Mother of leukaemia victim backs help group

A SUPPORT group for grieving parents has been set up with the help of a mother whose teenage daughter died from cancer.

Heart (Helping Everyone at the Right Time) is the brainchild of Helen Richmond, who lost her 15-year-old daughter Emma Smith after an eight-month battle with leukaemia.

Specialist nurse Jacqui Sullivan at Grimsby’s Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital contacted Ms Richmond after reading her story.

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She said: “The aim of the group is for parents and families who have gone through the trauma of losing a child to be able to meet other people who have been through a similar experience. No one knows the pain and grief of seeing a child die, unless they have been there themselves.

“We hope the group will provide a network of support where people can meet and chat, swap stories and provide emotional support and friendship. We will also be able to signpost people to further help they might need, such as counselling.”

Emma was diagnosed with acute lymphoid leukaemia last August. She underwent chemotherapy and six weeks later was in remission. However, she became ill again and was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia which meant she needed a bone marrow transplant. She had her transplant in January followed by radiotherapy and more chemotherapy. She died on March 11.

Ms Richmond said she wanted to set up the group so other people didn’t feel the isolation she felt: “When your child dies you are on your own. The frequent trips to the hospital stop, people stop ringing and everyone else gets on with their lives. You are stuck, unsure of what the next step will be. Life goes on but no one seems to understand how lost you feel.”

The group meets next Wednesday from 7.30pm to 9pm at the Grimsby Institute. For more information e-mail Helen at [email protected] or contact Jacqui Sullivan on (01472) 874111 ext 7559.

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