Articles

Life is definitely better when you dance – which is why Cancer Support UK is repeating it’s most popular fundraising event, the Sh’bamathon.

A VW Passat Estate car has been transformed into a spectacular Star Wars themed X-wing starfighter by four enthusiasts from Derbyshire to raise money for Cancer Support UK.

Stress and poor mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing cancer patients post treatment. This Stress Awareness Month (1-30 April 2023), National cancer charity Cancer Support UK is announcing its ongoing partnership with The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF) to increase awareness of the financial and emotional support available to cancer patients in Dorset.

Cancer Support UK has formed a new collaborative partnership with the Yorkshire Cancer Community, for the benefit of people in Yorkshire affected by cancer.

As human beings, we like certainties, but with cancer there are no guarantees that our cancer won’t come back. Read our tips on how to cope.

In this new series, we will be asking a wide range of experts, five questions, in order to share useful insight and tips with you. This month, in his interview with Dr Nancy Priston, Cancer Support UK’s CEO, Mark Guymer, learns how to successfully lose weight and incorporate exercise into your life.

On World Book Day (2 March) what better way of highlighting the benefits of reading for people living with and beyond cancer, than sharing the recommendations of Cancer Support UK’s Cancer Coach participants, volunteers and team members.

Helen, 45, was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2021 and says that without doubt, early detection of her cancer saved her life. “I am also lucky to be surrounded by the most supportive family and friends. As I sat in the consultation room trying to take in what I had just been told, I had no idea just how much my world was going to change. Helen puts her humour and positivity to good use on social media, by sharing her cancer journey in the hope that it will inspire others.

Cancer Support UK has joined a growing numbers of companies who have taken the #workingwithcancer pledge to support people with cancer in the workplace. CEO Mark Guymer says: “Our workplace cancer support courses can give every type of organisation the knowledge, tools and confidence to give colleagues impacted by cancer the right kind of emotional assistance.”

“Cancer Coach not only helped me deal with the aftermath of the many treatments, it also showed me that I wasn’t alone in all this. Friends and family are great, but they might not have had cancer. The other people in the Cancer Coach support group all had cancer and we felt as though we were connected. We laughed and cried and supported each other.

Nordic walking helped Catherine deal with the physical effects of Lymphoedema following surgery and treatment for breast cancer. It boosted her mental health, too. “Striding out with the poles felt wonderfully empowering, especially after recently feeling so weak and vulnerable.”

We are delighted to say that thanks to your amazing donations our Cuddles for Christmas appeal and our new Bag of Smiles campaign exceeded their targets.

We believe in a future world where those impacted by cancer do not need to suffer needlessly and we will play our part to achieve this by delivering three important commitments by 2025.

Jane Woods’ love of cold water swimming started with a quick dip one Christmas day several years ago in Swanage. “I decided to swim once a month for a year, then once a week. It has become an almost daily habit, which helps lift my mood and keeps anxiety at bay.”

“If I find myself worrying too much now, I read my workbook and the notes I made. This reminds me that I can worry less and reassures me that worrying is normal. However, there’s a time and a place for worry and it doesn’t have to consume my thoughts every day.” Claire recommends joining Cancer Coach, as the course really helped her.

The festive season is well underway now with the usual rounds of parties, drinks and over indulging. It can be pretty overwhelming and often when you are feeling isolated or depressed, the prospect of the next few weeks can be quite scary. Life is about finding the right balance and it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a little plan in place to help you get as much enjoyment as possible. So here are a few ideas from Dr Nancy Priston, our Health Ambassador, to help keep you on track.

We asked our Cancer Coach participants to share their survival tips for the festive season. From focusing on spending time with family and friends to treating yourself to a facial, their advice comes from first-hand experience on how to make the most of this special time of year without being overwhelmed.

Knowing how to communicate productively yet sensitively with colleagues in your workplace who are affected by cancer is essential. Through our Cancer Coach work, we’ve learnt there are many helpful things to say and do when someone is affected by cancer. It’s important to understand what kind of language and what type of conversation is likely to encourage them to get across what they need to say, while feeling comfortable.

Here are some useful approaches to help you manage conversations about cancer. Remember there is no such thing as a perfect script – the main aim is to be aware of the pressures, which people affected by cancer face.

For people living with and beyond cancer, the festive period can be a time of anxiety as well as joy. Four of our Cancer Coach participants talk about their cancer experiences at Christmas and how they faced up to a different future with the support and friendship of their fellow group members.

Finnie’s cancer diagnosis was the news that no family should ever have to face. He has endured three years of intense and gruelling treatment, as well as separation from his family. “Childhood cancer changes a family forever, but the support of charities like Cancer Support UK, who gave Finnie a Kid’s Kit, have helped to brighten Finnie’s hospital stays,” says his mum Kellie.

“When I first received my cancer diagnosis I was absolutely broken and in shock. But after my operation I thought I’m going to fight this and not let it take over my life.” Nasreen has been through surgery and gruelling treatment, but found the Comfort Kit a great help.

Michael felt very alone and scared once his cancer treatment had finished. He joined Cancer Support UK’s Cancer Coach programme and found the online meetings helpful. “It was therapeutic to hear other people’s cancer journey stories and to be able to share mine.”

As the cost of living escalates, CEO Mark Guymer believes that it’s more important than ever to support people living beyond cancer, giving them the confidence to take control of their recovery.

In her new blog series for Cancer Support UK, our new Health and Fitness Ambassador, Nancy Priston, aims to help you reframe your thinking about your levels of activity and healthy living generally. The strategies Nancy uses are designed to support your progress and, most importantly, to help you feel better while doing it.

Cancer Support UK was delighted to receive positive feedback from Mondelēz UK employees who had received Cancer Support Ambassador training.

If you are a healthcare professional and would like to refer someone to Cancer Coach, you can do so online, through the Cancer Support UK website.

Nancy Priston will work with Cancer Support UK by sharing her expertise through a new digital health column, which will be aimed at supporting those who have received a cancer diagnosis and who are interested in becoming healthier and fitter.

The kit provided me with the knowledge that I wasn’t alone. It told me that people were there for me during this awful time and gave me joy and excitement.

Cancer Coach proved a life changing experience for Hilda. “I loved everything about Cancer Coach. It’s a great service and I found it so useful. I really looked forward to my Monday sessions and talking with people who understood me.

Book a place on Cancer Support UK’s Cancer Support Ambassador Autumn training courses, which cover the physical and emotional side effects of both cancer and cancer treatments. The course content also contains tools and strategies to equip workplace Cancer Support Ambassadors with key skills to have supportive conversations with individuals experiencing emotional turmoil due to or caused by the effects of cancer.

“Since the announcement of Her Majesty’s death, I have read and listened to many different responses,” says CEO Mark Guymer. One commentator resonated deeply with me when they said, “It’s not about learning to live without someone, it’s about learning to live with the love they have left behind.” 

“We try to take everything a day at a time. Our family has been severely impacted through the experience, but we are completely united in supporting Tilly as she tries to resume normal – or as close to normal living as possible.”

Cancer Coach facilitator Charlene uses a simple but highly effective breathing exercise to help her group cope with anxiety following cancer treatment.

Our Trust Fundraising Manager Emma is passionate about helping people with cancer. Emma excels at bringing Cancer Support UK’s work to life, sharing our vision with funders in order to engage them and ultimately gain vital funding to ensure we can continue to support people affected by cancer.

The impact that a cancer diagnosis can have on an individual’s mental health is significant, yet 85% of employees with a cancer diagnosis want to carry on working. This highlights a need for effective support strategies to be put in place by businesses to help colleagues living with cancer. Cancer Support UK has developed a bespoke Cancer Support Ambassador Training programme to train businesses to support employees living with cancer.

“It’s really important that you are supported both during and after treatment has finished. Because that is the point where everything stops and you’re left wondering what’s going to happen next. The Cancer Kit Ruth received as a result of your donations gave her a big morale boost when she was feeling very low.

Following treatment for breast cancer, Lynne turned to Cancer Coach for help. She used the course’s strategies and peer support to move forward with her life. “The sessions were very relaxed. The Cancer Coach facilitator was so welcoming and an amazing listener – very empathetic to everyone in the group, particularly during emotional conversations.

Cancer Support UK’s Cancer Coach Manager Charlotte Poulter has received a well deserved promotion and is now Head of Service. Charlotte’s hard work has ensured the success of the Cancer Coach service, building positive working relationships with participants, volunteers, partners, stakeholders and the voluntary sector.

Former children’s cancer nurse Jos McLaren, 43, was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer during lockdown. Five months later she was shocked to learn that the cancer had spread to her spine, changing her diagnosis to stage 4 with a terminal prognosis. Having completed chemotherapy, she now receives monoclonal antibody injections to prevent the cancer from spreading any further. Jos’ experience inspired her to compose and record a song to give hope to other cancer patients.

Jane is one of Cancer Support UK’s amazing Cancer Coach volunteers. An experienced coach, she lives in Dorset and facilitates our Cancer Coach courses remotely for the benefit of people across the UK who have completed their cancer treatment.

We’d like to introduce you to Olivia, who has written a blog about her role at Cancer Support UK, helping organisations manage conversations about cancer with colleagues and customers. She ensures that organisations are given the right tools to communicate about cancer, whether it’s through an individually tailored workshop or via an online e-learning module.

John was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2021 and given the worst possible news – that the tumour in his throat was beyond treatment. In the midst of chemotherapy, he received a Chemo Kit, made possible by our generous supporters. It was the boost he so desperately needed. Best of all, his terminal journey took an unexpected turn and he’s now in remission.

Cancer Support UK is now a member of Cancer52, an umbrella charity, which represents over 100 charities and patient organisations, who are united by their vision of seeing a better future for everyone affected by the rare and less common cancers.

Despite a stage 3 bowel cancer diagnosis and an Acoustic Neuroma (low grade brain tumour), Karen, 51, has refused to be defined by her cancer and has forged a new life for herself.

Help support Cancer Support UK by taking part in a fun packed Sh’bamathon from 1pm to 4pm on Sunday 3 July at Nuffield Heath Surbiton, Surrey.

Cancer Support UK’s new CEO, Mark Guymer, writes about his experience as an observer on our Cancer Coach course, which offers peer support to people post cancer treatment.

“The group’s coach was very welcoming, as were all the other participants in my group. Even though we were all strangers to each other, we had all gone through a similar experience. Everyone was very friendly and open.

“I absolutely loved the group and got a lot out of it. I have stayed in contact with two ladies who were on the course with me. We now have a WhatsApp group to keep in touch regularly, which really helps.

The ongoing implications of COVID-19 has created increased awareness among employers of their responsibility to support employees’ health and wellbeing, including cancer related challenges. As leading providers of practical and emotional support for people living with cancer, Cancer Support UK has developed a series of workshops to help employers communicate about cancer in the workplace.

Tara’s surgery and treatment for her breast cancer took place during lockdown, which meant no-one was allowed to attend appointments with her. Afterwards, she felt frustrated and sad, as friends and family were unable to understand what she was going through. Luckily she found the support of Cancer Coach and has never looked back.

Frank’s cancer journey has involved not only overcoming his own bowel cancer, but also coming to terms with close family’s experience with the disease. Cancer Coach has helped Frank move forwards and face the future positively.

“Having someone to listen to me and provide guidance was essential in helping me come to terms with everything. I thank Cancer UK for being there for me through this journey. You have made a huge difference.

In these uncertain times UK charities need help now, more than ever. Regular donations through Payroll Giving are one of the easiest ways to support Cancer Support UK.

It is with deep sadness that we inform you about the passing of Anna James, Cancer Support UK’s former Head of Service, who was a highly valued and much respected staff member from 2019 to 2021.

A surprise Easter visitor to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, in the shape of a cuddly warmable ted, lends a comforting paw to three year old cancer patient Tiernan

“Through Cancer Coach I met other women with similar experiences to myself. We were all able to have a good laugh together, despite having different kinds of outcomes.”

“If you have an opportunity to join Cancer Coach, my message is do it. Because afterwards you will feel that a load has been taken off your shoulders.” Linda, 64, who has endured and overcome several types of cancer.

“Each session gave me strength and reason to carry on. The fact that we could discuss sensitive issues with each other, without being judged, felt empowering. The whole atmosphere was relaxed, empathetic and helpful, as we all supported and learned from each other.

Seven years ago Sumitra was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. She is now a volunteer with Cancer Support UK’s Cancer Coach programme and uses her experience to help people who have completed their physical cancer treatment. “Everyone’s journey is unique and there is no normality – simply the new normal from having cancer.”

It was during the most difficult period of her treatment, when she was spending days and nights in hospital, that Esmé received her Kids’ Kit.
According to her mum, Wendy, it put a huge smile on Esme’s face, which gave the rest of the family a positive boost:

“I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again because it’s made such a difference. I’d recommend Cancer Coach to anybody who is feeling a bit isolated with their situation and wants to talk about it. You don’t always want to feel like a burden to your family and friends who haven’t had cancer – sometimes they don’t really understand.”

“The group I was part of were women of similar ages and by the end of the first session, I felt the loneliness lift. They had the same fears, they struggled with the same feelings, they had the same anger and we talked this through honestly and openly. The relief to hear others had the same thoughts was therapeutic and I looked forward to every session after that.”

Cancer Support UK Chief Executive Gemma Holding has announced that she will leave the charity at the end of February 2022.

“I felt that once you finished treatment that was it, nothing, zero, on your own to figure it out. Thankfully Cancer Support UK was available.”

Sayuri’s mum, Ichika, believes that Sayuri’s soft toys are not just for comfort and fun: “She plays hospital with them, which helps her process her experiences.

“I think that sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference and the Chemo Kit has definitely done that. By championing such a great initiative, I hope that it will benefit others going through a similar experience to myself or even just those fighting the varying degrees of different cancers.”

“It was filled with lots of useful things that really made a difference. It can be quite isolating when you’re diagnosed because suddenly it feels like it’s just you, but knowing there was support out there really helped and made me feel that somebody cared.”

When someone has been diagnosed with cancer, there is an overwhelming amount of information to absorb and process in what can seem a very short window of time. When treatment such as chemotherapy starts, there are many things you need to think of in terms of your own physical comfort.

“That weekly session was so helpful, talking to strangers who became new friends, who knew exactly what I was going through, was brilliant. We cried and laughed and came out the other side with good coping skills and tools to help us deal with any issues that may arise.”

Whether you are still receiving treatment for cancer or have completed treatment and are facing

“Audrey’s Warmies teddy bear has brought her much needed comfort when she is feeling a bit down or just tired. She particularly likes that she can warm it up in the microwave to give him a cuddle. The scent is amazing and very calming too.”

Link loves his new bear from Cancer Support UK, which can be warmed up to help soothe and comfort him. The soft and cuddly ted provides stress and anxiety relief and is perfectly weighted to provide a calming and positive sensory experience.

“Jake was so excited when he unwrapped Charlie – he wrapped him up in his blanket straightaway. He has already come in very useful when Jake had a cold. We heated Charlie up and popped him into bed beside him.”

“Mara is completely in love with Charlie Bear and can’t stop stroking him. Recently she’s been struggling to sleep so his gorgeous lavender scent is a very welcome addition to her bed. Thank you to Cancer Support UK, there’s very little that beats seeing that smile!”

“The cuddly toy provided by Cancer Support UK last Christmas is wonderful. Omarni loves his teddy as it’s so soft and cuddly. It can be heated in a microwave, so we use it throughout autumn and winter for lovely warming snuggles.”

“Jodie is four months into her maintenance treatment stage, which continues until February 2023. Every one in four months we visit John Radcliffe hospital where she has a lumbar puncture, she’s so brave  and takes it all in her stride.” Cancer Support UK sent Jodie a Warmies bear to say well done for being so brave.

“Cancer Coach helped me come to terms with my issues and to be confident about the rest of my life. I thought maybe I could use my experience to help others.”

“Although I am naturally an optimist, the programme helped me feel more confident about the future. It provided me with a good opportunity to review my cancer journey.”

“We are very grateful for Cancer UK’s support in bringing a smile to Bella’s face and helping her to forget what she is going through.”

“We provide a safe space where people can reflect, open up, share their feelings and build empathy with others. It’s great to see that people can connect with one another.”

“I feel like I’ve met friends for life through Cancer Coach support group sessions and I still have that support that I was lacking before I discovered this charity.”

Lucy’s Cancer Coach Story     Lucy was diagnosed with a melanoma in her eye

Louise’s Cancer Coach Story     Louise, 55, was diagnosed with breast and lymph node

“Following treatment I felt very abandoned. But in Cancer Coach, I never felt like I was being bumped out of the way – people were really considerate and listened to my experiences.”

“It’s impossible to understand adapting back to life post-treatment unless you’ve been through it. Physically, emotionally, mentally, cancer changes you beyond measure. Our Cancer Coach group has stayed in touch. We have an incredible bond.”

As friends and family, it can sometimes be hard to know how to best care for loved ones as they undergo treatment. Here are some tips on how you can provide emotional and practical support.

We have applied for the Aviva Community Fund which allows small charities to gain access

Chief executive Gemma Holding said: “Inequalities in health and well-being provision across the UK mean that some patients – based on where they live – have better access to, and receive higher quality health care than others”. Find out more about CSUK with links to news articles about us.

Cancer Support UK’s Kids Cancer Kit is a hit with seven-year-old Isla from Northamptonshire. Isla,

Cancer Support UK is taking part in the UK’s biggest match funding campaign with the

Linda Brack tells us her story of why she skydived for Cancer Support UK on

Two of our supporters, Jonny and Dan, recently completed skydives for us and raised an

Cancer Support UK is delighted to announce a new commercial partnership with Clothes Aid, the

Last night the Cancer Support UK team had the pleasure of attending the annual Charity

Cancer Support UK has been is shortlisted for two awards at the prestigious Charity Times

Cancer Support UK is delighted to launch a new service this month, which isn’t currently

We are delighted that our CEO, Gemma Holding, has received a prestigious Judges Recognition Award 2016 from ACEVO for ‘brave and inspirational leadership’. ACEVO (Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations) represents the UK’s largest network for charity and social enterprise leaders.