June 2008

This month we highlighted the effects caring for someone with cancer can have on the emotional and physical well being of carers, and how we support carers in a variety of ways. We also revealed that the increasing number of grants we issue are used to help cancer patients pay their rising fuel bills.

If you want to get involved to help people living with cancer, why not take part in The Big Picnic in July, or the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in September? Or, if you’re a Nationwide member, find out how you can help make two new information and support services a reality – without spending a penny.

Carers can’t afford to be ill

Carers across the country – who tirelessly devote their time, effort and energy to looking after a loved one – could be putting their own health at risk by ignoring symptoms or not finding the time to visit their own GP for help and advice. A new UK-wide survey, launched earlier this month as part of Carers Week, highlighted the effects caring can have on the emotional and physical well being of carers.

Supporting carers is an important and growing part of Macmillan's work. We support people caring for someone with cancer in a number of ways. For example, through the Macmillan CancerLine and Benefits Helpline, through a network of befriending and carer support services, and also through our information and support centres all located across the UK.

Cancer patients turn to Macmillan to help pay spiralling fuel costs

Macmillan grants are increasingly being used to help pay for cancer patients’ fuel bills. In Scotland alone, in 2007 Macmillan issued more than £1.5m in grants to 4021 people in need, an increase of 600 people from the previous year. Of these requests, 2021 were for help with increasing fuel costs. With gas and electricity suppliers announcing price rises and fuel costs having risen a further 25% since last year, life for a cancer patient is becoming much more difficult. Read the news story on our website.

Our grants help people affected by cancer in a number of ways, from paying for fuel bills and travel costs, to those that help improve the quality of life for a cancer patient such as a much needed short break, clothing, reclining chairs or stair lifts. Find out more in our Financial help section.

Nationwide members can help Macmillan with a simple vote

At one of our cancer support and information centres

If you’re a Nationwide Building Society member, you can help Macmillan simply by voting at their Annual General Meeting (AGM). Nationwide are contributing 20 pence per vote cast to Macmillan in the run up to its AGM and are aiming to raise £250,000. Over 7.5 million Nationwide members qualify to vote this year and can vote by post, at any branch, online at www.nationwide.co.uk or at the AGM itself on the 16 July. So if you or any of your friends or family bank with Nationwide, please encourage them to vote now at www.nationwide.co.uk

The money raised will be used to fund two cancer information and support centres which will offer consultation and alternative therapy rooms and a full-time information officer. Find out more on our website.

Events

Celebrate the summer with The Big Picnic

Summer is finally here and we’re days away from launching our big national event, The Big Picnic, supported by Somerfield.

It's simple – all you have to do is pick a date between 1-15 July, decide where to hold your picnic and invite your friends and family along. We’ll give you lots of ideas to help make your picnic a success.

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is back

Having a coffee morning at work This year sees our 18th World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on 26 September. It's as easy as putting the kettle on! Simply get friends, family or colleagues together, at home, at work, at school, at a parent and toddler group – anywhere you like, and ask them to make a donation for the coffee they drink and the cake they eat. What could be easier?

Everything you need to know is at www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee

Push yourself to the limit on our Kilimanjaro Hiking Challenge 2009

A group of hikers from our Kilimanjaro Hiking Challenge If you're looking to push yourself to your limits, come with us on our toughest trek yet to conquer the greatest mountain in Africa, the sky-high Mount Kilimanjaro. By joining us, you will be helping to provide immediate practical, emotional, medical and financial support that will change the lives of people living with cancer in the UK today.

Find out more on www.macmillan.org.uk/kilimanjaro

The website.

Having cancer can be expensive in ways you wouldn't expect, such as the cost of prescriptions, a special diet, child care or travel to hospital. However, there are ways to ease the financial worries.
We have a great range of animated charity eCards to help you brighten the day of someone special! What’s more, when you make a donation for sending our eCards, you're also supporting people affected by cancer. Send an eCard now.
Macmillan relies on the generosity of the general public to fund our services. Gifts in Wills make up over a third of our income - we simply couldn't do what we do without them. Find out more about leaving a legacy to Macmillan.