it is every one of us that will ensure its continued success.   Do come and meet us; we’re all mad - but hopefully fun to be around.
AES