DEAN WILSON'S TOP TIPS FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE
I know how difficult it can be to find good travel insurance and I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but here’s my top tips
Speak to your specialist about whether you are fit to travel?
Take it out at the time of booking, I get some many people take travel insurance out just before they travel, they are missing the major point of travel insurance , which is to cover you against the need to cancel (MSE Martin Lewis says ASAB) at least 50% of claims are for cancellation not just medical whilst away.
Have your medical history and medications to hand before you call the insurance companies. This can make the call quicker and less stressful
Declare your conditions – might sound obvious but be upfront about your conditions, all insurance companies will try and wriggle out of a settlement if they can
Choose a geographical area to holiday in that’s easier and often cheaper to get insurance for – my insurer would insure me for Europe cover but not USA, Canada ,Mexico and the Caribbean (leave the Caribbean cruise for later in your recovery)
Get quotes for both annual and single trip policies, in many cases an annual policy can be not much more and can save you going through the rigmarole of answering health questions for every trip.
Ask them about increasing voluntary excesses, by increasing the excess just like motor insurance you can bring the cost down.
Family or group policies can be based on the on the traveller deemed the highest rink so think about separate cover (rather than a couple’s policy or a family policy)
If you are planning a cruise or a wintersports holiday make sure your cover includes this.
Consider a broker (they become interested in cases where its eye wateringly expensive)
If its too expensive, keep reapplying, as time passes without further investigation or treatment costs can fall.
Remember you always have a 14 day cooling off period with travel insurance after purchasing if you find the cover is not suitable for you
Cancer research UK have a page on travel insurance with good advice
British Insurance Brokers Association have a directory of suppliers
https://www.biba.org.uk/technical-updates/travel-medical-directory/
Get a Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic). A valid Ghic means you can access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland. Just remember that the Ghic card isn’t a replacement for travel insurance: you are likely to still need specialist holiday insurance with cancer support. (FREE ON THE NHS website)
Finally to avoid having to claim at all – speak to a good travel agent about ways of booking your travel that limit your exposure to cancellation charges and offer more flexible terms for those with pre existing conditions.
CHANGE OF VENUE
Due to circumstances beyond our control, from August 2023 we are forced to move our monthly meetings to The Richmond, 234 Scarisbrick New Road, Southport PR8 5HL.
GEOFF WHEELER's FOOTBALL GROUND WALK
Geoff's Charity Football Grounds Walk
In aid of Prostate Cancer UK and Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
My story
In October 2019, I was diagnosed with Prostate cancer which had spread to my bones and lungs. I had not shown any symptoms of these illnesses and unfortunately my cancer is now incurable. It was only found when I had a simple PSA blood test, the results of which should have had a normal reading of 4 but mine was over 8,000. Currently prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in the UK with more than 11,500 men dying every year from this disease. I would strongly say to every man (especially those over 50) to ask their doctor for a PSA test, because with early detection it can be successfully treated. At the present time I am reasonably well and responding well to the treatment I am receiving.
I have had wonderful care and support from The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and Prostate Cancer UK and would like to raise some funds and awareness for them both.
So, taking my love of football as inspiration, on 10th May 2020 I will be walking with some family and friends around Everton’s pitch at Goodison Park, walking across Stanley Park and finishing with a walk around Anfield (hopefully by then the Premier League champions!)
I am really looking forward to this walk and raising as much money as possible for these two wonderful charities. All money raised will be split equally between the two charities.
If you wish to support me in this walk you can do so by donating to my Virgin Money Giving page on this link
TONY COLLIER'S 970 MILE CHALLENGE
After Tony's inspirational talk at our April meeting, a couple of members expressed a desire to donate to his 970 Mile Challenge. As a result I am posting a link to his justgiving page here and will send it out with our May flyer. www.justgiving.com/fundraising/970miles4men
UPDATE: In June Tony was awarded the British Empire Medal, in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, for his services to charity, fundraising and the community. Congratulations Tony!
MACMILLAN HEALTH & WELLBEING EVENT
Macmillan are holding their second Health & Wellbeing event of the year at the Royal Clifton Hotel, Southport PR8 1RB on Thursday 12th September from 2pm to 4:30pm. This Health & Wellbeing event is for everybody who has been affected by cancer, whether directly or through supporting someone with cancer.
It is free of charge, but booking is essential. To book please call 01704 533024 or email: sfccg.macmillancic@nhs.net
There is limited parking at the front of the hotel and also at the rear entrance which is on West Street. Alternative parking is also available at the B & M car park (50p per hour) on Kingsway, the park and ride service (£2 all day) or there is 5 hours free parking at the Ocean Plaza.
MAD DOG 9 10k RUN
On Sunday 3rd February group administrator Tony Hollister and Liz Ward ran the Mad Dog 10k for Prostate Cancer UK. Thanks to the generosity of everybody who sponsored us, including members of this group, we managed to raise over £550, thank you.
As we all know, Prostate Cancer UK are desperately trying to find a satisfactory means of delivering a screening programme for prostate cancer and urgently need our help. Last year, with your help, we managed to raise over £800 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
PROSTATE CANCER UK SUPPORT GROUP
The above is an excellent Facebook group that I have been put in touch with. They are extremely informative, supportive and humourous and well worth a look. They also have a calendar for sale, details available on the website https://www.livingwithpc.com/calendar. Please take a look.
BRAVE THE SHAVE FUNDRAISER
On Saturday 8th September John Medlicott will be doing the "Brave the Shave" fundraiser, for Macmillan, at the Tawd Vale Inn, Berry Street, Skelmersdale. Anyone who would like to pop along and support this event will be more than welcome.
UPDATE: John and friends completed the completed the Brave the Shave and raised in excess of £1,400 for Macmillan Cancer Research.
FUNDING ASSISTANCE
At the April planning meeting it was decided that the group would provide assistance in either funding equipment for the Urology Department at Southport Hospital, or, assisting with funding to send urology staff on courses to improve their knowledge of prostate cancer treatment and techniques. Forms have been generated and are on our website for downloading by applicants who should then complete them and return them to the group for approval.
MORRISONS AWARENESS DAY
On Monday 6th February several members of the committee, and organisers, held a prostate cancer awareness day at
Morrisons in Southport. Bev Lean, Sheila Coughlan, Brian Porter, Tony Hollister and Liz Ward, Mr Singh, Derek and
Edna Williams, Heather Wright and Carol Thomson handed out the Prostate Cancer UK "Know Your Prostate" leaflets and information about the support group. We had a stall in the foyer from10am till 4pm and collected £127.50. Thank you to everyone who gave up their time to help on the day.
One gentleman we spoke to contacted Brian a few days later for information to share with his fishing club colleagues,
as he wants to raise awareness about prostate cancer. Sheila suggested that one of the Medical Team could attend
this club and give a short presentation. At the moment we are waiting to hear back from them. This gentleman was
diagnosed with prostate cancer almost 10 years ago.
Thursday 7th November 2024
The Richmond, 234 Scarisbrick New Road, Southport PR8 5HL
Guest Speaker: Michelle Cain
Subject: A workshop on Hormone Therapy
Join us on Facebook and keep up to date with group details and activities
Southport & West Lancs Prostate Cancer Support Group offers support and help to members and their families.
Medical advice about an individual's illness should always be obtained from a qualified medical practitioner.