Grief of mother’s death turns to hope as sisters reopen cancer centre

May 15 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

A CENTRE that gives cancer sufferers hope and support was reopened yesterday by sisters who lost their mother to the disease.

Simply called Sunflowers, the centre on Aigburth Road – which used to be known as Liverpool Cancer Support Centre – has gone through a full refurbishment to make the difficult road to recovery more comfortable for sufferers and their families.

Yesterday, volunteers and service users gathered to officially open Sunflowers and pupils from Bellerive Catholic College, in Sefton Park, cut the ribbon.

Students at the school, Lauren Evans, 12, and her sister Rachel, 16, lost their mother, Angela, to cancer when she was just 38.

With their father Dave and friends from the school, they have been raising money for the centre and a recent sponsored run brought in over £1000.

Mr Evans, from Park Hill Road, Toxteth, said: “Sun-flowers is very important for this area, it gives people a chance to come and talk to others about what they are going through. It has been very good to me and my family.

“| did not know about it until my wife got cancer and they were so supportive. Hopefully, the new bright signs will let more people know it is here now and less will have to go through cancer alone.”

The refurbishment, includ-ing new furniture, decoration and carpets, was made possible by workers from healthcare company Novartis who chose to support the charity.

Project worker Joan Elmer, who runs the centre said: “It looks more professional now, more comfortable, and it has been brought into the 21st century. We are so happy and grateful.”

At the ceremony, students from the neighbouring Liverpool Theatre School performed for the audience, and a harp player helped to add a calm atmosphere to the newly refreshed centre.

Chair of the committee, Celia Stephenson, 67, from Aigburth Vale, has been coming to the centre for six years, after she developed lymphoma.

She said: “It is fantastic that we have had such great support and this new look, it is a lovely place to be – it gives people hope.

“I was diagnosed with lymphoma but it was not the disease that nearly killed me but the treatment.

“I also caught C Difficile and felt very bitter about my experience, but coming here and talking things through with people helped so much. Having the human contact makes you realise you can get over it and gives you hope.

“I am still having problems because my lungs have been damaged by the radiotherapy and the centre is very important to me, it keeps me going.”

lizawilliams