DOUGLAS Penn recently had a landmark birthday - his 70th - and being able to celebrate it with his friends and family made the occasion all the more special.

Four years ago, Doug was relaxing in the sun in Tenerife when his plastic chair gave way, hurting his ribs. He was rushed to hospital, where he was diagnosed with leukaemia just a few hours later.

"I remember the doctor sitting by my bedside and telling me the news. It came as a complete shock," said Doug. "I had always been fit and healthy as a lad and never thought cancer would happen to me.

"Being in a foreign country where you didn't have the information, advice and support needed at such a crucial time made the experience quite frightening."

After five days at the clinic, Doug and his wife Evie were able to return to Dorset, where his GP referred him to Poole Hospital for treatment. Doug was given the all-clear after five months and allowed home. But just six months later, doctors discovered the disease had returned.

This time, Doug was visited in the hospital by Angela Bradley, Macmillan community cancer nurse specialist in Poole, following a referral from district nursing sister Maureen Evans.

"The cancer nurse team providers a very good communication link between the hospital and the GP practices. We all work together as a team," explained Maureen.

The Macmillan community cancer nurse team, based at Canford Heath Clinic in Poole, uses its specialist knowledge and training to inform and educate patients and carers about treatments. Members of the team also listen to patients and carers about their feelings, worries and concerns; support patients in managing side-effects of treatment; and offer some home treatments.

In Doug's case, the team was able to offer him platelet infusions twice a week in the comfort of his own home after his discharge from hospital.

"Our team is comprised of five Macmillan community cancer specialist nurses, each paired with a community palliative care specialist nurse and attached to a group of GP practices in Poole," said Angela.

The service started in 2001 and is the only one of its kind in the whole country, developed from a primary care project supported by Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Doug said: "The cancer nurse team in Poole and Maureen were always very encouraging and helpful to my wife and myself. They were a source of strength that helped us to remain positive during a very difficult time.

"Thanks to their support I am pleased to have been in remission for the last six months and have had the joy of reaching my 70th this year - and celebrating with my wife, children, grandchildren, family and close friends."

Evie said: "We felt more confident, as we knew that if we ever needed support or help, there were specialist health care professionals in the community we could contact, such as Angela and one of her colleagues, Wendy Farrell, and Maureen."

Valerie Wallace, Macmillan Cancer Relief's fund-raising manager for Dorset said: "Doug and Evie's story is one of many that shows how important it is to have specialist health care professionals that patients and carers can turn to for support, information and advice.

"We hope people in the local community will support our major new appeal which is raising £600,000 to fund four new health care professionals who will help to improve the quality of cancer care in Dorset."

The Daily Echo and Advertiser-backed appeal is to provide a Macmillan skin cancer nurse, a welfare benefits adviser, an oncology dietitian, and a cancer physiotherapist in the county.

For further information about Macmillan Cancer Relief Appeal for Dorset, call Valerie Wallace on 01747 821669. Alternatively email vwallace@macmillan.org.uk; or visit www.macmillan.org.uk /dorset.

For cancer information and support, contact the Macmillan CancerLine on freephone 0808 808 2020, textphone 0808 808 0121, or email cancerline@macmillan.org.uk