THE CANDUDES
DR JULIE WARDROP (FOUNDER, TRUSTEE & MINDFULNESS TEACHER)
In 2002, I was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer. I was not prepared for the mental & physical challenges of treatment and was grateful to be supported by a specialist nurse who was kind, empathetic and available to listen to, and be with, my pain.
In 2015 my dad was diagnosed with cancer. The support was minimal. A person-centred approach seemed lost. It is my wish to see a compassion-focused approach embedded in all cancer services, alongside support for patients to access the help they require, quickly, easily and directly.
A final thought: Every moment in conversation with someone who is suffering offers, at best, an opportunity for compassion and healing and, at worst, increased suffering and pain.
​
JENNI CHRISTIESON (COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKER)
​
After my diagnosis of bilateral breast cancer in August 2021, I had CANDU recommended to me by someone at work. I got in touch and met some of the wonderful team and never looked back! They were so incredibly supportive, listened with kindness to all my woes and concerns, offered therapies and practical help and were always friendly. I was so grateful for the support that I felt I wanted to give something back when I was strong enough. Becoming an outreach worker has been fantastic for my own recovery as well as giving me a sense of belonging. I love that my lived experience means that I can give others support and help through their own cancer journey with empathy and respect.
​
​jenni@cancerdundee.org​​​​
​
ALISON McMURRAY (COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKER)
​
I first came along to CANDU to take part in the Living Well with Cancer Mindfulness sessions. Also taking part in the craft group and the Feeding Your Body and Mind programme. I’ve found the friendship through shared experience of cancer invaluable and the activities including Mindfulness have taken me away from overthinking when it comes to my health and given me practical tips to improve my body and mind. I am now working at CANDU as a part time Outreach worker having previously spent 19 years in the NHS followed by 19 years in the Voluntary sector. I'm really looking forward to promoting the service and supporting others with my lived experience.
​
HEATHER MACKENZIE (COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKER)
​
I visited Candu drop-in 2 days after I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was here I met Alison Connelly from Candu and started to believe my life wasn't over. My experience means I appreciate the importance of people with lived experience. I was waiting around 2 months to start treatment but during this time I attended a mindfulness course at Candu which helped massively with the stress and continuous worry and would recommend it for anyone.
I am very happy to be working for Candu as a Community outreach worker so that we can help as many people as possible.
​
​​​
Get Involved
CANDU FRIENDS

If you have been personally affected by cancer or care for a family member and feel you have something to offer we would love to hear from you. We would particularly welcome new members who are passionate about user-led service change and patient and public participation.
​
JOIN THE NETWORK

If you work with cancer patients and their families we invite you to join our dynamic user-led co-production network. We are working together to make true 'co-production' and 'partnership' a reality in cancer care in Dundee
​
​
BE AN ARMCHAIR EXPERT

If you don't have the time or energy for meetings and events we still want to hear from you. Your opinion and needs matter and by becoming an armchair expert you help to give a voice to other cancer patients and their families in the best way for you. We can arrange for you to attend our meetings online if you prefer.
​
​
VICKY REID (TRUSTEE & VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR)
​
Vicky is a CANDU Trustee and dedicated cancer support volunteer in Dundee. She is committed to supporting people affected by cancer following her own experience caring for her Dad during his renal cancer diagnosis and treatment.
She works as a befriender for Tayside Cancer Support, has been a long-term volunteer with CANDU, and Vicky now co-ordinates the CANDU Support Drop-In at the Wellgate Centre supporting and providing supervision for the dedicated team of CANDU staff and volunteers.
​
VERONICA PENMAN (SHORT BREAK ADMINISTRATOR)
​​
Veronica has spent her professional life in community learning and development roles, most recently as a lecturer and part of the student support team at Dundee & Angus College.
​
Veronica has been treated for melanoma and as a lifetime sun lover she is keen to raise awareness around the growing incidences of skin cancer in Scotland.​​
​
​vpdundee2002@yahoo.com​
ALISON CONNELLY (CHAIRPERSON)
I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-small cell metastatic lung cancer in August 2019. It was a bolt from the blue, I was paralysed by fear and felt completely powerless. This reinforced for me the importance of receiving support, early in diagnosis, to identify your needs, work through your fear and give you a voice in your own treatment. Despite feeling frightened and powerless we can all use our own lived experience to help others
​
​
STEPHEN CONNELLY (TRUSTEE)
​
Stephen joins us in 2025 as our first Trustee dedicated to raising awareness of the issues and challenges faced by the families and carers of cancer patients. As our Chairpersons husband, Stephen is also instrumental in the management and promotion of short breaks for families affected by cancer at the Connelly Lodge in Blairgowrie.​​
​​​
​stephenc111@virginmedia.com​​
MAGGIE FLEMING (TRUSTEE)
​
A survivor of childhood cancer, Maggie has supported CANDU as an enthusiastic volunteer and friend for the last 5 years, throughout COVID and now that we are back face-to-face she continues to help in any way needed and is a valuable addition to our Board of Trustees. We can't thank her enough for her 'CANDU' attitude.
​
​​​maggie.fleming@hotmail.com​
​
MARION GIBB (TRUSTEE)
​
Marion is dedicated to giving her time as an active volunteer for CANDU for over 2 years and is happy to help in any way she can sewing, cleaning, fundraising and has given many hours to ensure the Lodge is kept ship shape and welcoming for our guests.
​​​​​​
​
CAROLINE NIESTYU (TRUSTEE)
​
Caroline uses her skills as an artist and craftswoman to help raise funds for CANDU. ​​​​
​
​carolinegrant28@gmail.com​
​
