Cancer Support France is there to support English-speaking people living in France who are affected by cancer. And now there is a branch in the Tarn
Linda Shepherd and her husband, Andy, set up Cancer Support France (CSF) in 2002 in the Charente departement following Linda's experiences of being treated for cancer in France. She was fully supported in this venture by her doctors. They encouraged her to create the first CSF association — CSPC (Cancer Support Poitou Charente).
Over time, others were motivated to extend CSF to other departements, as a result of which CSPC became both a national and a local organisation. By 2009, when Jeff and Hazel Turner created CSF Sud, there were 13 CSF branches across France.
In January 2014, with the support of an enthusiastic group of volunteers, Denise Copley helped set up CSF Tarn (81). “All our volunteers must undergotraining, and the first training session took place in January this year; we now have trained members ready to support clients in and around the Tarn,” said Denise.
Denise’s involvement is very personal. “My husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2009. He died, at home, in March 2010.The palliative care he received from the French system, and the emotional support I was given were second to none; it was truly amazing. So l looked for a way to repay, in some small part, the debt of gratitude I felt for all the care we were given. I found the CSF ad in the Connexion newspaper, rang their number and, as they say, the rest is history.”
Denise herself comes from a nursing background. She worked in the NHS,first as a general nurse, then as a midwife, finally moving into midwifery teaching. “I enjoyed every moment of my career.”
CSF offers a telephone listening service, and volunteers may also accompany clients to hospital appointments, or on visits to other support agencies. “We are very fortunate in having a professional translator among our volunteers,” explained Denise, “so we can translate official documents, for example. We have a comprehensive list of support agencies, to which we can refer clientsto find further support.”
CSF is described as being for English speakers only, but of course there are other nationalities, resident in France, who also speak English, for examplethe Dutch and Belgians. “As long as they can speak and understand English,we are happy to support them. We have good relations with French cancer support groups and can refer non-English speakers to them to find help,” explained Denise.
“I have accompanied clients to hospital, helped translate a consultant’s findings for partially deaf client, and liaised with the French system, enabling a carer to get financial support,” she added. “I’ve also spoken to GPs on a patient’s behalf and supported the family following bereavement… sometimes it’s just listening.”
The most common question asked is: “How do I find help, here in France?”
“We need to raise awareness of CSF,” said Denise. “Tell your friends, of all nationalities, about us. CSF nationally would like it if every GP, nurse, clinicand hospital is aware of our existence and can refer patients to us quickly and easily... and we are all working to that end!”
CSF groups raise money from donations and events such as book sales, BBQs and other functions, as
well as the sale of some branded goods which are available on the CSF National website.
well as the sale of some branded goods which are available on the CSF National website.
“We are not primarily a fundraising association... it costs nothing to listen. Weare a service organisation and are here to help people cope with thedevastating effects of cancer. In a family, a diagnosis of cancer is like dropping a pebble in a pool, the ripples are far reaching and affect everyone in that family. Sometimes just talking through one’s hopes, fears and problems to an anonymous, totally confidential voice at the end of a telephone, helps one to find the strength to cope.”
There is a HELPLINE: 05 45 89 30 05 and an email address: cancersupportfrance@orange.fr. CSF National produces a quarterly magazine TOUCHLINES, which is available through the website, and there is a CSF Forum online: http://cancersupportfrance.org/
Val says a very interesting and useful " Face to face" thanks to Doreen for asking the questions and thanks to Denise for answering them so well
