A former CancerCare client will be saying “thank you” to us for helping her family cope with the death of her partner by taking on an iconic long distance Lakeland walk.
CancerCare supported Katrina Lawson Evans and her children Daniel (age 12) and Eva (age 7) with counselling and specialist play therapy when her partner, and the children’s father Darryll sadly passed away following a stomach cancer diagnosis in 2021.
Darryll’s loss left the family devastated and unsure of where to turn so Katrina got in touch with CancerCare’s Barrow Centre after hearing about our range of free therapy services for people affected by bereavement and cancer, from a friend.
Eva was referred for art therapy, which involves a specially trained counsellor using art materials and play to gain an insight into a child’s state of mind, while Daniel was offered more traditional talking therapy.
Katrina said the therapy they received had hugely positive effect on the children’s well-being.
“Eva did lots of arts and crafts which made a massive difference to her. After 14 sessions Eva was in a such good place that she was finally happy enough to say goodbye to her dad. She also brought her artwork home of which we can keep forever.
“Daniel’s sessions mainly involved talking and he worked through a special book each week. He made some wonderful pieces of art including a sand glass, using colours that reminded him of his dad,” said Katrina.
Katrina also benefitted from special parental support sessions which she said helped equip her with the techniques needed to support the children herself, in the future..
CancerCare has been in Barrow since 2017 and in September 2020 we opened a new, purpose renovated therapy centre on Duke Street complete with purpose-designed therapy rooms, meeting areas and a specially equipped children’s play therapy room. Since then, demand for our services has risen with therapists helping 417 people from Furness and delivering nearly 3,600 sessions of therapy. This includes 81 children who received special art and play therapy.
Over the last 12 months we have also launched a special peer support group for young people aged 11-17 who take part in a range of organised activities and trips facilitated by youth workers and Daniel is now a member.
Katrina will be aiming to raise money for CancerCare by taking on the Coniston to Barrow Walk, alongside Daniel in May next year.
“CancerCare relies on public donations to keep going without which it would simply not be there to support families like mine. I am excited to be doing it with Daniel, not only to raise money but also to help spread the word about what an amazing job it does to people who may also be in desperate need of the help it provides, said Katrina.
Last year more than 60 people took part in the K2B/C2B for CancerCare which raised around £11,000 for the charity. To take part the 2023 event, register on the K2B website www.keswick2barrow.co.uk/user/register and email your ID number to fundraising@cancercare.org.uk