Join your local (online) Patient Support Group!

A vital part of what we do here at MDS UK is facilitate a network of Local Patient Support Groups. These groups are invaluable  as they give people the chance to offer much needed mutual support and to share information.

Before Covid, with the invaluable help of our Local Patient Ambassadors who coordinate the groups, patients were able to meet face-to-face for 2-3 hours.

(To find out more about what our Patient Ambassadors do click here https://mdspatientsupport.org.uk/fund-raising-2/become-an-mds-ambassador/)

Essex MDS Patient Support Group - (face-to-face pre Covid)

Essex MDS Patient Support Group - (face-to-face pre Covid)

Since Covid, we've taken the meetings online via Zoom

These online Zoom meetings have provided some unexpected and welcome opportunities as we've been able to open up the groups to all members Nationwide. This has meant that many many more people are able to attend.

So in some ways it has given us the best of both worlds. Local groups still keep their regional focus, making and strengthening local connections - while at the same time people are able to meet a wider range of other patients who may have similar MDS features to them. This has proved to be extremely valuable to patients.

In addition, the online meetings have made it easier for our specialist speakers to attend - which again is a much needed and hugely valuable resource for everyone.

People say they find MDS UK Patient Support Groups informative, welcoming, helpful and supportive.

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"The group meeting was excellent. Everyone was very friendly and the information provided was very useful."

‘I’m really glad I have connected with MDS support groups and am so thankful for all you do.”

 

 

 

 

 

"I would like to say MDS Patient Support Group has been AWESOME"

 

 

 

 

 

 

"To know that there is a support network to help my mum gives me great strength"

 

 

 

"I have been to only 2 patient meetings so far and found them both very helpful."

 

 

 

"Very helpful talking to other patients in a relaxed, non clinical atmosphere"

 

Below you'll find contact details and updates of all our Local and Regional groups in the UK.

 

Yorkshire MDS Patients’ Support Group

Yorkshire MDS Patients’ Support Group

Come and join our group in the Yorkshire region! Patient Brian Poulter and his wife Jenny started this group in Yorkshire in 2020. All local patients are welcome to attend, as are relatives and friends. This is an opportunity to get to know one another, share experiences and increase the support network in our area.

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Midlands MDS Patients’ Support Group

Midlands MDS Patients’ Support Group

Come and join our group in the Midlands region! A few words from Sophia, Midlands Group Local Patient Support Ambassador: “I started to learn more about MDS following my Grandad’s diagnosis back in 2017. Looking back on this period I recall the uncertainty and isolation that followed the knowledge that this was a ‘rare’ cancer. […]

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Essex MDS Patients’ Group

Essex MDS Patients’ Group

Patient Chris Dugmore started this group in Chelmsford. Meetings take place every 3-4 months, and it includes informal talks by local physicians or nurses. They offer a great opportunity for patient-to-patient exchange and support.

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Oxford and Thames Valley Local MDS Group

Oxford and Thames Valley Local MDS Group

This group meets every 3 months on Friday mornings between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm. Led by MDS patient, Claudia Richards. Contact: For more information and dates of meetings, please email oxfordgroup@mdspatientsupport.org.uk

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