Please send any e-mail you would like to appear to UKBCA@somewhere.org.uk. Unless you are clearly writing on behalf of an organisation, your e-mail address will not appear on the site. Any e-mail from other visitors responding to your message with information will be forwarded to you.

*****************************************************************

Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 00:37:09 -0700
From: "Ronan O'Leary" 
Subject: Bray Cancer Support Centre

I've recently created a new website for our cancer support group and
would greatly appreciate it if you could add a link to our site on your
contacts page.

You can see our site at
http://www.iol.ie/~bcsc

We're an autonomous voluntary self-help group and a registered charity.
We're the largest group of our kind in Ireland and would appreciate the
extra traffic.  I'd also like to return the favour by adding your
address to our links page.

Thanks a million,

Ronan O'Leary
Web Master
Bray Cancer Support Centre
bcsc@iol.ie



Dear Ronan, thanks for your message that you sent to the UK Breast Cancer 
Awareness Site I'm sorry it has taken me a while to reply as you may have 
seen from our diary page Marie Nally (the women I started the site with) 
died recently and so it has taken me a while to get on top of the email 
etc. 

I had a quick look at your site today which looked good - I thought I 
might include your message on our next feedback page with a link. I need 
to have a bit of a general re-think about our links page as a few 
organisations here are getting their own sites in October but I'll think 
about where else to link from too. It would be great if you could add a 
link back to us.

thanks

Nina Pope


Nina,

Sorry to hear about your friend.

I too have fallen a little behind now that the new college semester has
started.  I've added your link and will put it up when I've sent this Email.
I'm fairly new to the Internet scene and was surprized about how little
activity there is on the cancer front.  Am I just looking in the wrong
places?  I was curious to know if there is any UK discussion forum or Email
list as regards cancer support - I also failed to find a relevant Web-Ring.

Sorry for adding to what I'm sure is already a heavy workload!  Don't feel
pressured to reply immediately.

Thanks a million,

Ronan,
Bray Cancer Support Centre,
bcsc@iol.ie


Dear Ronan - thanks for the link - I've copied this to Lyn Duffus who I 
know through the site, she is an active participant in the UK email 
discussion group (details below) and she also has a lot of experience 
with, and interest in support groups. Good luck with everything

best wishes

Nina
______________________________________________
send an e-mailto: listserver@morgan.ucs.mun.ca
leave the subject line blank
send the message text: subscribe BREAST_CANCER

*****************************************************************
Dear Nina,

I have removed Marie's Email address from the uk-onc-web list.

I would like to pass on my condolences for the loss of Marie. I only met
Marie once in person, but was immediately impressed with her drive and
courage. I know the web site that you created together has provided, and
will continue to provide, an inspiration to many people, including those
with cancer and their families.


With best wishes,

Simon
*****************************************************************
I was very sad to hear of Maries death and i am sending all my deepest 
condolences to you and all Maries friends. It is especially sad as I am 
returning to live in UK in about five weeks time and we had mentioned in 
one or other of our correspondances about getting in touch when I 
returned to the UK which I was hoping to do after my arrival.
Marie was a very avid,prompt and helpful letter writer and gave me quite 
a good insight into treatments and attitudes in the UK and I shall miss 
our occassional correspondence.
I am afraid I cant be much help with the page at the moment as I am not 
very knowledgable on the running of such things but I am quite happy to 
help with opinions or suggestions so please keep in touch.

 Janis

*****************************************************************
To:Nina
From: Dianne 
Subject: Re:  the site


Hello -- 

        I am the aunt of a young lady who is about to be married.  She is at high
risk for breast cancer, as her mother had it and died due to metastasis.

        I wanted to provide her with something other than the usual "self-exam"
material and encourage her to have her mammogram done regularly.  I had to
argue with her this last time and she has valid reasons for not wanting
one.  She is afraid that cancer will be found.  She is afraid that she will
repeat her mother's experiences.  She does not want the physical
disfigurement that results from surgery or the side affects due to
chemotherapy.

        Her results are in and the report is negative.  Both of us are breathing
again...

        I sent her the URL and when she reviewed the materials and the photo
essay, she realized why I had been so emphatic about this.  My own
mammogram was done two weeks ago and I have been told to see my doctor.  I
am nervous, but "maintaining".  If everything had been negative, I would
not have to meet with the doctor.

        My home is in Southern California along the Colorado River.  I dreamed
about being able to move here and now that I have arrived, I want to stay.
Hopefully, there is enough wisdom in the medical providers here to have
this turn out well.  If not, then at least I know I had a wonderful life
and balanced it with giving and taking that benefited others more than myself.

        I noted the diary entry you make about continuing the web site.  I have no
idea how these things work in Great Britain, but are there any of the
organized charities that can assist you in this?  The story and the photo
essay are both worth more than anything else I have viewed on this subject.
 They would provide others with the kind of "push" needed to get them past
their fears and into the x-ray department for a mammogram.  Just as helpful
is knowing that treatment alternatives are changing and better results are
being obtained.  Linking the writing and photo essay to updated information
on breast cancer treatment would clarify some of the "mystery" created by
the medical professionals.

        These are just some thoughts. . .

                                Dianne

Subject:     thanks for your message
Sent:        2/9/98 6:06 pm
Received:    2/9/98 6:07 pm
From:        nina, UKBCA@somewhere.org.uk


Dear Diane 
thanks for your message to the UK Breast Cancer Awareness site, I'm glad 
that your niece found the Jo Spence pages helpful and I hope that your 
meeting with your doctor went well. It was very good of you to write and 
say what you'd found helpful about the pages, I am a bit daunted by what 
to do about the whole thing at the moment. I am thinking of putting on 
some new messages for October and would like to include yours. I hope 
this is OK with you.

Best wishes

Nina Pope


Dear Nina, 

	My niece has gained a whole, new perspective on how to deal with the risk
factors.  She was surprised that such a detailed account of the breast
cancer experience was available on-line.  She knows that she will have to
take the measures needed to reduce the chances of an undetected cancer,
which means that she has to take responsibility for her own health rather
than rely on someone else to "remind" or "nag" her into doing so.  Her
fiance' strongly favors her doing whatever it takes to minimize the risks,
but is also aware that she may develop breast cancer and require treatment,
the scope of which would be a matter for discussion between the two of them
and the medical professionals.

	Yes, you may include my comments in your October update.  Having watched
friends and family members deal with cancers that were detected too late,
any type of "heads up" can be of benefit to someone.  Perhaps that someone
will be someone about whom we care deeply.  My basic philosophy is that we
are put on this earth to help each other, so if anything I do accomplishes
that goal, then I am fulfilling my responsibilities.

	If you have an opportunity to do so, I would like to know when the site is
updated or if you learn of new resources.  I will pass information on to
you, as well.

	Had you contacted any of the charitable organizations to see if they can
assist with the funding needed to keep the site going?  If you would like
me to, I would be willing to draft some letters to organizations her in the
States.  Just let me know how I can help you and I will do my best.

						Best regards, 

						Dianne
						
*****************************************************************
Subject:     BREAST CANCER
Sent:        15/9/98 10:01 am
Received:    16/9/98 9:34 am
From:        LOUISE COX, 
To:          UKBCA@somewhere.org.uk

DEAR NINA
                  MY FRIENDS AND I ARE CARRYING OUT FUNDRAISING FOR 
MACMILLAN NURSES AND RAISING AWARENESS IN OUR SCHOOL OF BREAST CANCER 
AND BREAST CHECKS. WE NEED TO KNOW WHEN BREAST AWARENESS WEEK IS - IF 
YOU KNOW THE DATE,PLEASE COULD YOU LET US KNOW WITH THANKS
                                LOUISE AND FRIENDS.
*****************************************************************

Delivered-To: d#-UKBCA@somewhere.org.uk
From: mwong 
To: Aware
Subject: Site Suggestion for UK Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign
Date: Fri, 18 Sep 1998 15:34:56 -0700

Dear Sir or Madam,

First, let me compliment you on what a great site the UK Breast Cancer
Awareness Campaign is. I find it very attractive, interesting and easy to
use - a great resource that I will recommend to others. I write inviting you
to visit a website that just launched. I would be pleased to see the site
listed under your "Hotlist to Other Cancer-Related Sites" section. Please
consider this a request.

A little about the site: Dr. Koop's Community ( http://www.drkoop.com ) is
marked with the seal of approval of one of the most trusted advocates for
public health in recent U.S. history, former Surgeon General C. Everett
Koop. The site is an interactive, content-rich source for the latest health
information, offering excellent articles and sage advice on a wide scope of
medical topics, including breast cancer. In addition, Dr. Koop's Community
includes personalized medical news, an index of health sites on the Web,
"Health and Wellness" centers, an interactive pharmacy, an "Ask Dr. Koop"
message board, and more. 

I would very much appreciate it if you would let me know if you are able to
announce and/or link to Dr. Koop's Community. Thank you in advance for your
consideration, and please feel free to contact me should you have any
questions or require additional information. Again, I really enjoy your site
and I would recommend it to any of my friends and family members looking for
a strong information source on breast cancer.

Best regards,

Martin Wong 


Dear Martin Wong - thanks for your message that you sent to the UK Breast 
Cancer Awareness Site, I'm affraid we like to keep our links page 
restricted to sites which have a specific UK interest - however when I 
load up a new feedback page in October I will include your message 
regarding Dr. Koop's Community ( http://www.drkoop.com ).

Nina Pope

*****************************************************************
Hi!

Just dropping in to check that you know about the video that John Cleese =
has produced called "What You Really Need to Know About Breast Cancer". =
Essential patient information is presented by Dr Rob Buckman.

There are 45 titles in the Videos for Patients series - visit our =
website=20
http://videosforpatients.co.uk

If you can mention or review our resources please do.

E-mail me with any questions

Regards,

Michele Hutchison
PR and Press Officer

*****************************************************************

To: Aware
Subject: Re: Eating The Elephant-National Tour of a play about breast cancer

Dear Nina

Months and months ago I mailed you with info about Eating The Elephant, Julia
Darling's wonderful play about breast cancer. We are touring in October to
coincide with breast cancer awareness month and I now have all the dates
available. The tour is as follows:


Tour Dates - Autumn '98
2nd Oct 
Preview 		Dukes Playhouse, Youth Arts Studio, Lancaster 7.30pm  01524 66645
3rd Oct         Dukes Playhouse, Youth Arts Studio, Lancaster 7.30pm  01524 66645
6th             Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkaldy 7.30pm 01592 260498
7th-8th         MacRobert Arts Centre, Stirling  7.45pm 01786 461081
9th-10th        Netherbow Theatre, Edinburgh. 7.30pm 0131 556 9579
12th            Howden Park Centre, Livingstone. 7.30pm  01506 433634
13th            South Otterington Village Hall, N.Yorkshire. 
14th            Rotherham Arts Centre 7.30pm 01709 823621 
15th            Burnley Mechanics  7.30pm 01282 430055
16th            Caedmon Hall, Gateshead. 7.30pm
17th            The Buddle Arts Centre, Wallsend 0191 200 7132
20th            Pegasus Arts Centre, Oxford, 01865 722851 
21st            The Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead. 8pm, 01442 241789
22nd            Devises School, Devises, 8pm
23rd            Medievil Hall, Salisbury, 8pm
24th            The Quay Arts Centre, Newport, Isle of Wight 01983 528825 8pm
28th            The Kirkgate Arts Centre, Cockermouth  01900 826448
29th            Forum 28, Barrow-in-Furness 7.30pm 01229 820000
30th            Pemberton High School, Wigan


This is a bit of blurb about the show including some reviews:

Eating The Elephant 
by Julia Darling
author of 'Crocodile Soup'

'It's 1 in 12 women isn't it?......'
'Well that's OK then because there's only 4 of us!'

Nominated for three awards, Eating The Elephant is the funny and moving story
of an unlikely friendship. Four middle-aged women meet in a northern hospital. 

Carol is a cleaner, Miranda is a university lecturer, Laura works in a
building society
and Zimmy teaches Tai Chi. On the surface they have nothing in common, in fact
they
don't even like each other very much, but they are about to discover that they
all have
breast cancer. Thrown together through mutual need, the 4 women embark on a
friendship which becomes the most important thing in their lives. They  travel
together 
through uncertain treatments, swimming pools, night clubs and even into the
air towards
a joyful and liberating solution.

Press Quotes

Compelling, thought provoking and poignantly funny                              
This is upfront stuff, tough in its telling and tragic in its humour    
Extremely funny....If you missed it this time, catch it next.
                                                                Carlisle Star

...four superb actresses kept us entralled and highly amused.   
                                                                N.W.Evening Mail

Cries out for the adjective 'heart-warming', that doesn't diminish
it's power and wit. And it is witty!                            
                                           Northern Review, Newcastle upon Tyne 

'we thought that your play was one of the best productions that we
have seen in recent years'
Dr. and Mrs McManners, 
Bishop Auckland Medical Group

'...there were many groups of women, including nurses and cancer
support groups, who were laughing and applauding and literally
gasping in a way I haven't heard in the theatre for a long time.'

                                                                John Fox
                                Artistic Director, Welfare State International


The Ashton Group Contemporary Theatre is based in Barrow-in-Furness. We
commission and produce new plays on contemporary themes, locally and
nationally. We
also offer programmes of  workshops, outreach and community work. If you would
like
more information on The Ashton Group Contemporary Theatre please contact us on
Tel/Fax 01229 586784, E-Mail asht0n@aol.com.

ASHTON GROUP
CONTEMPORARY THEATRE LTD
9 kirk flatt, great urswick, ulverston, cumbria LA12 0TB. Co.Reg.# 3307753

*****************************************************************
Dear Nina

I am researching an article on Breast Cancer Awareness for the Express
newspaper. We are particularly interested in hearing about how sufferers
and their friends and relatives have set up and/or used Web sites and
newsgroups to help them in their fight against the disease. I would be keen
to talk to you about yours and Marie Nally's experiences with your site,
and also to find out any other people whom the site had helped, that we
could talk to. Ideally I need to speak to people within the next couple of
days.

Regards

Vicky Clark

Dear Vicky, thanks for your message, I'm afraid I am really running about 
over the next few days so this will be rather brief... In the past Marie 
has dealt with this kind of interview, as she was a woman with Breast 
Cancer and an excellent writer! ( I am a Fine Artist but we were close 
friends and worked well as a team developing the site) - I very much 
played a facilatory role over the last few months with the pages, just 
helping out with the graphics etc. Marie  crafted most of the comment and 
kept the email etc going. I was more involved at the start of the project 
and since her death I am maintaining the site whilst looking for an 
organisation to possibly take over the day to day running.  

I'm not sure how much of a chance you've had to look at the pages but the 
section Marie wrote describing why we set up the site is excellent:
http://www.easynet.co.uk/aware/info/about1.htm
and if you flick back through the diary pages:
http://www.easynet.co.uk/aware//events/diary.htm (each linked to the 
previous at the bottom)
These give a good idea of how our intentions for the site etc developed.

Another good source is the feedback pages (again linked from the bottom 
to back copies) where you can clearly see the range of questions/requests 
we receive - I will add one of the messages recently received to the 
bottom of the email - It will go onto the new feedback for October.

Please feel free to forward me any questions - although as I said it may 
be better to talk to someone with Breast Cancer about their experiences. 
I have also forwarded your message to Lyn Duffus ho uses the web a lot - 
in particular email discussion groups.

best wishes

Nina Pope


*****************************************************************