What people say about us

"In difficult times, I have really appreciated being able to talk to someone outside my circle of friends and family about my illness, which lead to a change of habit and helped me see the wood for the trees. The support and counselling I have found extremely helpful and I am also grateful ELF for enabling this service to happen."

A Haematology Centre patient

"After 28 years living in Berkshire and Hampshire, my husband Barry and I returned to my home county of Devon for our retirement. It was February 1999; we had bought a house in Exminster and were enjoying buying new items for our home when during June I became seriously ill. I was rushed into the RD&E, had many tests and was diagnosed with High Grade Burkitts Lymphoma.

It was a terrible shock. I spent a month in different wards before having six months of intensive chemotherapy treatment in the Haematology Centre. I was put into the old Yarty Ward isolation rooms, which are very different from the fantastic new wing accommodation. It was at that time ELF came into my life, providing me with specialist services and also a television set. A lovely lady came regularly to massage my feet with beautiful smelling oils and different aromas each visit.

She was very kind and understanding, it was a pleasure to see her each time. Boy how I looked forward to her massages! After completing several months of intense treatment I was given access to an exercise bicycle to get my muscles working again, the support I received from ELF and the great nursing team was second to none.

It has been a privilege to publicly express my sincere thanks to all the staff of ELF for the wonderful support and kindness I received whilst an inpatient in Yarty Ward. I am certainly a very fortunate person to have benefitted from ELF’s supporting services."

Sheila Willerton - Patient 1999/2000

Please contact us to share your ELF Story; we love to hear directly from those we help, their friends, family and colleagues. Call 01392 493344 today or email us at enquire@elfcharity.org.uk.