The podcast that keeps you up to date - through news, features and interviews - with the inspirational work of Friends of ANCHOR, a charity that supports cancer and haematology care in the North-east of Scotland.
In this final episode of the podcast, Mike signs off by answering rather than asking the questions during the interview slot, Alison and he round off the ‘Finding the Words’ series, and a peek behind the scenes of the podcast is provided by a selection of outtakes.
The following points are among those covered in this episode:
Please email us via foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk if you would like to contact us in connection with this podcast. We would love to hear from you.
This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.
In this episode, we hear from Friends of ANCHOR Ward Assistants, Lynn Ingram and Heather Allan, about the practical support that they provide for patients, and we also find out about the news that had Erica buzzing this week!
The following points are among those covered in this episode:
Suggestions or feedback about the podcast can be sent to foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk, and you can sign up to receive news and updates by clicking on this link.
This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.
‘Courage on the Catwalk’ is the theme of this episode, with contributions from Sarah-Jane Hogg, Judy Alexander and Gail Rose.
The following points are among those covered in this episode:
Suggestions or feedback about the podcast can be sent to foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk, and you can sign up to receive news and updates by clicking on this link.
This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.
Vicki Youngson talks about her role as Head of Wellbeing at Friends of ANCHOR, and we find out about charitable support that came from the North Sea as well as discovering the story behind ‘The One with the Ducks’!
The following points are among those covered in this episode:
"Fools" said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows”
‘The Sound of Silence’ Paul Simon
He then describes and comments on Rochelle L. Colón’s use of ‘fire’ as an extended metaphor in her poem, ‘Scorch’.
Listeners are invited to share similar creative responses that have inspired them by sending relevant details to foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk. Other suggestions, feedback or questions can also be sent to that address, and you can sign up to receive news and updates by clicking on this link.
This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.
Consultant Haematologist, Dr Al Lawrie, talks about research and how Friends of ANCHOR makes a difference. In addition, we find out who put Meikle Wartle on the charity’s fundraising map and why ‘Unsteady’ features on Mike’s cancer playlist!
With apologies for the delay, detailed show notes will appear here shortly.
Suggestions or feedback about the podcast can be sent to foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk, and you can sign up to receive news and updates by clicking on this link.
This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.
Rachel Hall talks about her Clinical Nurse Specialist role, Mike and Alison find words to discuss Mike’s Stem Cell Transplant treatment, and J Robert Oppenheimer makes a surprise appearance!
The following points are among those covered in this episode:
Suggestions or feedback about the podcast can be sent to foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk, and you can sign up to receive news and updates by clicking on this link.
This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.
Yvonne Wright talks about her role as Chief Nurse for Aberdeen Royal Infirmary's clinical support team, ‘Silence’ is the theme of this month’s ‘Finding the Words’ feature and Mike explains why Sir Percivall Pott should be better known.
The following points are among those covered in this episode:
Suggestions or feedback about the podcast can be sent to foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk, and you can sign up to receive news and updates by clicking on this link.
This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.
Dr Dominic Culligan, Consultant Haematologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, talks about advances in the treatment of blood-related cancers. Mention is also made of leeches making a comeback for medical treatment purposes!
The following points are among those covered in this episode:
Suggestions or feedback about the podcast can be sent to foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk, and you can sign up to receive news and updates by clicking on this link.
This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.
Matt Huntington speaks about his 25 + 25 + 250 challenge, Mike reflects on the fact that hospitals can have a language all of their own and shares his experiences of ‘cancer treats’. An inaugural quiz based on a news item from the Friends of ANCHOR archives is also featured!
The following points are among those covered in this episode:
Suggestions or feedback about the podcast can be sent to foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk, and you can sign up to receive news and updates by clicking on this link.
This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.
Mike interviews Gail Roberts, one of the original Courage on the Catwalk participants, as well as looking at some cancer slogans in advance of World Cancer Day on February 4th.
The following points are among those covered in this episode:
Suggestions or feedback about the podcast can be sent to foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk, and you can sign up to receive news and updates by clicking on this link.
This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.
John Greensmyth talks about the fashion show ‘Brave’, dealing with cancer treatment side-effects and 'Men and Cancer'; some podcast outtakes are also included.
The following points are among those covered in this episode:
Suggestions or feedback about the podcast can be sent to foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk, and you can sign up to receive news and updates by clicking on this link.
This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.
Mike interviews Matt Huntington about his fundraising endeavours, recalls the efforts of the Flying Anchors and suggests some World Record options for anyone up for a challenge!
The following points are among those covered in this episode:
This show has been brought to you by Free Range Podcasting.
We would love to keep in touch with you, so please click on this link to sign up to receive news and updates about the Friends of ANCHOR podcast.
Mike interviews Louise Budge about the new ANCHOR Centre, reflects with his wife, Alison, on telling their children about his cancer diagnosis and shares some thoughts about the 1998 film ‘Stepmom’. The following points are among those covered in this episode: Erica Banks, Communications Lead for Friends of ANCHOR, provides an update on news and events, beginning by talking about the recent https://www.friendsofanchor.org/index.php/news/event-will-show-how-money-has-been-spent (‘Supporter Thank You’ event). Erica then goes on to highlight a number of current Wellbeing initiatives, including a Patient Retreat Day on 14 January 2023 (email wellbeing@friendsofanchor.org to register), a new Listening Service and a Radiotherapy Treatment Patient Pack. Erica concludes by highlighting the fact that the https://www.friendsofanchor.org/index.php/merchandise (online Friends of ANCHOR Christmas Shop) can meet all of your Christmas shopping needs! [00:39] Mike interviews Louise Budge, the Service and Commissioning Project Manager for the Baird and ANCHOR Project. As well as explaining her liaison role on the ANCHOR Centre Project, Louise talks about the contribution being made by Friends of ANCHOR and outlines some key dates in the build-up to the opening of the new facility in September 2023. Louise also mentions that short ‘One Year to Go’ videos by staff on what the new centre means to them can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/bairdANCHOR (https://www.facebook.com/bairdANCHOR) [05:59] This month’s ‘From the Archives’ segment features the 1999 fundraising efforts of British Regional Airlines staff who undertook a challenge to visit every airport in Britain using any type of transport… apart from aircraft! The methods of transport employed included a skateboard, penny farthings, a fire engine, camels, a Viking ship and a hospital trolley propelled by Dr Andrew Hutcheon! [22:16] In the ‘Finding the Words’ section of this episode, Mike and Alison reflect on sharing Mike’s cancer diagnosis with their children. [24:13] The ‘And Finally!’ item comprises seven facts and observations about the 1998 film, ‘Stepmom’, starring Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts. [30.23] Suggestions or feedback about the podcast can be sent to foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk, and Mike’s guest in the next episode will be an inspirational fundraiser: marathon man, Matt Huntington. [32:34]
This show has been brought to you by https://www.freerangepodcasting.co.uk/ (Free Range Podcasting).
Mike Elder interviews John Greensmyth, a ‘cancer veteran’, reflects with his wife, Alison, on the brain freeze that can happen during consultations with medical staff and explores the amazing contribution made to the development of MRI scanners by an Aberdeen University research team. Among the points of interest covered in this episode are the following: Erica Banks, Communications Lead for Friends of ANCHOR, provides an update on news and events, beginning by talking about the https://www.friendsofanchor.org/index.php/news/event-will-show-how-money-has-been-spent (‘Supporter Thank You’) event on Friday 7 October. In addition, Erica draws attention to various fundraising events that are happening during October, including the https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/events/dance-proms-2022 (Aberdeen Dance Proms) that are taking place on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 October. [00:59] Mike interviews John Greensmyth, who recently took part in Brave, a fashion show featuring men from the local area who have had to deal with a cancer or haematology diagnosis. John talks about living with cancer for over thirty years and how that ‘roller coaster’ ride has affected him and his family. He also describes some ways in which the Brave models supported each other and concludes by highlighting the importance of research and of treating each patient, first and foremost, as a person. (NB An extended version of John’s interview will be released as a bonus episode in due course.)[05:25] In this month’s foray into the Friends of ANCHOR archives, Mike shares some news stories about various fundraising activities that took place in 1997. Among the items mentioned is a barbecue, dance and raffle which put Tullynessle on the map and the initiative taken by 91 year old Effie Watson, whose ‘goal’ was to ‘kick off’ an auction for the charity by donating a football, signed by the Aberdeen FC squad, which she had won in a raffle. [20:22] In the ‘Finding the Words’ section of this episode, Mike and Alison recall the meeting at which the consultant explained Mike’s cancer diagnosis. Despite their best efforts, much of that meeting passed as a blur, so it was extremely helpful that Alison had prepared some questions and then wrote down key points covered in the meeting. [23:44] In the ‘And Finally’ section, Mike highlights the fantastic contribution made to cancer diagnosis and analysis by the work of Aberdeen University scientists, who carried out the world’s first Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) body scan, thanks to their breakthrough development of spin-warp imaging techniques. [27:48] Suggestions or feedback about the podcast can be sent to foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk, and Mike’s guest in the next episode will be Louise Budge, the Service and Commissioning Project Manager for The ANCHOR Centre, which is currently under construction at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. [31:04]
This show has been brought to you by https://www.freerangepodcasting.co.uk/ (Free Range Podcasting).
Mike Elder interviews Erica Banks, Communications Lead for Friends of ANCHOR, reviews some news items about the charity from August 1997 and reflects with his wife, Alison, on how significant words and descriptions can be when responding to a cancer diagnosis. NB Episodes of this podcast will normally be released on the first of each month, but this episode is being released mid-month as part of the launch arrangements for the show. The following points are among those covered in this episode: Prior to her interview, Erica provides information about recent and upcoming events, including the https://friendsofanchor.org/index.php/news/friends-of-anchor-to-benefit-from-unique-midnight-runway-run (Runway Run), the annual Golf Gala Day and the https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=446228437536803&set=a.368843318608649 (Buchan Bridal Bash). Erica also puts out a warm, general invitation to attend the Friends of ANCHOR Open Day / ‘Thank You’ event that is happening at the Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, on Friday 7 October 2022 from 1pm – 4pm. [01:01] Mike interviews Erica about her role at Friends of ANCHOR and what she finds most inspiring about the charity. [07:43] In the ‘From the Archives’ feature, Mike shares varies stories about the charity that appeared in August 1997 in the local newspaper, ‘The Press and Journal’. As well as covering a hospital visit by some ‘good pirates’ and the footballing fundraising efforts of Fraserburgh fishermen and their wives, Mike provides an explanation of a ‘buttery morning’ in case some of our listeners are not familiar with the local baked ‘delicacy’ known as the https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/328555/16-things-might-know-aberdeen-rowies/ (Aberdeen buttery or rowie)! [17:36] In the ‘Finding the Words’ section of this episode, Mike and Alison reflect on the idea of ‘What’s in a Name’, especially in connection with the use of the word, ‘cancer’. They also consider how the words and descriptions that we use in response to being diagnosed with a serious illness can make a difference to how we feel about the situation and how we interact with others, with ‘mental cell lymphoma’ being provided as an example of this! [21:09] The ‘And Finally!’ item explores the attitudes of early medical figures such as Hippocrates to blood conditions, based on their belief that blood was one of the four essential elements, or ‘humours’, of human life. As a result, bloodletting became common medical practice for centuries, with the eventual result that it became not uncommon for a ‘Bleeding Room’ to be a standard facility within a hospital! [27:24] Suggestions or feedback about the podcast can be sent to foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk, and Mike’s guest in the next episode will be John Greensmyth, who recently took part in Brave, the inspirational fashion show that has become a great favourite in the calendar of events organised annually by Friends of ANCHOR. [29:12)
This show has been brought to you by https://www.freerangepodcasting.co.uk/ (Free Range Podcasting).
Friends of ANCHOR Podcast Host, Mike Elder, introduces the show, explaining that it will be keeping listeners up to date with the inspirational work of the Friends of ANCHOR charity and everything that it is doing to support cancer and haematology care in the North-east of Scotland. In addition, Erica Banks and Sarah-Jane Hogg of Friends of ANCHOR share their hopes and aspirations for the podcast. Episodes will be published monthly, and we are very much looking forward to engaging with our listeners, who can get in touch with us via email at foapodcast@freerangepodcasting.co.uk The first episode of the Friends of ANCHOR Podcast will be released on Thursday 1 September 2022.
Work in progress but this will give you some idea of what works and what doesn't, I think.
This audio file contains four intro and outro options for the Friends of ANCHOR Podcast. The version used in Draft Episode 1 is included here so that the options can be easily compared.
This is a draft first episode, so changes can still be made to it, if desired, before it is formally published.