Macmillan Cancer Support (in Dorset)

Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. One in three of us will get cancer. We are all affected by it, and we can all do something to help.

Throughout Dorset, Macmillan Cancer Support helps countless local people affected by cancer. They are a source of support, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support.

Macmillan in Dorset needs hundreds of thousands of pounds this year to continue to help improve the lives of people living with cancer.

They cannot do it without our help.

All of the profits from this ball are going to MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT for Dorset. Maybe you have had experience their support yourselves or know someone that has. April, co-organiser of the ball, has unfortunately had the experience of Macmillan care first hand, not once, but twice in two years. Here is her story.

“My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998, she had a mastectomy and regular check ups, and was in the clear. Unfortunately in 2003 the cancer returned as secondary bone cancer in her spine, neck and skull. At Poole General she received radiotherapy and chemo. Unfortunately the cancer kept spreading and eventually it was all down her spine and this caused her to become paralysed from the chest down. The hospital did all they could, and after her treatment she returned home.

We were put in touch with Macmillan as we needed special equipment ie. hoists, bed, wheelchair etc. Macmillan sorted it all out for us, they made twice daily visits to help us wash mum etc, they would massage her and make her as comfy as possible.

Unfortunately it got too much for my dad and as my second child was only a few weeks old I couldn’t be there to help as much as I wanted to and the nights were especially tough on my dad. I called our Macmillan support lady who came straight round, and suggested that mum went to the Macmillan unit at Christchurch for some respite.

She was in a lot of pain and so they wanted to monitor her closely. They were so supportive to all of us every step of the way and explained everything to us.

Unfortunately my Mum never came out of Macmillan unit and passed away in November 2003. If it wasn’t for the support of all the Macmillan nurses I don’t know how we would have coped. I am pleased she was there in her last few months; they made her as comfortable as they could, and made sure that my Dad, me and my sister were ok too.

Unfortunately I didn’t realise at the time that we would be relying on Macmillan again very soon. This was when my friend Kim was diagnosed with Lung cancer in August 2004 (ps. she didn’t smoke).

She underwent Chemo in hospital, then after her treatment she returned home. Kim lost all her hair; she had beautiful dark brown shiny hair which she always straightened and fussed with every day. It was her ‘thing’ if you like. So when she lost it she was really upset but Macmillan was there for her. They sorted out a wig for her and made regular home visits, giving massages and were also going to fund some holistic treatment for her (such as Reiki). Unfortunately she never needed this as she passed away on Mothers Day in March 2005. Macmillan were very supportive to her family, especially her Husband Mark (they had only been married for 5 Months) and Kim’s son who was only 6 yrs old at the time. They arranged counselling for them, and held their hands till they were ready to live again. I know that Mark and Ben benefited greatly from Macmillan.”

As you have read, April’s story is very touching and you can see how Macmillan played an important part in both April’s mums and Kim’s lives. Its events like our Wedding Dress Ball that keeps money coming into to Macmillan. Macmillan is working with the NHS and other partners by providing the initial funding for new services to improve the lives of people living with cancer.

They need hundreds of thousands of pounds in Dorset this year to ensure they can pay for the following Macmillan professionals:-

• Two Macmillan clinical nurse specialists
• Two Macmillan GP facilitators working to promote cancer awareness and education,
• A Macmillan oncologist physiotherapist helping people maintain quality of life,
• A Macmillan oncology social worker, working with patients and families,
• A Macmillan oncology dietician
• Two Macmillan welfare benefits advisers, working as a job share.

All of these Macmillan professionals with play a significant role in improving the lives of people with cancer. Macmillan relies on voluntary donations for 99% of its income. Let’s make the percentage we send from monies made on this ball worthwhile!

If you can’t come, click here to see how you can make a donation instead.