Last week, we shared some photos from our visit to Abercynon, where we teamed up with our friends at Ray of Light to help make a positive impact at their new home. This week, we’re excited to take you a step closer with a new video showcasing the day in action! Supporting the local community is at the core of CRT’s mission, and this visit was no exception. As you’ll see in the video, it was a very busy day as we tackled a variety of tasks to enhance the facilities that Ray of Light provides to the people they support. From small fixes to larger jobs, each effort was a step toward making a real difference to the site. We hope you enjoy watching the video as much as we enjoyed making it happen. Thank you for being a part of our journey to support and uplift those that need it most.

The CRT team were out in the community recently supporting our friends at Ray of Light a remarkable cancer support group offering a wide range of assistance to those impacted by cancer. We were thrilled to bring in an enthusiastic group of volunteers from the CRT team and Welsh Water to Ray of Lights fantastic venue in Abercynon, to see how we could lend a hand and enhance the space. As part of our CRT Together initiative, collaboration is essential. In the Cwm Taf Morgannwg area alone, 3,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year, and no single organisation can support all those in need. That’s why partnerships like the one between CRT and Ray of Light are so valuable. Working together, we aim to serve the broader community in the most impactful way possible. We had a fantastic day spent outdoors, helping to improve Ray of Light’s facilities and they have also benefited financially from our partnership, as one of the recipients of the Breaking Barriers Fund , which funded the solar panels on their roof, helping them be energy efficient for years to come. The Ray of Light facility isn't your typical cancer support centre. It’s not just about quiet rooms and talking circles. It’s a vibrant place where people can engage in craft activities, participate in wellbeing sessions, or simply enjoy the fresh air. Ray of Light offers a refreshing and holistic approach to support, and we look forward to continuing our wonderful partnership with Sue and her team for many years to come. To find out more about Ray of Light visit their website at: www.rayoflightwales.org.uk

We've been working with Leila for a while now, and her sessions are designed to be engaging, interactive, and most importantly, fun. These sessions are specifically designed for women recovering from breast cancer, offering a supportive environment to connect and heal. They are led by female instructors unless stated otherwise on the event posters. As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it's the perfect time to highlight how initiatives like these play a vital role in the recovery journey. Therapy and healing don't always have to involve sitting down and talking; these sessions offer an active, uplifting way to support both physical and emotional well-being. We hope they are a great success and lead to the formation of a dedicated breast cancer recovery group. We wish Leila and her team continued success in helping women through their recovery. For more information and to book your spot for free via Eventbrite, please follow the link below. BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE

Have Your Say! Support the National Strategic Clinical Network for Cancer by completing a survey designed to understand the emotional impact of cancer and the support services available to you. Cancer can bring about many different emotions, affecting not only the individual diagnosed but also their friends, families, and carers. These emotions may change over time, and having access to support can help manage them. As part of this project, we would like to hear about your experiences in seeking help for your concerns, or if you felt there was a lack of support available to help manage your feelings and emotions during this time. The team is inviting individuals, family members, and carers impacted by cancer to participate by completing this survey. The overall aim of the project is to identify gaps in current service provision and offer recommendations to enhance psychological and emotional support for cancer patients, their families, and carers. Link to Survey - English Link to Survey - Welsh If you require any further information or would like to share your experience by contacting the team. CLICK TO EMAIL TEAM Or by completing the following form LINK TO FORM and a member of the team will get back to you. Thank you - your contribution can make a real difference.

On Saturday 5th October 2024 we marked a very special occasion as we celebrated the 16th year of Bosom Pals’ unwavering support for cancer patients and their families. Hosted by CRT Together, the concert was a heartfelt tribute to the incredible work that Bosom Pals has carried out throughout the years, providing crucial support to those navigating their cancer journey and beyond. The event also served to raise essential funds to ensure that this wonderful group can continue its vital work within the community. Bosom Pals, known for their compassionate care and support, is now further empowered through the backing of CRT Together, along with their patrons including Rhondda Cynon Taff Council, community councils, and Interlink . This partnership ensures that Bosom Pals can carry on its mission to provide strength, hope, and love to those in need.

As of Wednesday 9 th October 2024, Bowel Screening Wales will start to invite people aged 50 for bowel cancer screening for the first time. It follows the lowering of the age from 60 to 51 over the previous three years. The programme will be rolled out to the newly eligible age group gradually over the next 10 months. Bowel cancer is one of the most common causes of death from cancer in Wales. Over 2,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in Wales, and it results in over 900 deaths. Evidence shows that screening people at a younger age enables more bowel cancers to be picked up at an earlier stage, when treatment is likely to be more effective and survival chances improved. The screening test used is the highly effective Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), which is easy for people to use at home, requiring just one sample of poo. The test looks for tiny traces of blood (haemoglobin) in the sample, which are too small to be seen but can be an indicator of bowel cancer and benign polyps. In addition to the age expansion to 50-year-olds, Bowel Screening Wales will also lower the positive threshold level of the screening FIT from 120µg of haemoglobin/g for faeces to 80µg from Monday 7 th October 2024. This change will increase the sensitivity of the screening test and result in more cancers, polyps and adenomas being detected by screening. The following statement has been released by Welsh Government: Bowel screening age lowered to 50 in Wales | GOV.WALES

As the sun sets over St. Paul's, a heartfelt moment arises following a wonderful meeting with Macmillan at their head office. The news broke of Princess Kate completing her chemotherapy treatment for cancer. She shared her experience, speaking of how vital support was during this challenging time. For anyone currently facing a cancer diagnosis, we at CRT Together, in partnership with Macmillan and other community organisations, are here to assist with practical concerns and provide the support you need. Reach out to us and let us help you through this difficult time. You can find out more about what we do by visiting our new website which is www.crttogether.org .

CRT Together are proud to be supporting an unforgettable Evening of Music and Song as we celebrate 16 wonderful years of Bosom Pals Breast Cancer Support Group in Pontyclun. 📅 Date: 5th October 2024 🏛️ Venue: Talbot Green Community Centre, CF72 8FE 🕖 Time: Doors open 6:15pm for a 7:30pm start We have worked together to secure a fantastic line-up of performances that will guarantee a night filled with music, joy and celebration. The venue will be beautifully dressed to acknowledge Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there will be chances to purchase items from the Bosom Pal ladies and buy raffle tickets, with proceeds supporting the cause. You’ll also learn more about our programme and how we can support individuals across Cwm Taf Morgannwg who have been impacted by cancer. CRT Together is proud to be involved in this special event and we hope you will join us in celebrating this milestone. Tickets are now available and can be purchased through Sue Hadlow or The Boars Head. T. 07889 044 697 E. suhadlow13@btinternet.com