April 2008

Recent research by Cancerbackup (now merged with Macmillan) has revealed that many people over-estimate their risk of inherited cancers when someone in their family has had cancer. We’ve launched an online, interactive program which gives personalised information on a person's risk of inherited breast and ovarian cancer, and where to get further advice.

This month we also called on the Government to reform the unfair prescription charges system and signed a new exciting partnership with Royal Bank of Scotland. Our national walking event launches in May – it’s not too late to sign up! Or find out about two running events happening in the UK and how you can enter our World's Biggest Coffee Morning recipe competition.

Worried about inheriting cancer?

An image from OPERA, our online risk assessment tool for inherited cancers

Are you worried that breast or ovarian cancer runs in your family and that you might be at risk? Macmillan's online risk assessment tool, OPERA, can help you assess your inherited genetic risk and offers personalised information and support in the comfort of your own home.

Macmillan calls on Government to reform prescription charging system

We're campaigning for free prescriptions for everyone

Macmillan's research shows nearly one in ten cancer patients aged 55 and under who incur costs for prescription charges are unable to pay for their prescriptions. Some patients are forced to prioritise which medications they take because they can’t afford them all.

Prescription charges in England have recently risen by 25p, taking the charge for a single prescription item to £7.10. In Wales they have been free for the past year. Charges are also being phased out in Scotland and have been capped at £6.85 in Northern Ireland pending their own consultation. We want free prescriptions for everyone, across all four nations.

We will be campaigning to ensure no cancer patient is left unable to pay for their prescriptions. Join us in lobbying MPs for change.

RBS partnership helps deal with financial impacts of cancer

We welcomed a new partnership signed with the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to help alleviate the financial hardship amongst people affected by cancer.

RBS will be donating £500,000 a year for three years to help us broaden the current services that we provide to help people affected by cancer cope financially, including financial advisors and a telephone helpline.

Of the 1.2 million people living with cancer, 400,000 are likely to need financial guidance. Managing money is one of the many worries for people who have been diagnosed with cancer. Read more about our partnership with RBS or the financial help available from Macmillan.

Call for entries in World’s Biggest Coffee Morning recipe competition

We are launching a national competition to find the UK's best coffee morning recipe. This summer, we will be offering all the budding bakers in the UK the chance to claim a spot in the upcoming World's Biggest Coffee Morning Recipe Booklet which will launch in August. Some fantastic prizes are also up for grabs! Enter your recipe on our website.

As an added bonus, for every recipe entered Somerfield will kindly donate £1 to Macmillan to help people living with cancer.

Events

Let's take steps together - Walk Wonders

The view from our Carsington Water walking event We’re organising 10 walking events in various locations around the UK in May to help raise vital funds for people living with cancer. It’s not too late to sign up for one of our events! Or if one isn’t convenient to you, hold your own and ask friends and family to sponsor you.

Find out more on the Walk Wonders section of our website.

Join us for the Leeds 10K 'Run for All'

Two runners from last year's Leeds 10K Run for All If you're looking for a fun and uplifting running challenge in 2008 then look no further! The Leeds 10K 'Run For All' is a great event for people of all abilities, set up by the inspirational Jane Tomlinson MBE.

This is its second year, and promises to be a thrilling event and an amazing experience to be part of. Find out how to join Team Macmillan.

Run the Great South Run for Macmillan

A Team Macmillan runner goes past one of our supporter points The 2008 BUPA Great South Run, a 10-mile run in Portsmouth, promises to be another fantastic event this October. Here at Team Macmillan we understand what it takes to train for and complete a 10 mile race. That's why we'll be there for you from the start with a dedicated team providing both fundraising and training advice.

Find out how to join our Great South Run team.

The website.

For many people affected by cancer, a Macmillan nurse is one of the first things they think of. Macmillan nurses have a name as a valued and trusted source of expert information, advice and support. But not everybody knows exactly what they do or how to get one.
We’ve got a new range of spring and summer gifts and goodies for sale on our online shop. From cooking and gardening items to toys and gifts for young children, there’s something for everyone and every penny goes towards helping people living with cancer.
A whopping 808 runners braved the 26.2 mile Flora London Marathon for Macmillan – our biggest team for 12 years.