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Macmillan Cancer Support has launched a £3.7m fundraising appeal in Sussex to fund an innovative new service for people affected by cancer across the county.
The charity needs people living in Sussex to get behind the appeal and work together to build The Sussex Macmillan Cancer Support Centre.
Macmillan is working in partnership with local charity, The Sussex Cancer Fund, and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, to build the centre and provide the service. It is an ambitious project that will cost £5.7m in total and will benefit thousands of people living across the Sussex Cancer Network.
Specially designed by experts and people affected by cancer, the centre will provide a holistic service in a calm, non-clinical environment.
The Sussex Macmillan Cancer Support Centre will offer:
Rob Moon, Area Fundraising Manager for Macmillan in Sussex, said: “Nothing like this exists at the moment for people affected by cancer in Sussex and we’re delighted to be working with Sussex Cancer Fund and the Trust on this much needed service. We’ve got big plans for this centre and we need the people of Sussex to really get behind the appeal and help us raise the £3.7m needed to make it a reality.
“It’s a challenge but I am confident with the support and enthusiasm of people in Sussex we can reach our target and build this fantastic facility for cancer patients and their families, friends and carers.
“My message is, there are so many ways you can help and every penny really will make a huge difference. Everyone will be affected by cancer at some point in their lives - this is your centre and it could be here to help you, your friends or family in the future.”
Macmillan knows a cancer diagnosis can leave people feeling shocked, upset and isolated. It may be they or people close to them, need questions answered, emotional support or simply someone to listen and help with the things that matter.
Unfortunately, Macmillan research shows that a large proportion of people affected by cancer living in the Sussex Cancer Network, don’t receive the right information and support. In fact, on average, of the 7,000 people diagnosed with cancer every year in Sussex, 1,400 of them are given little or no information about their illness or the treatment options.
Macmillan’s Director, Steve Richards, added: “Macmillan is committed to developing the very best cancer services and we strongly believe good quality information and the right support go hand in hand with excellent clinical care. This holistic information and support service will provide ‘everything under one roof’. It will complement the existing cancer services across the Sussex Cancer Network, many of which are delivered by highly skilled Macmillan health professionals.
“We are very excited about this service, it’s going to be one of our biggest to date and I’m pleased to be able to work in partnership with the Trust and Sussex Cancer Fund, a remarkable charity that has achieved great things for people affected by cancer locally.”
Chairman of Sussex Cancer Fund, Dr George Deutsch, said:
“For over 25 years the Sussex Cancer Fund has successfully improved the Sussex Cancer Centre at RSCH with expenditure of nearly £3 million. Our aim to construct a Cancer Support Centre has proved too ambitious for us alone so we are delighted to have Macmillan as our senior partner in this project.
“Our contribution of £1.6 million to the capital appeal has got it off to an excellent start. The Fund will require continued support to fulfil our commitment to pay for the staff and other regular costs.”
Macmillan’s £3.7m appeal will be officially launched at Brighton Racecourse on 28 June.
To get involved and help raise £3.7m to build The Sussex Macmillan Cancer Support Centre please call the Macmillan Sussex fundraising office on 01273 746601 or emaileastsussex@macmillan.org.uk.