ECCLESHALL CANCER WARRIORS
ABOUT US
Lets talk about cancer
Eccleshall Cancer Warriors was established n 2022, to provide a safe space for people affected by cancer to share their experiences and emotions with other people who have cancer. People in stressful situations benefit from having a good social support system, and Eccleshall Cancer Warriors are to hear to support you. We emphasize transparency in everything we do, setting bold goals and pursuing a clear strategy that seeks to help you when needed most. We are constantly growing and adapting to the changes of society, and invite you to learn more about how you can make an impact in others lives.
Mandy Willberry
I'm mandy
I am a senior nurse, mum to a 10 year old ,and last year married my soul mate. I live in the lovely market town of Eccleshall ,belong to the local amateur Dramatics group and have a amazing friends!
Sounds perfect ... except for I have had cancer twice...both rare and unrelated. The 1st was 14 years ago and a rare gynaecology cancer and more recently appendix cancer. I had my appendix removed as an emergency in Jan 2020 and a few weeks later I was told I had a grade IV tumour growing inside appendix. I had a right hemicolectomy and went through an agonising few weeks while I waited for results. I felt my life was hanging by a thread. The whole emotional process was made worse as we had just gone into national lock down. Eventually I was given the news I wanted the cancer hadn't spread and appendicitis had saved my life. Unfortunately the risk of reoccurrence was high and so started the process of regular scans ,blood tests, colonoscopys, and so the emotional roller coaster and scan anxiety began....With each test my anxiety got worse ,my son was so young and life felt so unfair .Most people worry about where they go on holiday but I as others who have had cancer worry about each test and making it to 5 years!
I came up with idea of a support group to offer peer to peer support to help with the anxiety, sad times, angry times, and no one understands times. After the first meeting friendships and understandings were made and so myself , Annie, Emma and Helen formed Eccleshall Cancer Warriors...and so our journey begins
Emma Sandau
Hi, I'm Emma! I have lived in Eccleshall for 7 years now, before this I was living in Spain with my partner for 2 years. I met my Danish husband while we were both living in Australia, and have since also spent a year living together in Denmark. We're settled now in Eccleshall and absolutely love it here!
We were married in August 2017 and found out we were pregnant in October 2017 with our little god of thunder Thorben. We were so lucky to have our beautiful boy and didn't think anything could burst our happy bubble but when he was 6 months old I found out I had cervical cancer. It was a shock and we had some big decisions to make, but we were strong for each other and, most importantly, for Thorben. I had a hysterectomy in February 2019 and have been cancer free for the years since. It has certainly changed our perspective on life and we take each day as a gift.
After my operation I lost my confidence for a while, I've always been quite confident but I had been knocked back by it. Dancing helped me get back to my true self and I have since become qualified in teaching dance and have set up a dance class based on building confidence and self empowerment.
I love giving back to the community and helping others so the Eccleshall Cancer Warriors group has been a great help both for me to give back to others but also to have people I can openly talk to about any issues or problems I'm having. I look forward to meeting new people and hopefully helpings others ❤️
Annie Magowan
Hi I am Annie, my husband and I moved into lovely Eccleshall in January 2019 after buying and carrying out extensive refurbishments to our bungalow. In November of that year after a lump appeared on my forehead I was diagnosed with Cancer. I started chemo immediately and that was followed by radiotherapy, by the time all that was completed in May2020 we were well in to covid and lockdown. That summer was spent regrowing my hair, and creating a garden at our bungalow.
My family and friends have been wonderful but, it is difficult for anyone who hasn't been on that terrible journey, to fully know the trauma and sadness that is left behind. Having the opportunity to chat with people who have been on that journey has really helped me. I am really thankful for it.
