New support group can help myeloma sufferers

The Myeloma Group which gives support to patients and their families.

The North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has teamed up with Myeloma UK.

The group met for the first time in the chemotherapy unit at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

Macmillan specialist nurse Kerry Dempsey said it is there to help anyone affected by myeloma.

“That’s whether that is patients having treatment, those who are better and no longer needing treatment or members of family or friends of anyone affected by multiple myeloma.”

Guest speakers will attend meetings at both the university hospitals of Hartlepool and North Tees.

Kerry added: “It is somewhere where you can meet other people and have the opportunity to talk about yourself and your experience of myeloma.

“No one is expected to talk about anything they don’t want to – it’s a friendly, caring atmosphere where people are free to talk.

“We are here to provide support and help provide access to other services when necessary.

“We also hold coffee mornings, which are very sociable, to help raise funds for Myeloma UK.”

Myeloma is a cancer arising from abnormal plasma cells (a type of white blood cell which is made in the bone marrow).

For more information, contact Kerry on (01642) 624697 or Liz Dobson on (01642) 562505.