By admin Uncategorized March 24, 2015

SEARCHING FOR CANCER VOICES

Date Posted: 24-03-2015

An inspirational Choir in the North West of England is searching the UK for its counterparts. Bolton Cancer Voices was established in June 2012 as a Choir for cancer patients and cancer survivors. Membership is open to cancer patients whether newly diagnosed and in treatment, living with cancer as a life-limiting condition or a cancer survivor regardless of the time since diagnosis.

The Choir provides a positive, motivational and diversionary environment in which members have fun, enjoy the challenges and exhilaration of performing and have a focus aside from their illness: it offers an informal forum to meet with others in a similar situation and benefit from mutual support and understanding.

Though cancer brings this Choir together they don’t permit it to define or confine them: Bolton Cancer Voices is a community Choir like any other, with a full and varied programme of performances and activities, which already runs in to 2016! One of the projects they are keen to pursue next year is a residential singing weekend; an opportunity they would like to use to meet up with any other Choirs with a comparable membership to their own.

Karen Elliott, Founder and Chair of Bolton Cancer Voices said:

‘We have found a few Choirs that have a broader membership than our own accepting carers, family, friends and those bereaved through cancer but so far have only been able to identify one other Choir that reflects our own criteria for membership: it would be awesome to hear from any others out there.’

There are no less than 14 individual tumour types represented in Bolton Cancer Voices and analysis shows that a third of members joined within 12 months of receiving their diagnosis; the shortest period being 1 day post diagnosis and the longest 55 years!

An audit undertaken last year indicated that the Choir is proving to have more than just entertainment value for its members with 80% of respondents reporting they felt they had benefited physically, mentally or emotionally from being in the Choir; 80% citing mental or emotional benefits and 60% physical. Reported outcomes included improved breathing; increased energy levels; a more positive outlook and an increased sense of well-being.

When speaking of their experiences this is what some of the members had to say:

Brian: -‘Singing is a way out of a problem, it softens my worries, it calms me down. When I’m singing I’m on a high, it’s an escape from the real world. It helps control the pain I suffer; I really don’t know what I would be like without it. The Choir members are like an extended family; we all get on well and support each other when times are bad.’

Kath: – ‘Bolton Cancer Voices has had a wonderful impact on my recovery – I am 4 years post-diagnosis and singing always lifts my spirits and makes me feel so much better.’

Margaret: – ‘I was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2013 and my life changed dramatically. I went along to rehearsal and felt at home immediately; now I had a purpose in life and a roomful of new friends.’

Pat: – ‘Having the Choir has given me a totally new perspective to my life at a time of great personal challenges. Singing is a great way to lift spirits; I can walk in feeling tired, perhaps after having had treatment, but the atmosphere, the people and the singing just give me the biggest buzz possible.’

Lynne: – ‘The Choir has added 100% to my quality of life since cancer; music works wonders!’

Despite their health issues members of Bolton Cancer Voices embrace life and live it to the full.

Karen says:

‘You will never meet a more amazing, fun-loving, positive and inspirational group of people than the members of Bolton Cancer Voices and I’m extremely proud of how far we’ve come together in a relatively short period of time. The Choir is everything and more that I hoped it would be.’

Last year the Choir’s hectic festive season saw them undertake a performance for a private function, present their second ‘Jingle Bell Sing-A-Long’ concert accompanied by the renowned Besses o’ th’ Barn Band; record their first CD and appear in Manchester Cathedral at the annual Christmas Celebration of Greater Manchester Police.

Karen can be contacted on 01204 595562 / 07773 164235 or email boltoncancervoices@yahoo.com.