Powys farmer opens Lingen Davies cancer charity base

Sarah Lewis, from Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, urged mid Walians of all ages to be more vigilant and observe the early signs of cancer as she after being given the honour of cutting the ribbon of the newly opened office at Plas Dolerw in Newtown.

It has been made possible thanks to a £367,000 legacy from a Powys resident which will be used to support the charity's work to raise awareness and encourage early diagnosis in mid Wales.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the people of mid Wales in the fact that it’s going to raise awareness of all cancers that people can suffer from," she said.

"Cancer knows no age boundaries, so we need to be more vigilant and observe the early signs of cancer."

• Want to make sure all the latest farming news from Wales is delivered straight to your door? Subscribe to the print edition of Wales Farmer on 0800 052 0198.

Sarah's cancer journey began in January 2022 after she found a lump in the previous December thinking she'd pulled a muscle while working with the sheep on the farm.

"The fear of hearing you have cancer was huge but I’m always that kind of person who prepares for the worst and hopes for the best,” Sarah said.

Lingen Davies' chair of trustees Mark Harris, cancer patient Sarah Lewis and High Sheriff of Powys Reg Cawthorne at the ribbon cutting ceremony at Plas Dolerw in Newtown. (Image: Anwen Parry/Powys County Times)

"It was so much to take in. The reality that the cancer I had was not going to be whipped out and life would get back to normal in a jiffy was devastating. I was not only devastated for me but also for my husband, children, parents, and sisters.

“However, the one thing I noticed and even felt as I entered the Lingen Davies Centre at Shrewsbury Hospital was the welcome and friendliness of the staff.

"The waiting area did not feel like a hospital, and it was OK to have cancer and even say the word cancer and I felt reassured that I was going to be looked after. The staff were so busy but still had time to sit and talk with emotional and physical support; they are so efficient.

“The value of the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund and Centre is and continues to be unbelievable on so many fronts. I have just completed five sessions of radiotherapy and read how the three machines in Shrewsbury were funded by the Lingen Davies charity.

"The Shrewsbury fund and staff have always offered me a family, such a welcome where no question is a stupid question. Where all concerns can be supported, and you will be pointed in the right direction."

She added: “The fact that this hub is now going to be in mid Wales will extend that arm of support and opportunities on our doorstep to the heart of the community who have given tremendously to the fundraising efforts of the charity of Lingen Davies.

“The immense value of the Lingen Davies Centre and the Charity has been highlighted to me recently when a friend from outside the area who has also been diagnosed with breast cancer.

"I was telling her about the amazing support I have had from the Lingen Davies so I began researching for something comparable in her area but unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be and she is someone who would really benefit from the emotional support that has been offered to myself.

“I am in the final stages of my cancer journey and when I hear of others who have had the dreaded news, young or old, just proves that cancer knows no boundaries. I have been contacting those people and pointing them in the direction of this wonderful facility saying that we are not alone, and we are all in this together.

"We are fortunate to have the Lingen Davies services and access to support in this hub in the heart of mid Wales. 

"The work of the cancer champion will now be rolled out in Powys shows how invaluable this will be in getting the message out to the wider community to raise the awareness of what early signs of symptoms of cancer are and highlight and encourage the benefits of early diagnosis and working towards cancer prevention across out area."