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Breast cancer month initiatives
Date Added: 2009-08-14
Two months ago one of my colleagues was frantically collecting donations and sponsorship for a 5k walk for charity. Hurriedly scribbling my name to down to support her, I realised that she was participating in Race for Life, Cancer Research’s flagship event which raises millions of pounds each year for cancer sufferers. So this week, with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month fast approaching, I began to ask her some more inquisitive questions....
Really, I wanted to know why she did it and how she became involved. She informed me the idea basically came about because she wanted to make some kind of a difference. “Nearly 46,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK and they need our help.” She added.
With this idea now firmly planted in my head, I began to look at other schemes and programmes to help cancer sufferers. I recently read a story about a new service from Breast Cancer Care Scotland, which offers cancer sufferers practical and emotional support about one of the most distressing side-effects of treatment – hair loss. Called Headstrong, the service offers people the opportunity to try on wigs and look at hair accessories - essentially giving cancer sufferers the tools to cope with losing their hair.
Also, in the magazine last month we featured a story on Racoon. The company has developed an International Hair Recovery Programme, which offers women hair extensions as an alternative to wigs for those recovering from post chemotherapy hair loss. Racoon will subsidise 70% of the cost of hair and their bonding system to the patient.
A pilot scheme is being launched by the company, which is seeking 100 women to take part in the programme. Once the pilot is completed Racoon is planning to roll out the service nationwide through its network of 5,000 appointed salons. Hopefully the service will eventually be offered through the NHS.
All these new initiatives sound amazing and it is really heart-warming to hear that so much is being done to help cancer sufferers. My colleagues’ enthusiasm has certainly spurred me on to think about the next Race for Life event in October.
What are you doing for Breast Cancer Awareness Month? Let us know below or in our forum..
