A befriending scheme has been set up at York Hospital to support people living with blood cancer. Its organiser, leukaemia survivor Carol Miller, speaks to health reporter Kate Liptrot.

CAROL Miller has beaten cancer twice.

She was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia at the age of 54, when it was flagged up in a routine blood test at York Hospital.

Having had the test in the morning, she had been admitted as a patient by the afternoon.

"I asked them to quantify how serious it was and I was given eight weeks to live if I didn't have treatment," Carol said, "I wanted the odds and they said I had an 80 per cent chance of going into remission."

Carol, a retired NHS secretary from Acomb, started the first of two courses of chemotherapy within a week, spending the last three months of 2004 in hospital undergoing the gruelling treatment in isolation as her immune system was so compromised.

It was a difficult experience but she responded well to treatment and by Christmas Eve she was in remission and allowed to return home with her husband Michael.

It was when the cancer was found to have come back and doctors talked about a mini bone marrow transplant, Carol felt she wanted to meet someone who had gone through the experience.

"I wanted to speak to someone about transplantation but because of the confidentiality they couldn't put me in touch with anyone," she said, "I was surprised to find there were no leukaemia support groups."

Now 65, and in remission for the second time Carol has taken matters into her own hands and has set up a successful peer support group for blood cancer patients.

York Haematology Support Group, is a patient led support group for patients, families, carers and friends dealing with blood cancers which meets in the city once a month.

Some of those to attend the group have been trained by Macmillan to take part in a "buddy scheme" to befriend patients who are going through the treatment process - to offer support and share experiences.

"For a person on the journey of blood cancer, it means they can talk to someone who has been there and done it," Carol said, "You can't beat experience. They have been there, done it and come out the other side.

"With the best will in the world and absolutely marvellous as they are, the medical staff have not been through it and don't know how you're actually feeling."

Currently, newly diagnosed people are now told about the befriending service at the point of diagnosis at York Hospital, but it is thought they may not be reaching as many people as possible as the amount of information provided at that stage can be overwhelming.

"We would welcome anyone to get in touch," Carol said, "Wherever they are - whether it's diagnosis, starting treatment, in hospital, completed treatment or have been told to watch and wait - we can be there for them."

- The York Haematology Support Group meets the first Thursday of every month at HuntIngton Working Men's Club at 7pm.

To inquire about the befriending scheme or to take part, call Carol on 01904 330705