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Despite still emerging from a recession Macmillan Cancer Support has bucked the charity sector’s usual trend of asking for cash in its Autumn advertising campaign.
Responding to increasing demand for its services|, Macmillan’s campaign pushes its message of giving practical, emotional and financial support to the two million people living with cancer, and doesn’t ask for a penny.
Macmillan’s Support Line takes an average of 500 calls a day from people affected by cancer, and over the Autumn period alone is expecting 50,000 calls. A fifth of calls are from people affected by cancer seeking financial support| as they struggle to pay increased fuel bills, hospital parking charges and put food on the table. Macmillan’s benefits advisors| have also helped cancer patients claim back £20.6 million in benefits in the last year alone, and £9.1 million is given out in grants to help people stay afloat.
Only a small minority of calls to Macmillan are about dying, reflecting the fact cancer is changing into a disease people are living longer with, and Macmillan’s role has changed accordingly to offer long term support from the point of diagnosis onwards.
Hilary Cross, Director of External Affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support, said:
‘As a charity that relies entirely on the generosity of public donations to carry out our vital work we’re aware it might seem odd we’re not asking for money in our Good Days advertising campaign. But this campaign is about reaching out to the two million people living with cancer who desperately need practical help and support, now more than ever. ‘The Good Days idea came out of conversations on our online community|, so it’s rooted in how people talk about their day to day experience of living with cancer. We found that seemingly little things like having an aspect of treatment explained simply, finding out about a benefit they can claim, or simply off-loading to one of our counsellors rather than your family for a change, made a huge difference to people.’
‘As a charity that relies entirely on the generosity of public donations to carry out our vital work we’re aware it might seem odd we’re not asking for money in our Good Days advertising campaign. But this campaign is about reaching out to the two million people living with cancer who desperately need practical help and support, now more than ever.
‘The Good Days idea came out of conversations on our online community|, so it’s rooted in how people talk about their day to day experience of living with cancer. We found that seemingly little things like having an aspect of treatment explained simply, finding out about a benefit they can claim, or simply off-loading to one of our counsellors rather than your family for a change, made a huge difference to people.’
Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm. Calls are free, including from mobiles or visit www.macmillan.org.uk|
Anna Brosnan, Media & PR Manager, Macmillan Cancer Support 0207 840 7818 abrosnan@macmillan.org.uk|
1. The Good Days campaign runs from 1 September for two months. It will run on TV, radio, in national and regional papers, supplements and magazines, as well as online.
2. Top stats on Macmillan’s Support Line :
3. If you do wish to donate to Macmillan, please go to www.macmillan.org.uk/donate|
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support. Working alongside people affected by cancer, Macmillan works to improve cancer care. One in three of us will get cancer. Two million of us are living with it. If you are affected by cancer Macmillan can help.