| Why RBF was started |
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Rhondda Breast Friends was set up by Chairman Diane Raybould and friends after her daughter, Helen Harcombe, died of breast cancer at the age of 28. Diane was also diagnosed with breast cancer a month after Helen and both started radiotherapy on the same day. Sadly Helen’s cancer was more advanced and Diane gave up her job as a complementary therapist working in Cancer Support Cynon Valley, to help Helen and her family through further treatment. Sadly she died in December 2004, leaving her husband and 7 year old daughter Ffion. “I always thought of myself as a strong person but it was the most terrifying, frustrating, isolating period of my life. I was a volcano of feelings and emotions. A month after Helen’s death, her oncologist told me, “You have to move on…”. Helen had touched the hearts of many worldwide with her “Mummy Manual,” a list of everyday things for her husband on how to bring up their seven year old daughter. This was seen as a very positive way to help other families in the same situation. Having lived through the experience, Diane also wanted to help others cope with their cancer and treatments. Taking Ffion to school, Diane was soon befriended by other mothers, many of whom had been friends of Helen’s. The idea of a support group was talked about over a coffee with Nicola Jones, area supervisor of Slimming World, who then organised a Christmas ball and raised £1,400 to start the group. Other trustees volunteered their services and RBF was formed. MacMillan then awarded RBF a start up grant of £500. Rhondda Breast Friends was launched in January 2006 with great support from the community, voluntary and statutory bodies. Leighton Andrews AM presented the Slimming World cheque of £1,400 (see photo above) at the launch. |