Zest for Life for Cancer Patients in Omagh

This is a six week personal development course for people who are on a survival and recovery period in their cancer journey.

Starting on Wednesday 6th February 2013, the course will take place at the Care For Cancer Information and Resource Centre, 1 Campsie Place, Omagh, from 10.30am to 1pm for six consecutive weeks until 13th March.

Zest for Life will be facilitated by locally based Cancer Focus counsellor, Helen Murphy, who said, “The course can help people who have had a cancer diagnosis to pinpoint lifestyle changes which will have a positive impact on their physical and mental health.   

“Everyone is unique and we understand that cancer affects everyone differently. Cancer can make people feel that they have lost control, increase their feelings of isolation and can often reduce a person’s self-esteem. Zest for Life aims to help people to understand and manage stress, encourage positive thinking, adopt relaxation techniques and explore complementary therapies. 

“By identifying personal values and realistic goal setting, people often regain a sense of balance and become empowered and motivated to move forward and embrace the future.”

Cancer survivor, mum of five Noelle Heagney, from Greencastle, near Omagh, went along to Zest for Life while she was recovering from breast cancer. “I found it a really positive experience,” she said. 

“I hadn’t a clue what the course would involve but I decided it couldn’t do me any harm to go along and have a look. The best thing for me personally was the chance to make new friends.

“My children are all young and they helped me get through my illness – they kept me busy and my mind off things. It was only once my hospital treatment was over that I had time to sit down and think about what I’d been through.

“Though family and friends are a huge support, it is so helpful to get together with other people who have been through the same thing as you and understand how you are feeling. It is an excellent way of helping to build up your confidence and strength again.

“When you hear others talking about their worries and emotions it’s very comforting to know you aren’t the only one who feels that way. The course helped many of us talk about things we had been bottling up.

“We discussed all sorts of issues from diet and health to exercise and emotions in a caring, confidential setting, and swapped ideas such on how to cope with side effects of our treatment and tiredness. I felt I could help other people too, which was very good. I’d encourage anyone going through their treatment or recovering from cancer to go along – it can only lead to positive things.” 

Zest for Life is entirely confidential and takes place in a safe and caring environment. Materials will be provided for participants and like all services provided by Cancer Focus (the new name for the Ulster Cancer Foundation), the programme is free of charge.

For further information or to book your place please contact Toby Wheelerat Cancer Focus on 028 9068 0751 or email tobywheeler@cancerfocusni.org. Cancer Focus would encourage anyone interested in taking part to pre-book as there are a limited number of places available.