Welcome to the September Newsletter!

We’re excited to bring you this month’s edition! Check out all our updates, upcoming events, recipes, and more.

Thanks for reading, and we hope you enjoy!

Chloe :)

What We’ve Been Up To

Craft Club

Date: Thursday 5th & Thursday 19th September 2024

Location: Sam’s Diamonds Office, St Marie’s Church,

Lugsdale Rd, Widnes, WA8 6DB

We got crafty! We had lots of craft activities to choose from, such as knitting, crochet, sewing, clay modelling, book folding … the list was endless! There will be lots of tea and coffee available after every session
 

Book Club

Date: Tuesday 10th September 2024

Location: Griffin Inn, 184 Warrington Rd, Bold Heath, Widnes WA8 3XT

For this month's book club, the first book to read was ‘Eye For An Eye’ by MJ Arlidge. Our second choice was ‘If I Let You Go’ by Charlotte Levin.

This month, our lovely Dawn introduced a fun new twist, “A Blind Date with a Book.” For October, everyone will share a short review of their mystery read. It’s a fun way to discover new authors and genres!

Art Club

Date: Thursday 12th & Thursday 26th September 2024

Location: Sam’s Diamonds Office, St Maries Church,

Lugsdale Rd, Widnes, WA8 6DB

Fancy brushing up on your art skills? Join us every month for a relaxing art session and let your creative juices flow. No artistic experience is necessary. All materials will be provided, along with copious amounts of tea and coffee.

Zoom Call

Date: Tuesday 17th September 2024

We got together for a brew and a chat from the comfort of our own homes! Perfect if you live too far to join our clubs.

Jumble Sale

We were so so grateful for the amazing turnout of our previous jumble sales, we will be hosting more jumble says on the first Sunday of the following months:

Date & times: 6th October, 3rd November

Location: St Maries Church, Lugsdale Rd, Widnes, WA8 6DB, 12-3pm

If you have any donations that you would like to give, we would be more than happy to take them in! Please drop them off at our office by the last Friday before the event - thank you!!

Our Private Facebook Group

Helpful Apps and Content

Becca - Becca is a free app providing trustworthy information and real-life stories for those facing primary breast cancer. It offers tips and suggestions on side effects, menopausal symptoms, fatigue, diet, exercise, and body image.

Calm - Give the Calm app a try for sleep and meditation. Whether you're new to meditation or need a mental break, Calm has you covered with meditations, sleep stories, music, and more.

Our Youtube Channel - On the Sam’s Diamonds YouTube channel, there are lots of helpful videos on various topics such as makeup tips, prosthesis and bra fitting, as well as cancer signs and symptoms.

Mindfulness Techniques

Research indicates that mindfulness and relaxation practices can be powerful methods for calming the mind and managing stress. These techniques are increasingly being advised in cancer management to improve overall well-being.

Here are some effective mindfulness techniques to consider:

• Deep Breathing Exercises: Inhale slowly through your nose, letting your stomach rise, and exhale gently through your mouth. This practice helps calm your mind and relax your body.

• Box Breathing: Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale through your mouth for 4 seconds, and hold again for 4 seconds. This technique regulates your breathing and reduces anxiety.

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• Guided Imagery: Visualise calming scenes or peaceful environments to shift your focus away from stress and facilitate relaxation.

• Mindfulness Apps: Use apps like Calm or Headspace for guided mindfulness, relaxation exercises and sleep aids.

Incorporating these mindfulness practices into your routine can enhance your sleep quality and overall well-being during cancer treatment.

Self Examination - What To Look For

It is important, especially for those who menstruate, to check yourself for lumps around the same time each month - as breasts change slightly throughout the monthly cycle. Therefore, it is easier to spot abnormal changes if you keep your self examination consistent. Most people tend to check themselves in the shower.

We advise that you visit your GP if you experience any of the following:

• Lumps - if you find a lump or thickening of the breast that feels different from the rest

• Texture - if you find a change in skin texture, such as dimpling

• Discharge - unless you're in the late stages of pregnancy/postpartum, see your GP if you find discharge from the nipple

• Retraction - if your nipple pulls in or changes shape

• Swelling - if you experience swelling in your armpit or collarbone

   

• Redness - if you find a rash or redness on the skin of the breast, or around the nipple area

Click here to watch Sam stand on an international stage, spreading awareness on how to check yourself for lumps with our TikTok dance!!

Self Examination - Testicular Cancer

For men, it is also important to check for testicular cancer whilst in the shower. If you find any abnormalities, you should see your GP.

See below for a step by step guide on how to check for testicular cancer!

• Familiarise - while soaping yourself up in the shower, familiarise yourself with your epididymis and spermatic cords, located behind the testicle. Besides these, your testicle should feel like a grape

• Cup - cup one testicle at a time using both hands, and examine each one by rolling the testicle between the thumb and forefingers

• Roll - using a firm but gentle rolling motion, find the epididymis. If you're familiar with this structure, you won't mistake it for an abnormality

• Abnormalities - look for any lumps, changes in size, shape or texture. You should look out for any swelling/ changes in colour. Remember - it’s normal for one testicle to be slightly bigger!

Recipe of the Month- Parsnip and Coconut Soup

Prep time - 15 minutes

Cook time - 45 minutes

Servings - 4 to 6

Ingredients:

• Olive oil (2 tbsp)

• 1 large onion

• chopped 1 garlic clove,

• finely chopped Fresh ginger (25mm/1 inch), peeled and chopped

• Garam masala (1 tbsp)

• 6 parsnips (about 600g/ 1lb 5oz) roughly chopped

• Full-fat coconut milk (500ml/1 pint)

• Vegetable stock (1 litre/1.75 pints) Salt and black pepper

Method:

1) Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Add the onion, garlic, ginger and garam masala. Gently fry the mixture for 3–5 minutes, until the onions begin to soften but not colour.

2) Add the parsnips and mix well with the other ingredients to bring out all the flavours.

3) Pour the coconut milk and stock into the pan. Season with salt and pepper and bring the soup to the boil. Stir well.

4) Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook with the lid on for 30 minutes.

5) Check the parsnips are soft by piercing through to the centre with a sharp knife. Remove the soup from the heat and blend to a smooth puree with a blender or food processor.

6) Adjust seasoning to taste and serve.

Our Christmas Fair

Save the date!

Our Christmas Fair will take place on Sunday 1st December!

@ St Marie’s, Lugsdale Rd, Widnes. WA8 6DH

We are currently accepting applications from potential stallholders, so if you are a local crafter or an independent business and would like to show your festive products at our fair, please get in touch via the email

fundraising@samsdiamonds.org.uk

There will be a limited number of stalls available, and there will be a charge of £15 per table

Thank you for reading this month's newsletter! See you next month :)