Macmillan Cancer Support is returning to the Royal Welsh Show to offer cancer information and support to showground visitors.
Bertie, Macmillan’s big green bus, will be parked at Avenue B103, at the showground in Llanelwedd, from Monday, July 18 to Thursday, July 21.
Packed with information to help people affected by cancer, Bertie is also staffed by Macmillan health professionals who give face-to-face information and advice to people with questions about cancer. Last year more than 3,000 show-goers took the opportunity to visit the information bus.
In Wales, skin cancer is the fifth most common cancer and this year Macmillan will be focusing on sun awareness – which is particularly relevant to people living and working in rural Wales.
Macmillan will be giving people the opportunity to find their skin type using a ‘Skindex’ – which is a handy guide to skin type.
Skindex is the initiative of the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), who have partnered Macmillan’s Mobile Information and Support Service to reach communities across the UK in need of cancer information, including how to best protect their skin. Macmillan will also be handing out sunscreen to visitors to the bus.
Macmillan offers free, confidential, information and support to anyone with concerns and questions about cancer. If visitors to the show have any worries or questions about cancer, whether it’s for themselves, a relative or a friend, they should come to the bus. There’s no need to book an appointment.
Michelle Smith, team leader for Macmillan’s mobile information and support service in Wales, said: “We always look forward to attending the Royal Welsh Show. We’re there to answer questions on a wide range of topics such as signs and symptoms, side effects of cancer treatments, diet and cancer, financial support and end of life care and bereavement.
“Our information and support specialists will be onboard the unit throughout each day at the show so do come along and help us to ensure that no one faces cancer alone.”
Anyone unable to visit the unit when it comes to the show can call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00 or got to www.macmillan.org.uk