Thanks to those who have really made a difference

Each year the chairman chooses a charity. Councillor Caroline Maudlin has selected Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

She has decided to turn the usual annual gathering into the You Make the Difference Awards, highlighting those people who have made life better for cancer patients.

Ms Maudlin was treated for breast cancer between July 2011 and March 2012 and in this time she discovered how many caring people are making sufferers’ lives better.

She discovered a lump while camping with her godchildren and although the doctor initially thought it was a cyst tests revealed that she had breast cancer.

She had an operation the following week.

Ms Maudlin was struck by the level of support, both from other people with the disease offering advice and medical staff. She said: “It’s so important for people who aren’t lucky enough to have such a strong family network to support them.

“I met wonderful people at the Primrose Unit and around the area; so many people including the nurse who checked I was alright when I’d been given the devastating news.

“The nurses and staff were all so positive and lovely the whole way.

“My hair falling out was the most traumatic thing for me but Maxwells in Biggleswade have the most amazing wig service. They were just the loveliest and it was quite a laugh although it was serious.”

Her awards are to highlight the work of all these wonderful people. The four categories are health care professional, volunteer fundraiser, breast cancer campaigner and carer in the community.

The person can have helped you or a friend or relative with any kind of cancer. They can be professionals or friends who act as carers.

The awards have been sponsored by Biffa, Stevenage Leisure, Virgin, where Ms Maudlin works as cabin crew, Penna, Parish Farms and Tesco. Oncologist Dr Mei-Lin Ah-See from Luton and Dunstable Hospital is also highlighting the awards.

To nominate someone visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/chairman or pick up a form from the library by the end of September.