Bosom Friends is a group of ladies who have had, or are having, treatment for breast cancer. The group was formed in 1987 by breast cancer patients at Glenfield Hospital who wanted to give ladies the chance to talk to each other and to share their feelings about how to cope with the effects of breast cancer. Nurses at Glenfield Hospital helped to set up the group and continue to support it by displaying flyers and providing information for new members.
The group has been meeting ever since and continues to provide a friendly environment where the ladies can have some fun, relax and make friends within the safety of their common bond to one another.
Some of the meetings are “Coffee and Chat” which provide the chance for the group members to talk and get to know one another. At others, they may have a guest speaker or demonstration. The group sometimes arranges social activities such as skittles evenings, boat trips and meals out.
The group have helped many women and their families over the last 35 years.
In the past 15 years alone 159 different ladies have come to meetings.
One lady has been attending the group regularly for 31 years, two others for 30 years. They still enjoy the friendship and support which Bosom Friends provides.
Another lady who joined the group this year said “I just wanted to say thank you for your meeting last week. I had lots of questions when I came. I found chatting to those around me very helpful. A lot of my fears were calmed. It’s great what you do!”
Over the years the group have fundraised to enable it to contribute to charities such as LOROS and to provide much needed hospital equipment. More recently, during the Covid pandemic the group donated money to purchase comfort packs for hospital staff and have contributed to the Secret Garden at Glenfield Hospital, where patients and staff can relax. Hospital gowns for the Breast Care Unit at the hospital have also been provided by Bosom Friends.
The group celebrated their 35th birthday this year with a pub skittles evening. The finale to their 2022 programme was a Festive Evening, attended by Janet Till, one of the founding members of the group. The Bosom Friends look forward to sharing many future years together.
The group meets on the last Thursday of each month (excluding December) from 7.30pm at Sue Young Cancer Support, Helen Webb House, 35 Westleigh Road, Leicester. LE3 0HH. Further details about the group can be found on their website: www.bosomfriendsleicestershire.com