A RETIRED couple from Barrow have told how a charity got them ‘through the other side’ after a cancer diagnosis turned their world upside down.

Janet and Alan Ladds were supported by CancerCare at its Trinity Church site after Mr Ladds was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

“People tell me I have been through the mill but the NHS and CancerCare helped get met through the other side,” said Mr Ladds.

Mrs Ladds added: “CancerCare has made a big difference to our lives.

“We have come through a lot together as a couple and whatever was going on, we always knew there was someone there who we could go to which was so important.”

As active members of the church the couple would chat regularly with development and engagement officer Rachel Minshull, who encouraged them to undergo therapy following a major operation in Mr Ladd’s treatment.

“It was a massive shock and within three weeks of being diagnosed Alan was being operated on at Furness General Hospital,” said Mrs Ladds.

“Afterwards Rachel was fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble and she helped us get the support we both really needed at that time.”

Mr Ladds was referred for counselling with professional therapist Adam Hussein.

“Adam is one of the best counsellors I have ever had,” said Mr Ladds.

“I felt we had a real connection and he was just so easy to get on with.

“He helped me with a lot of things without me even realising it at the time.”

At the same time Mrs Ladds began reflexology with therapist Liz McGrory.

“It made a massive difference to me – It helped me to chill out and I just felt that I could handle things better,” she said.

“It was fantastic to have an hour where I didn’t have to worry, thinking about everything that was going on.”

February should have marked the opening of CancerCare’s new centre on Duke Street but with Covid-19 postponing the grand opening Mr Ladds is looking forward to resuming his counselling when the centre does reopen.

“It’s a fantastic resource for Barrow,” he said.

“The range of things that they offer is amazing, I thought I would just get help during my treatment but it is right the way through from diagnosis, and I hope the new bigger centre will help them support even more local people.”