Support for Patients & Their Families
Patient Testimonials
- “…I’ll never forget the strength which your support pack provided me with just before I started chemo. I clearly remember Nurse xxxxx and Dr xxxxx referring to you guys just after I was diagnosed and the impact which you have on the local area is incredible.”
- “Hi, I’m currently sat in Mulbarton ward waiting room getting ready for my first round of chemo post orchiectomy and my nurse has just dropped a bag of goodies off for me, kindly donated by you. I just wanted to thank you so much, its certainly brightened up this gloomy day. Thanks again.”
- “I can’t thank you enough not only for this kind gesture but also the support that you have given my wife.”
- “I would just like to thank you for the extremely generous gift of the support pack I received from the charity while at the hospital on Tuesday. It was a very welcome and kind gesture and very much appreciated and not at all expected. Thank you.”
Patient Support Packs
These are given to all testicular cancer patients when they start treatment in participating hospitals. We know from experience that chemotherapy treatment goes hand in hand with side effects and we have included items to make patients time in hospital more comfortable
Some of our items include:
- Thermal mug: Keeps hot drinks warm & cold drinks cool. Hydration is important during chemotherapy treatment
- ‘bambuu’ toothbrush: Chemotherapy can cause sore gums & gum disease. These special brushes have soft antibacterial bristles.
- Lip balm: Chemotherapy can cause dry & cracked/sore lips.
- Strong mints: Chemotherapy can cause a dry metallic taste in the mouth.
- Snood scarf: Helps with body warmth due to hair loss.
- Digital Thermometer: Monitoring body temperature in case of infection.
Buddy System (Peer Support)
If you have been diagnosed recently and want to talk to someone then contact us via email to info@itsontheball.org We will put you touch with one of our members who has been through this themselves, and be happy to meet up for a coffee, (or a pint!), or have a chat over the phone to talk about their experience and what they did to cope through the process. We also offer support to family members who may be concerned.
Practical Support
We have been able to help patients with travel expenses, childcare costs and other requests.
We know that some men find it hard to cope with being diagnosed with cancer and we will fund individual counselling sessions for patients when needed.
All the above support requests are referrals to us from Oncology staff and are considered on a case by case basis.
Support Events
Our support events give men and their families the opportunity to meet others who have been through testicular cancer too.
All of our events are informal, you don’t have to talk about testicular cancer or your experiences, it just gives individuals and families a chance to meet and socialise with others who have been or are going through similar times.
Further Afield/Additional Support
Our charity mainly covers East Anglia. We can also signpost you to other local and national organisations which offer support. We hope that within the list below, you will find a charity or an advocate that you can connect with and find the help you are looking for.
Norfolk and Waveney Mind offers help whenever people need it through their information, advice and local services. They aim to make sure every individual experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.
Star Throwers is a cancer support charity based in Norfolk dedicated to supporting people affected by cancer, from diagnosis through to life after cancer. The charity provides cancer information sessions to help people to become well-informed about their cancer and all of their treatment options, and help people to manage the effects of their cancer and cancer treatments through wellbeing support. All of the support Star Throwers offers is available to cancer patients and carers (age 18+) with any form of cancer at any stage of diagnosis and is completely free of charge.
Mind Over Cancer Mind Over Cancer is a charity that supports the Mental Health of a young person given a cancer diagnosis between the ages of 0 and 29 as well as their family and support network. We understand that a cancer diagnosis doesn’t disappear when treatment stops, so our services are available to these young people and their loved ones at any stage of their life.
TrekStock Provides support, guidance and connection to a community of young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer through unique experiences, specialist advice designed to keep them active during or beyond treatment, informative events and expert information.