When the group started 35 years ago there was very little information available and little or no support for people with cancer. The group that Joyce Walton co-founded with Gill Hurd together with the services of Dr Patrick Kingsley not only provided support and information to cancer sufferers but also to their families, friends and carers who are equally affected by a cancer diagnosis. The focus of the group was and still is positivity and self-help empowering cancer patients to take measures to help their own bodies heal. Its focus is to treat the cause of cancer rather than the symptoms and it uses a variety of complementary mind/body/spirit therapies to achieve this. This was a fundamental change of thinking however many of the things that they advocated then have since been accepted by the medical profession. The meetings have always been held outside the hospital environment on neutral ground and they are positive and upbeat with a can do attitude.
The benefits to cancer sufferers are numerous. For the first time they have hope despite a poor diagnosis. They have a wealth of information provided with a comprehensive library of books CDs and now DVDs. They have the opportunity to meet with others to share their experiences and to learn from and support each other. The opportunity for their family friends and carers to meet support and share their experiences and to learn more about cancer and what they can do to feel involved. They have role models to inspire them i.e. Joyce overcame cancer three times and Gill Hurd lived a further 15 years after being told there was no hope. They have somewhere to go that is fun and positive. They are able to take advantage of free complementary therapies, to learn meditation and visualization and see a nutritionist if they wish. There is financial help i.e. help towards the cost of car parking whilst undergoing therapy and information on services that they can access free as a cancer sufferer. There are social events that are usually free or very heavily subsidized an annual Christmas dinner and the opportunity to go on holidays and retreats most of which are paid for by the group. They have the opportunity to take control of their own healing journey and to make a decision on what is best for them after accessing up to date comprehensive information. They are able to include their family friends and carers in their healing journey who often feel excluded.