Facing the future (From Penarth Times)

Facing the future

PENARTH-BASED charity Faceup is close to securing a new care centre in Cardiff.

The charity is finalising an agreement on a new premises in Llanishen which it hopes will open next January.

Faceup - the oral and facial cancer foundation Cymru - will use the centre as a halfway house where discharged patients will be offered aftercare, treatment, counselling and social activities aimed at boosting confidence.

Faceup director Bob Skinner said: "The centre will help patients leaving hospital after surgery to prepare for their return to their own community, and will provide ongoing care and assistance.

"The day centre is the first step. In the future we hope to offer a wider range of services including an element of residential care.

"The effects of surgery, in particular facial disfigurement and loss of speech, can have devastating and traumatic effects on patients.

"Many suffer loss of identity, self-esteem, self-confidence and feelings of hurt, humiliation, isolation and depression.

"In turn the suffering puts great strain on their relationships with partners and other family members."

Jill Lewarne, also a Faceup director, had major surgery to rebuild her face after a small hard spot on the roof of her mouth was diagnosed as cancerous.

Bone was taken from Jill"s left arm to rebuild her face.

She then had to endure six weeks of painful, post-operation radiation treatment.

Now fully recovered, Jill is helping others to overcome the trauma of oral and facial cancer.

Jill puts her recovery down to determination.

She said: "That"s why I tell everyone who is going through a trauma like mine to make sure that the efforts of the marvellous team at the University Hospital of Wales Cardiff are not wasted. Some patients are not so lucky to have a family to help them, and that is why the Faceup centre will be so valuable."

* Wales has around 200 cases of oral and facial cancer each year. For more information on Faceup call 029 20193518 or visit www.faceupcymru.org.uk