A new choir will meet and sing for the first time in Bangor tomorrow
The choir will bring together Alaw Ward staff, cancer survivors, cancer patients and their families, and their first get together is expected to be an emotional but also a fun and uplifting evening.
Tomorrow a very special group of men and women will meet to sing together for the very first time at Capel Berea Newydd, in Bangor.
The choir will bring together Alaw Ward staff, cancer survivors, cancer patients and their families, and their first get together is expected to be an emotional but also a fun and uplifting evening.
“I think it’s going to be very emotional singing together, but I’m also sure we’ll have a lot of fun too,” said Helen Owen, who finished treatment for breast cancer in March, on the Alaw Ward in Ysbyty Gwynedd, and has since received the all clear.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting people who have been in the same situation as me, or who are going through treatment now as we can all offer support to each other.”
Helen, who is a school secretary in Llanberis, said she’s found that although cancer patients receive a lot of support during treatment, afterwards you’re pretty much on your own.
“The lack of support after treatment is not a bad reflection on the Alaw Ward staff at all, they are all absolutely brilliant and they all say to phone if we need anything, but really what past patients need sometimes is just a chat with someone who understands what it’s like to have been through the things we have.”
The 55-year-old mum to two boys, added: “I’m so looking forward to singing in the choir, I’ve been in choirs all my life and I love it.
“I’d like to thank Sioned Lewis for organising it as it’s a great idea and hopefully a lot of people will come tonight.”
The mixed choir will also have amongst its members, people who have lost loved ones to cancer, according to Sioned, who is a health care practioner.
“Before Covid, I got together a breast cancer survivors choir for the Rhys Meirion show on S4C,” explained Sioned.
“All those that took part really enjoyed it and people were always asking me when it was coming back.
“A lot of former patients explained to me that there’s not a lot of support after treatment so I’m hoping the choir will help, we’ll meet every three weeks and hopefully we’ll have our first proper fund-raising concert in April.”
Sioned added: “I’m really looking forward to tomorrow, quite a few Alaw staff are coming and I’d like to thank them for their support.
"Thanks to Awyr Las for providing the refreshments."