The Widows Group first met on March 17^th 2003 and was formed by ladies who had lost their husbands to Prostate Cancer.

I ( Barbara Pugh ) lost my husband in October 2000, and a few months later was invited to join the Prostate Group committee.. Some while later I was chosen to undertake the Macmillan Cancer Support Certificate which I successfully completed. One of the modules related to Loss and Bereavement and it was, at this juncture, suggested that I should become involved in forming a Widows Group.

Our first meeting, which took place at Kidderminster General Hospital, consisted of four widows, Mary Symons the Specialist Urology Nurse, and me.

The group has grown since its formation, and currently (January 2009) consists of twenty-one active members.  At our meetings we have looked at a number of issues that have been important to group members, e.g. loss of a loved one, anger, catering for one, but the primary object of the group is that of providing mutual support and help to each other. A list of members details have, with their permission, been distributed within the group thus giving each other a point of contact.

In April 2008 we held our fifth anniversary lunch and now have our own patron, Katie Johnson, former local Radio Presenter.

The Group meets every month for coffee and a chat and to plan other activities.  Lunching out is very popular and we also have skittles mornings followed by a fish and chip lunch. We have recently appointed a secretary which has helped the Group to be organized more efficiently as numbers have grown.

The Ladies play an important role in the running of the PSA testing sessions held at the quarterly meetings and also have been able to provide support at other testing sessions in the area.

The Group is very lucky to have the support of the President of the Prostate Cancer Support Group, Mr. D. Baxter-Smith, Consultant Urologist and his wife, as well as the Chairman of the group, Revd Paul Brothwell.

There is only one other similar group in the country that I am aware of, so we are almost unique in our existence. I have been approached by representatives from other Prostate Cancer Support Groups who are considering setting up their own Ladies Groups. 

Barbara Pugh

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