MAKE 2nds Count, a patient and family-focused charity dedicated to giving hope to women and men living with Secondary Breast Cancer, has launched a monthly meeting in:- St Helens, where patients can gather to share experiences and advice, widening their support network.

The Tea & A Chat meetings will be held on the 2nd Thursday of each month between:- 9.30am to 11.30am at:- Cafe Laziz, Central Link Children's Centre and will be open to anyone to attend.

Debra Hill, Event Host and Secondary Breast Cancer patient who will be supporting the launch of the 1st Tea & A Chat. in St Helens, with Make 2nds Count said:- “I am honoured to set up a Tea & Chat group within Central Link Children's Centre in St. Helens for Make 2nds Count, as they have both supported me immensely since my secondary diagnosis.  It is important that other people with secondary breast cancer can meet up in a relaxed and informal space and get the support they may need at whatever stage of their journey they are at. I want to offer other people in similar situations to myself a friendly and very warm welcome, to come and have a cup of tea (or coffee) and a chat so they feel less alone.  We are all here to support each other and having people around who understand what you may be going through definitely helps; it did me!  And I am now looking forward to meeting more ladies from around my local area.”

Although it can be treated, Secondary Breast Cancer is incurable and currently affects around 61,000 people and claims 1,000 lives each month in the UK. Make 2nds Count is dedicated to raising awareness of this little-known form of the disease, also known as metastatic, advanced or stage IV breast cancer, which has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body.

Emma Hall, Head of Operations for Make 2nds Count comments:- “A diagnosis can take people to a very lonely place, but being able to meet with others who truly understand the situation can be hugely beneficial. Friendships forged in these circumstances are uniquely valuable and we know this initiative, simple though the premise is, can make a real difference.”

To find out more about Tea & A Chat, St Helens, and to register to attend, visit:- Make2ndsCount.Co.UK