Cancer Support France

We were saddened to learn earlier this week of the loss of Andy Shepherd, the husband of our late Founder, Linda, who died in March.  Andy had been in poor health, not helped by the burden of losing Linda but this news came unexpectedly, bringing a double sadness to CSF in 2017.  Despite retiring as Treasurer in 2014, Andy continued to give support to us all at CSF (National).  His wisdom, quiet humour and positive advice was always welcome.

Margaret York, the editor of Touchlines and former President of Dordogne Est & Lot, says  “I met Andy and Linda at the CSF (National) AGM on March 18th 2010, just after I had become local President. Andy was ‘on the door’ and welcomed me to my first AGM, explaining what I needed to do with papers etc. He was tall, but in no way an overbearing man; he was gentle, quite quiet, very knowledgeable about all things CSF and a stickler for what was right and what was not, in accordance with our Statutes.  Over the years, I found him to be even more knowledgeable about ‘stuff’ outside of CSF and his sense of humour was very dry and very, very funny.

When I approached him about taking on the Editorship of Touchlines (Note: Margaret was the editor for some years, then had a break), he could not have been more helpful and, to this day, I still have the notes I took about how to ‘do it’ and I have referred back to them as I take on the role again. I could say that his introduction to desktop publishing has brought me to where I am today and has been of great benefit.  I felt comfortable being on the National Conseil with Andy there; he always brought a sense of order to proceedings and was the voice of reason.

Andy was a very kind man. He will be missed.”

* Picture was taken at the National AGM 2011. Back Row Gary and Diana Healey (Vendee), Richard Mozley (Riberac), Tony Benstead (Dordogne Sud), Margaret York (Dordogne Est & Lot), Ivan Holliday (Deux-Sevres). Front Row Jane Thomas (National Secretary), Linda Shepherd (National President), Andy Shepherd (National Treasurer).

November 2017

CSF held its second very successful Train the Trainer Day in November at the Toulouse Oncopole.  The following day saw the Trainers’ Conference and finally, on day three, there was a National Committee meeting.  The facilities offered to us by the Oncopole are excellent; there is on-site hotel accommodation and a restaurant which did a special ‘formule‘ for us each evening.  A relaxed dinner was a perfect way to get to know each other.

Now we are in year two and can see the obvious benefits of these three days, we are planning them as annual events.   As President, I was invited to attend all three days and cannot emphasise enough, the benefits gained by these opportunities to share, together. France is a big country and the challenges faced by each Association are different. This gives a chance to appreciate the problems of others and also, to benefit from their support, as we all work towards the same aim of supporting those touched by cancer.

November 2017

Video – The video for the CSF Cycle for Life to be held from June 22nd to June 25th 2017 is now available and can be viewed here. The video has been created by Annette Morris, the creator of the website: – www.csfcycleforlife.org 

Advert – Here is the advert for the CSF Cycle for Life bike ride as printed in the Cycling World magazine March 2017.

The magazine can be viewed on-line by clicking here . The advert is on Page 151.

Our 3rd Cycle for Life – This third CSF Cycle for Life, primarily organised to raise awareness, was held in memory of Linda Shepherd, the CSF founder who sadly died in March, aged 64.

This year the route ran from Carcassonne to Sète along the canals and coastal paths of Languedoc.  During the four-day 200kms ride, a total of 42 riders took part, sharing much fun and laughter.  Although the Ride is not a race, it is a challenge for the cyclists, many of whom join for their own cancer-related reason.  The riders included four Americans on holiday in France.  The sense of achievement and camaraderie on the final day, first at the lunchtime picnic stop in Agde and then at the Welcome at the Musée de la Mer (offered to us by the Mairie of Sète), was palpable.  Having been at the start in Carcassonne and the finish in Sète as well as at various spots on the way, this was a particularly moving moment for me.

The Cycle for Life is the only event which raises funds for CSF (National), the umbrella body which provides support to the 15 CSF affiliated Associations.  In particular, the National Association organises the training programme for our Active Listeners – the trained volunteers who provide direct client support.  Between them, the cyclists raised over €5,000, an amazing amount ,which will go towards funding our annual Training Conference in November.  It will also help full training support to be given to the newer Associations, such as Paris Île-de-France, who cannot yet fund a trainer.

In addition to the 42, one man rode his own Cycle for Life.  He had intended to cycle 400kms from his home in the Haute-Pyrénées to join the final day but the heat made him rethink and instead, each day, he cycled a 100kms circuit from his home, raising over €500 in the process!

There are many stories that could be told but maybe the lasting memory is the number of cyclists who want to do it again next year!!

Finally, my thanks must go, first, to Annette from La Franglaise who put in a huge amount of time and effort into organising the event and secondly, to the volunteers, mainly from CSF Languedoc and CSF Sud de France, without whose support, the event could not have been run.  I would also like to extend my thanks to the very generous sponsors – Vie et Velo; Mellow Velos; Freewheeling France and Renestance who, with the music of Outback, put on a lovely welcome at Sète.

For all the pictures from this amazing event, go to the Gallery. Also see the newpaper article in I’independant in the Media section

Penny Parkinson, President, CSF (National) – 27th June 2017

National President, Penny Parkinson, joined the ‘Girls Do Coffee’ show on Expat Radio on 8th June. She spoke about Cancer Support France in genera;l including who we are, how we came to be, the loss of our founder Linda Shepherd, and how we provide support both at a local and at a national level.

Penny also let the listeners know about upcoming fundraising events such as the CSF Cycle For Life event (22nd-25th June), and Activity for Life (September), and spoke about former Cycle for Life events, this year’s route, along with other activities held across the CSF Associations throughout the year.

‘Girls Do Coffee’ is hosted by Deborah Alexandra and lasts from 11am until 1pm.

Penny Parkinson – June 2017 

Cancer Support founder dies

Linda Shepherd was ‘an inspiration to us all’ and her work has helped thousands.

Cancer Support France founder, Linda Shepherd, has died at the age of 64 following her own battle with cancer.

You can see the full article in the Connexion website: – https://www.connexionfrance.com/news/cancer-support-group-founder-dies/459328

March 2017