Ovacome ovarian cancer support and wellbeing day roadshow to come to Inverness
A national ovarian cancer support charity is set to host a drop-in health and wellbeing day in Inverness later this month.
Ovacome, the UK’s cancer support charity, will stop off at the Merkinch Community Centre - and later at Café 1688 - with their wellbeing day roadshow on Friday, August 16.
Anyone who has been affected by ovarian cancer is invited to attend to learn more about keeping themselves well following their diagnosis, and to meet others who also have been diagnosed with the disease. Ovacome’s support team will also be on hand to answer any questions attendees might have.
Victoria Clare, Ovacome CEO, stressed the importance of the charity running these events, particularly for those in more rurally isolated areas. She said: “We’re delighted to be able to come to Inverness with one of our Health and Wellbeing Days. We know the importance of a strong network around you during diagnosis and treatment, and our members tell us that this can be harder to find when you’re in a more rurally isolated area. We hope that we’ll see some familiar faces and meet some new people at our event in August.”
Lesley, who has lived in the Highlands since 2019, first discovered Ovacome in 2014, three years after her ovarian cancer diagnosis. She has since become a trustee of the charity. She said: “Knowing Ovacome are only a phone call or a tap on the computer away has been a great comfort since we moved here. I can really enjoy living in this beautiful, more remote part of the country because I know when I hit the buffers or feel derailed, I can be confident of accessing accurate, up to date knowledge through the charity.”
“As a trustee of Ovacome, I know this event in Inverness is a statement of their commitment to reducing barriers to anyone accessing support and treatment for ovarian cancer no matter whether they live. I hope our community will support the event by attending or telling their own friends and network about it so that, like I have, others can benefit from the increased connection these events offer.”
The Health and Wellbeing Day on Friday, August 16 will run at Merkinch Community Centre in Coronation Park, Inverness, from 10am to 1.30pm. Anyone with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, or supports someone with a diagnosis, is welcome to attend.
To book visit ovacome.org.uk/event/inverness-health-and-wellbeing-event, call 0800 0087054 or email ovacome@ovacome.org.uk. Ovacome are able to provide practical and financial assistance for travel or accommodation, if required, as well as emotional support on the day.
Alongside the Health and Wellbeing Day, Ovacome will also be visiting Café 1668 on Church Street in Inverness between 2pm and 4pm. Anyone is invited to drop in to meet the charity, including professionals working with people affected by the disease, and take away materials to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer for their local communities. These materials are available in multiple languages and formats. Drop-ins are welcomed, but you can register to attend by visiting ovacome.org.uk/Event/inverness-symptom-awareness-day-2024.
Ovacome raises awareness of the four most common symptoms of ovarian cancer through their B.E.A.T campaign - Bloating that doesn’t come and go; Eating difficulty and feeling full more quickly; Abdominal and pelvic pain you feel most days; and Toilet changes in urination or bowel habits.
