What is Bosom Pals?

Bosom Pals is a Breast Cancer Support Group based in Bedford.

The Group is run entirely by volunteers who have all been diagnosed with breast cancer.  Bosom Pals was established in 1994 by two nurses who were friends and who had both had treatment for breast cancer.  About 15 ladies attended the first meeting and so the group was borne,  the early members were delighted that at last they could speak to others who were going through or had gone through similar problems and fears.  They were able to exchange experiences and feelings and support each other, at about the same time that the Group was formed Bedford Hospital appointed a Breast Care Nurse, Gloria Shingler.

Gloria supported the group whole heartedly and in 1997 a second breast care nurse, Elizabeth Wiggins was appointed.  Both Gloria and Elizabeth have now retired but the Group continues to work closely with the current breast care nurses, Bridget Ashdown, Rachel Bryce and Alison Shields, the Group owes a lot of its success to the support given by the breast care nurses over the years.

The group grew from strength to strength and in 1996 a committee was formed to share the workload, in 2000 the Group was successful in achieving Registered Charity status and in 2005 we were delighted to announce the appointment of Gail Emms, the Bedford born Commonwealth Gold medallist Badminton player as Patron.

What does Bosom Pals Offer?

Since the formation of the group more than 100 ladies have benefited in some way through contact with the Group, on average 20 to 30 members attend our monthly meetings.  Some have attended regularly since those early days when the group was first formed, others are relatively new members, some just starting treatments or going through hair loss.  Some come and go, only attending meetings or getting in touch when they feel the need or are interested in a particular speaker/demonstrator.  This is probably one of the Group’s biggest strengths – being there when needed but not intruding into people’s lives when their need has been fulfilled.  Sadly we have some very young members, in their late 20s, some young mothers with young children and the age range extends to ladies in their 80s.  

In addition to patients themselves, the Group provides support for families and friends, offering practical information and a willingness just to listen to concerns and feelings and to share experiences.