Introducing MelaNoMore

As patients living with melanoma, we understand that receiving the diagnosis can be a frightening, confusing and isolating experience. That’s why, with assistance of St Luke’s Skin Cancer Team and Macmillan Cancer Support, we’ve joined forces to create MelaNoMore, a support group for anyone attending St Luke’s Cancer Support Centre.

MelaNoMore is a safe place where those affected by melanoma, including family members, can:

Talk More

Through social & virtual social events, such as our Virtual Cafe, where everyone can meet in person, chat and seek advice. We will return to “real” meetings when Covid-19 restrictions permit.

See below for ~ Virtual Cafe

Learn More

As well as running educational events, we have a website where lots of information about Melanoma, will be easily accessible and pooled into one simple point of access.

Click here for ~ Useful Contacts

Support More

We have set up the MelaNoMore Buddies, who team up on a one-to-one basis with Friends going through similar experiences, providing friendship and a listening ear.

Click here ~ MelaNoMore Buddies

Our next Virtual Cafe is Wednesday 18th November 15:00-16:30

Please join us during your tea/coffee break to hear Helen McNamara, Senior Specialist in Respiratory and Sleep Issues

Future Virtual Cafe dates
Wed 9th December 12:00-14:00 Our Christmas Virtual Cafe with games & prizes
Wed 21st January 21 10:00-11:30 our speaker is Delia Sworm, Cancer Nurse Specialist re your topics of interest & new developments at St Luke’s
Wed 11th February our speaker is Farrokh Pakzad, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast & Skin Cancer Surgeon re future developments

Send us your Respiratory & Sleep Issues

MelaNoMore Buddies Launched 19th October 2020

See our new Buddies Page

MelaNoMore Buddy System Goes Live

Breaking News Announcement

Virtual Cafe Zoom Instructions

Zoom PC Layout

Lorraine Nanke Survive & Thrive Presentation Slides click here

How to respond effectively to the Corona crisis by Dr Russ Harris, author of The Happiness Trap

Please click here

St Luke's Cancer Centre

Outpatient waiting areas redesigned & patient flows changed to allow social distancing

Telephone & Video Consultations

Slots will be booked for Drive past Blood Tests & Medication Collection;
located at front of St Luke’s

Click for Royal Surrey Coronavirus Hub

Latest Newsletter No.9 October

Our Virtual Cafes now incorporate the Wellbeing Education Programme &
Further details on the formation of The Friendship Group now retitled to “MelaNoMore Buddies”

MelaNoMore Previous Newsletters

Tell us about Your Cancer journey

Click to Share Your Experiences

Lists of Supporting Organisations

Cancer & Coronavirus

Know your rights in England
Click Here

Covid-19

Friday, Oct 23

Do you need some Support Today? You will find a helpful link/contact in our website.

Covid-19 Melanoma Focus (click here)

Melanoma Focus Helpline

Melanoma Focus Patient Decision Aid

Melanoma Focus MelaNoMore Presentation 1Jul20

Fountain Centre

Fountain Centre Relaxation Handout
Please click here

Happiness Calendar it's Optimistic October

MelaNoMore Buddy System Goes Live 19.10.2020

Dear friends

Breaking News: MELANOMORE BUDDY SYSTEM GOES LIVE

Further to our last Newsletter indicating that The Friendship Group (TFG) had been formed within MelaNoMore to set up a Buddy system, I am now delighted to announce that of today MelaNoMore Buddies has gone live.

We have decided it would be better not to use the (TFG) title for this activity, but it will remain part of MelaNoMore for other uses which may be planned later.

You will recall that the purpose of the Buddy system is to offer a friendly voice with someone who understands what you may be going through and who can offer a friendly ear.

MelaNoMore Buddies will be offered to people wanting help through talking to others who have had similar experiences with Melanoma. Those receiving help will be known as Friends and those who are giving support will be called Buddies.

Further details have now been published on www.melanomore.net of what it involves.

There will be Buddy training available for those who need it, which will be kept to a minimum, but will be very helpful to those taking up Buddying.

MelaNoMore Buddies is led by Chris Caswell, with Gina Freeman, Neil Harrison and Pam Walls who are involved most closely with the Buddy service.

In addition to this email you will receive another email today which is a form to complete should you wish to take part in the Buddy service as either a Buddy or a Friend.

NB: Please check your junk folder if you have not received this by the end of today.

This is an exciting development and we have the full support of the Royal Surrey hospital clinicians.

One important point is that if you do not want to take part in the Buddy system that is fine and it does not preclude you from taking part in other MelaNoMore activities such as the Virtual Cafe meetings listed below held monthly. We have sent this information to everyone currently on our records, so you know of this important service development.

With kind regards

Paul, Paul Duhig, Chairman, MelaNoMore Support Group