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Caring for the carers


Published on Tuesday 23 June 2009 17:48

A brave widower is using his experiences of cancer to start up a self-help group for carers.

Alex Burton, of West Paddock, Leyland, hopes to fill the gap in support for the people who look after cancer sufferers.

His Carers in Cancer group is dedicated to his late wife, Dorothy, who died nine years ago of breast cancer, at the age of 47.

Alex has since thrown himself into working with cancer charities, including helping produce a special guide by carers for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Alex, 59, said: "When I set this up, because of my experience, I recognised right from the start that carers don't get time off.

"So the aim of this group is to go out to where the carers are. We have outline permission to go into the local hospitals and have drop-in meetings there. We are also hoping to have a 'buddy' service in place by the end of the year, with one of our carers matched up with another carer to offer help."

Alex is backed by his daughter, Carolynn Burton, and her children Alex and Charlotte.

Last year they ran the annual Race For Life at Worden Park in memory of Dorothy.

Alex, who suffers from chronic arthritis, gave up his job as an engineer to care for his wife, spending his life savings on equipping the house to meet her needs.

He recalled: "I was trying to stay calm and upbeat. The strain is indescribable. It feels like you're totally alone. Cancer patients are well supported, carers are not. If you go into the chemotherapy suite at Chorley hospital, there can be 20 or 30 carers in there. That is where we want to be to support people.

Alex is appealing for more volunteers.

For more details, go to www.www.carers-in-cancer.co.uk or call 01772 456356.


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Thursday 24 May 2012

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