New analysis from Macmillan Cancer Support has revealed that more than half a million people in the UK will experience one of three major cancer milestones this year.
• More than 368,000 being diagnosed with cancer
• At least 125,000 marking five years since their diagnosis
• Over 80,000 marking 10 years since their diagnosis
The new analysis has been released as part of the launch of the charity’s Milestone Moments fundraising campaign. The campaign encourages people living with cancer to mark the milestones in their cancer experience and raise money so Macmillan can continue to be there for the growing number of people with cancer in the UK.
As another 368,000 people will receive a life-changing diagnosis this year, the charity is encouraging people with cancer to mark the milestones in their cancer experience in their own personal way, while raising money so Macmillan can continue to be there for the growing number of people it supports in the UK.
In Milton Keynes, last year more than 4,000 people were told the devastating news that they had cancer. Thanks to everyone who supports Macmillan, Macmillan is providing £2m towards building the new cancer therapy centre at Milton Keynes Hospital. Building on the £15m project starts this year and it’s due to open in 2020.
The new centre will bring together oncology, clinical haematology and cancer-related chemotherapy. It’ll mean the hospital can improve the quality of cancer services, increase capacity, establish new emergency care pathways and support future demand for cancer services in Milton Keynes and beyond.
The £2m donated by Macmillan will provide a new Macmillan information and support centre and also make a big contribution to the new chemotherapy suite, where it’ll create a high-quality environment. Cancer can affect every part of a person with cancer’s life, so the all new information and support centre will help staff support their patients and their loved ones in a welcoming and relaxing place.
Jenny from the MK Hospital Charity said: "The new cancer centre at the hospital will make a huge difference to our local community – and last June our charity set out to raise £2.5M towards the project. The new centre is important because it will also allow the hospital to increase capacity and the number of patients that can be seen by 20%. The centre will also have a 24 bed inpatient ward with many of the rooms being en suite, as well as a four bed A&E style assessment bay which means that patients who are going through chemo for example, and have a low immune system, will not be put in increased risk of infection by having to visit the hospitals main A&E – instead can report directly to the centre itself. Currently, our charity has raised £750,000 which is incredible - but we have about £1.75m left to go. That is equal to approximately £6 per head of population of Milton Keynes, and so we are urging people to get behind the appeal and support this incredible project that will transform local cancer care."
One of the people marking a ‘cancerversary” this year is Emma from Hertfordshire who was diagnosed with breast and bone cancer in 2014. She said “I’ve had a lot of support from Macmillan. I’ve had money advice from them which has been really good. At first it’s so hard to think straight – you just need someone that knows what they’re doing.”
You can hear Emma’s interview in full here
We also spoke to Dany Bell, Specialist Advisor for Treatment and Recovery at Macmillan Cancer Support who told us about the levels of care that Emma would have received, and tells us how so many people are achieving these milestones.
You can her Dany’s interview in full here
If you've been inspired for find out more about Macmillan's Milestone Moments, you can find out more at https://milestones.macmillan.org.uk/
You can find out more and donate to the MK Hospital Charity Cancer Centre appeal at http://www.mkhcharity.org.uk/cancer-centre-appeal/
