Life threatening illness

If you are caring for someone with a serious illness, this may be the most difficult task you have ever undertaken.

Your new role will bring you into situations you haven’t met before, and some of the issues may be:

• understanding the illness
• dealing with professionals
• dealing with symptoms and treatment
• caring and paid employment
• looking after yourself
• what to do if the illness becomes more advanced

Local support

• Maggie’s Centre: Supporting people with cancer, their families and friends: 01865 225690
• Oxfordshire carers' centres
• Oxfordshire Carers' Forum
• Oxfordshire County Council:  0845 050 7666
• Oxfordshire Befriending Network: Volunteers supporting people with life threatening illnesses: 01865 791781
• www.oxfordcancerinfo.org.uk: Local gateway to good quality practical information on coping with cancer.

National organisations

• Cancer BACUP  :A national organisation helping people live with cancer.  The website includes advice for carers Freephone 0808 800 1234
• The Haemophilia Society 0800 018 6068
• Macmillan Cancerline 0808 808 2020
• Motor Neurone Disease Association  08457 626262
• Multiple Sclerosis Society 0808 800 8000
• Parkinsons’ Disease Society  0808 800 0303
• www.Timetocare.org.uk
• Terence Higgins Trust: information, support and advice on HIV  0845 12 21 200