A NEW support group for patients diagnosed with various forms of blood cancer is set to start in Skipton.

Independent charity Cancer Support Yorkshire is launching ‘Blood Buddies’ on Tuesday, June 12, at its centre on Otley Street.

And special guest on the day is consultant haematologist at Airedale Hospital, Dr Michail Spanoudakis.

Skipton support centre manager Debi Hawkins said: “We have a number of clients who are affected by a blood cancer diagnosis and over the past couple of years we have put people in touch with each other over the telephone, but now, as the centre has been open almost four years and client numbers are growing, it has become apparent that a more co-ordinated support for clients is needed.

“One of our clients had relocated to Skipton from Carlisle and he asked specifically if there was a Blood Buddies group. There wasn’t - so we decided to set a group up!

“We spoke to Blood Buddies’ Carlisle, who gave us some background to how their group first started.

“They also gave us permission to use that name for our group, and we agreed to keep in touch with a view to sharing information and best practice.

“The monthly support group will invite speakers and be a safe, friendly space to meet with others going through the same experience.”

The launch will start at 1.30pm, with Dr Spanoudakis speaking at about 2.15pm.

He said: “I believe in the holistic approach to patient care and that patients are always the first priority for the health professionals.

“My busy outpatient clinics don’t always give me the time that I would wish to spend with the patients.

“I would like to achieve that by supporting actions outside of hospital which would improve the interaction with the patients.”

To book places at the launch, or to join the group, call the centre on 01756 228088 or email: d.hawkins@csyorkshire.org.uk

The support group will meet at the centre on the second Tuesday of the month, 1.30-3.30pm.

Cancer Support Yorkshire was originally set up as the cancer support centre in 1988 to provide a counselling service to those affected by the disease, and was based in Bradford.

The satellite centre in Skipton was set up in September 2014 to provide support for the people of Craven, Wharfedale and the surrounding areas, and there has also been a ‘pre-loved’ shop in Skipton, on Belmont Bridge, since last year.