Our team
West Pennine Myeloma Support Group is run by a team of volunteers. Our committee members are detailed below.
Christine Hacking
Chair
Christine lives with her husband Chris in Littleborough. They moved to a bungalow in 2019 after living in Royton for 49 years - a huge change which they are still getting used to! Christine is a 'carer' for Chris who was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2017. Originally he was diagnosed with 'carpel tunnel' syndrome then it all emerged that he had Myeloma. He was admitted to Salford Royal Hospital where he had two serious operations. Apparently Chris could have been paralysed at any time and we had no idea!!
Christine has three daughters and seven grandchildren - ages ranging from 9 years to 22 years of age.
Over the past few years our lives have changed dramatically so it is difficult to fit in any hobbies as such but Christine loves being with the family at every opportunity, listening to Classic FM, meeting up with friends coffee and cake, gardening and of course reading (this helps enormously when waiting in clinics etc.!) She has also managed to keep up with her charity volunteer work with the Red Cross where she has been helping out at their Royton shop for 18 years.
Christine's faith defines her as a person and goes hand in hand in her life - guiding, encouraging and supporting not only her husband but others.
The Support Group has a special place in her life - it's a place to meet up with like-minded people where we don't have to explain or clarify 'Myeloma'.
Christine Mcleod
Treasurer
Christine was diagnosed with Myeloma in October 2017 but only after routine cholesterol and sugar blood tests showed certain red flags to a locum doctor. Chemotherapy etc. swiftly followed and she had a stem cell transplant in February 2018. She is currently in remission.
Christine was born in Dorset, grew up in Hampshire but spent much of her adult life in Bath where she met her husband Richard.
They have two daughters and five grandchildren whom they adore. They moved to Springhead in Oldham to be near their older daughter after many years living in Southern Spain.
She worked for Citizens Advice before retiring and still has a keen interest in financial and social matters. She is also treasurer to her local church ladies group and her main interests are her garden and her family.
Christine and Richard joined the support group about 7 years ago and have found the group informative, friendly and encouraging.
Other Committee Members are
Karen Lees Minute Secretary
Martyn Warburton, Speaker Organiser, Contributor to newsletter, and Grants Applications
Linda and Barry Bowker, Welcome Pack, Newsletter production and distrubution and members of Myeloma Patient Partnership Programme.
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