Cannock group is breathing easy after inaugural award nomination

Added: (Thu Aug 27 2009)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Breathe Easy Cannock, a group supported by the British Lung Foundation, has been put forward for the Patients’ Choice – Quality and Excellence Awards, organised by South Staffs Primary Care Trust (PCT).

Nominated for the ‘Public Involvement’ category, the entirely self-funded group has around 100 members all of whom suffer with breathing problems of varying degrees.

Providing a place of support, meetings are held once a month at Cannock Hospital. Usually there is a specialist speaker such as a nurse or Doctor present where members can ask any questions or simply just talk together.

Jasmine Smith, Vice Chair of the group said: “We formed around 12 years ago and have steadily increased in numbers since then. It is a great place where we can all get together as people with a common illness and talk about our problems and concerns.

“It’s not just for sufferers though, it is also a place where family members and carers can come. It is a huge support network and makes a big difference in our area.

“As well as offering support, we also undertake fundraising through various activities. We’ve recently purchased a portable oxygen machine through our funding so that members can borrow it to take away with them.

“People don’t realise how much equipment you have to take with you when you go on a journey so this enables people to travel easier and hopefully makes their breaks away stress-free and enjoyable.

“We are delighted to have been nominated for this award – we’ve got a committee of 15 that work hard to ensure that this service continues and we’re really looking forward to the awards evening.”

The shortlisted candidates now go forward to the awards final taking place on September 9 at the Staffordshire County Showground.