Cancer Help and Support

This week's show was about cancer help and support. A cancer diagnosis is a devastating thing. And it can be even more devastating if you are living abroad when you are diagnosed, unfamiliar with the local health system, and unable to speak the language. Keep in mind that the show was not about medical advice, nor were we able to offer exhaustive information about cancer help and support. We just touched on a few aspects to get you started.

Kevin Richmond is The English Show’s Arts Correspondent, bringing you news about dance and theatre in Basel. He was recently diagnosed with cancer. He talked openly about his ongoing treatment, possible alternative therapies and how to get support. Neither Kevin nor The English Show are medical experts, so the things we talked about in the interview come from personal experience and research. If you have any questions about treatment and support, contact your doctor and the Krebsliga beider Basel. Listen to the interview again here.

Our food expert Sue Style told us about the English-speaking Cancer Support Basel, a group that gets together once a quarter for lunch followed by a meeting where everyone can share experiences and support one another. In addition to these meetings, the group offers practical help and support, in person, by phone, e-mail or Skype, to anyone directly or indirectly affected by cancer. They can visit in hospital or at home, or take people to medical appointments, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The group can also help with translation to and from German and French. If you would like further information on the group, please drop them an e-mail at cancersupportbasel@gmail.com. Listen to Sue's interview again here.

The Krebsliga beider Basel, or Cancer League Basel, is an NGO that offers advice and support to people diagnosed with cancer, as well as their families. The Krebsliga beider Basel has recently moved into a new centre at the Petersplatz near the University Hospital. It's a very impressive house, beautifully appointed, with an open door policy - just walk in and the staff there will be happy to help. The services are all free. The centre relies on donations, so if you'd like to help, you'll find the details on the website. It's important to note that the centre is an addition to medical services, not a replacement for conventional cancer therapy. The Krebsliga hotline is 0800 11 88 11 or you can write to helpline@krebsliga.ch. Listen to the interview with CEO Michelle Leuenberger-Morf again here.

We also had ballet master Cristiana Sciabordi from the Theater Basel on the show to tell us about the Ballet Gala for the Krebsliga on May 5th. All the proceeds from the gala go to the Krebsliga. There are just a handful of tickets left, so if you'd like to see an amazing ballet performance and at the same time support the Krebsliga, then go to the Theater Basel website as soon as possible to get your tickets. Cristiana Sciabordi revealed to us what she and ballet director Richard Wherlock are planning for the performance. Listen to the interview again here.

Our show today was serious, but our songs will put a smile on your face. The songs were personally selected by Kevin Richmond. We played:

Michael Bublé - Feeling Good

Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy

Queen - Don't Stop Me Now

Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now

Elton John - I'm Still Standing

James Taylor - You've Got A Friend

The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun

Muse - Feeling Good

Chris Rea - Let's Dance

Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive

Monty Python - Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life