This is an informal and friendly group set up by those affected by Cancer to provide support and share information to others similarly affected, now or in the past, or for their loved ones who live on Islay and Jura. We believe no one needs to tackle this alone and we understand the extra isolation, difficulties and challenges often experienced when you live in such a remote location.
We have a mix of those who are currently battling cancer and are at various different stages in their journey, those who have ‘won’ their fight (some many years ago!) and those with loved ones going through cancer. It’s amazing how we continue to learn from each other as well as giving each other support, motivation, inspiration and hope! We also don’t believe in re-inventing the wheel, so a big bonus from the group is sharing tips on how we can make living with Cancer easier, be it arranging travel to appointments, to what benefits we are eligible for and who can best help us on this journey no one wants to be on!
We meet regularly every 3 weeks or so for informal ‘Cancer, Coffee & Cake’ gatherings. The next date can be found on this website, our Facebook Page (Cancer Support Group Islay) which also posts on the Islay Community Facebook Noticeboard pages and on our posters dotted around the villages and in the Medical Centres. People can pop in at any time during these gatherings and other than your first name you don’t need to give any more information than you are comfortable with and are very welcome to just sit, listen and enjoy the refreshments too. We also enjoy other social events from time to time such as meals out at local hotels and restaurants where we are always given a warm welcome. We have an informal WhatsApp group where we also share the dates of the next meetings and useful information, tips and support.
From time to time we have Guest Speakers who can provide more expert information, advice and support. We are delighted to have just had two Oncologists from the Beatson offer to come over to speak to our group to provide general support advice and guidance and are just waiting on a date. We are also arranging online sessions for the group for free courses such as ‘Look Good & Feel Better’ and the Beatson’s ‘Living with Uncertainty’. We also meet and link up with other local groups who share similar concerns or difficulties working together to improve our unique Island challenges.
Although we are just coming up to our first anniversary of the first proper meeting of this group, the origins of it go back to 2023. Three women tackling the same cancer and stage of the journey, living on Islay but having never met, surrounded by our amazing island community we are so lucky to have, but feeling increasingly alone as our challenges multiplied and often became harder to share. We were united by our amazing District Nurse Agnes who actually asked each of us, arguably, the most important question, so often forgotten by Medics, ‘What do you need?’ Although we sadly lost Sharon it motivated us, together with Agnes who freely donates so much time and energy to the cause, to establish ‘Cancer Support Group Islay’ to try to fill the gap our geography may dictate and those on the mainland have in abundance!
Establishing this group may not have happened so quickly or successfully but for our many Supporters and the kind donations we have been given throughout this last year. We never wanted our mission to be diluted by having to set up and run a time consuming Charity and thanks to the amazing Féis Íle Committee, we are so very lucky we don’t have to! They were quick to spot our need and potential and they not only provided invaluable financial assistance through kind grants but also the Admin and Banking expertise we needed. Known by most as the great organisation that puts on the Whisky Festival each year, but who have quietly been using the profits from it to do many good works! Thank you all.
Although it’s a serious matter that has brought us together and we are there if people do want to share their worries or experiences we also enjoy lots of laughter, which we find is often the best medicine!
Perhaps this sounds like something you could benefit from? Don’t be afraid to Email us or PM through Facebook if you have any questions, ideas or even tips on living well with Cancer.
