Jo's Trust

About Jo's Trust

What is Jo’s Trust?

Jo’s Trust Fighting Cervical Cancer is a UK based registered charity dedicated to women and their families and friends affected by pre-cancer and cancer of the cervix.

Registered Charity No: 1076289

Who founded Jo’s Trust?

Jo’s Trust was established by London businessman, James Maxwell (1957 - 2003) in memory of his wife, Jo (1959 - 1999) who died from cervical cancer aged 40. The trust became operational in February, 2000 with the appointment of a full time director. James Maxwell's letter

Why was Jo’s Trust founded?

Following her diagnosis in 1995 Jo (and James) had difficulty finding good information about every aspect of cervical cancer; its causes, stages, treatment options, prognosis, information about and availability of new drugs, surgical procedures and treatments, research papers and active clinical trials and support. It was their hope that one day everyone would have easy access to the best and most up-to-date information and medical advice, and most importantly for Jo, the opportunity for women affected by pre-cancer and cervical cancer to communicate with others facing similar challenges.

Jo’s Trust mission statement

To ensure that women never feel alone in their cancer journey by providing easily accessed ‘good’ information, support and confidential medical advice free of charge 24 hours a day through www.jotrust.co.uk

What are Jo’s Trust’s objectives?

To raise the public profile and understanding of the causes of pre-cancer and cervical cancer and how they can possibly be prevented and overcome
To create greater awareness of the importance of having regular cervical screening
To campaign for new and improved preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for cervical cancer

What does Jo’s Trust offer?

Confidential Medical Advice: A forum for individuals to post ‘submissions for personal advice’ to Jo’s Trust online panel of 40 medical experts with specialist skills and an interest in gynaecological cancer. Submissions receive confidential medical advice, information and support within 12 – 36 hours
Let's Meet: An open chat forum for women to ‘meet’ and share experiences and network with others facing similar challenges
About Cervical Cancer: A portal for pre-cancer and cervical cancer information written, frequently reviewed and updated by medical professionals
Links: Selected organisations and charities that provide the highest level of professional support
Research: The latest information about new research and how to access relevant clinical trials

Who contacts Jo’s Trust?

Women of all ages from all over the world and members of their family and friends

Why do people contact Jo’s Trust?

To seek professional confidential medical advice from the Jo’s Trust online panel of medical experts with an interest and specialist skills in gynaecolgocial cancer
To find the most up to date information on all aspects of pre-cancer and cancer of the cervix
For reassurance and support
For affirmation of advice and information already given
For definitions of medical terms and clarification of procedures and treatments
For Information about new procedures and alternative treatments
To find out possible consequences of treatment
For support with ‘coping’ strategies
For interaction with other medical teams
To discuss concerns about body image issues and relationship worries
For support about fertility issues
To communicate with other women for support through shared mutual experiences
To express difficult emotions and feelings about personal situations anonymously
Support for family and friends
For diet and lifestyle tips

How do I contact the medical panel?

Click on 'Confidential Medical Advice' and input the details required in the boxes provided. Information that is important for the medical panel to receive is your age, a brief but as accurate as possible smear history, other health problems that maybe relevant to your submitted question (s) or concerns. We are here to help in every way and sympathise with how worried you are but try and give as much information in as clear and concise way as you can, it will help us support you as quickly as possible.

What is a Submission for Personal Advice?

A Submission for Personal Advice is the term referred to the e-mail received by Jo’s Trust that contains questions/concerns sent through the Confidential Medical Advice forum on this website. The poster will receive an automatic acknowledgement that their submission has been sent. This will be followed up by a personal reply from Jo’s Trust’s office relating that your ‘submission’ will be forwarded to the appropriate member of the medical panel.

How quickly can I get advice from the medical panel?

The Consultants, Clinical Nursing Specialists, Counsellors and other members of the Jo’s Trust medical panel are very supportive of those who contact the trust and respond to submissions as quickly as their daily work commitments permit. Information and advice can be sent within an hour of receiving a submission to an average of 12 to 72 hours. Members of the panel give their time, confidential, professional advice and support free of charge.

Can anyone use the Let's Meet forum?

Let's Meet is an open forum for everyone who has been affected by an aspect of pre-cancer or cervical cancer. It is easy to use but registration is now required due to the number of unsolicited and unwelcome ‘spam’ e-mails. Zoe, a member of Jo's Trust has generously ‘posted’ a welcoming message on the forum, which new users will benefit from reading.

Login is simple: Fill in the registration form with a valid e-mail address and your own choice of username and password. You will receive an e-mail validating your e-mail address. Follow the link in this e-mail to complete your registration.

Let's Meet is a place of support for all those who wish to share their experiences. Jo's Trust welcomes everyone with the wish that the content and language used in 'posts' on 'Let's Meet' is respectful, courteous and tolerant of each other's stories, personal circumstances and views as well as any challenges being faced.

The naming of health care professionals, hospitals, organisations or any individuals involved in your medical care is not advised. It is contrary to Jo's Trust's Legal Terms & Conditions for registered users of Let's Meet to criticise any individual or organsiation or to promote prescription drugs, medical products or therapies and commercial or professional services.

The director of Jo's Trust reserves the right to edit or delete contributions.

Last Updated: 30 Oct 2007

Walk for Fun Photographs

Thank you most sincerely to everyone who participated in Jo's Trust first 'Walk for Fun'!

'Be cervix savvy'
Cervical screening advertisement produced by Camden PCT and Jo's Trust

Phone Counseling Helpful After Cervical Cancer

Women who give up smoking can reverse health hazards

Strictly star Zoe Ball shows her support - Worthing Herald

Cervical cancer screening - Woman's Weekly

Anti cancer vaccine is just the jab - Coventry Telegraph