Thanks to the generosity of the public so far, over 54 Macmillan nurses, doctors and occupational therapists have been funded in Suffolk. For people living with cancer, being able to speak face-to-face with a professional who understands what they’re going through and the support they need is often a real lifeline.

We may be a charity working and fundraising nationally, but we have real, valuable and important local impact. In addition to the nurses we already have in place in the local hospitals and hospices, in 2013 we started transforming cancer care in the community and introduced 3 new community nurses, support workers and bereavement counsellors and funded a new GP advisor for the Waveney area.  One of these local community nurses is based in Lowestoft and together with her support worker they work across several GP practices in the Lowestoft area to support patients who are newly diagnosed and their families. 

In 2013 we also launched a new bereavement service in Suffolk in partnership with Cruse Bereavement Care.  We’ll be funding a post that deals specifically with people facing a bereavement through cancer.

We’ve also recently recruited a new GP advisor for the Waveney area.  A GP advisor is an expert in cancer care and is well versed in new treatments and procedures.  They work with other GPs in the area to cascade this knowledge and work together to improve referral and information processes between local surgeries and the hospital ensuring long term change in the systems that support patients.

When you’re affected by cancer, having the right kind of information and support, at the right time, is essential. Our Mobile Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre tours East Anglia throughout the year, offering free, confidential information and support to people in their communities. Anyone is welcome, whether they have a cancer diagnosis, are visiting on behalf of a friend or relative, or are worried about cancer. Centres are staffed by Macmillan cancer information support specialists who offer a wide range of information and support tailored to a person’s individual needs.  The vehicle visits Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth on a regular basis.

In addition, we continue to fund the Macmillan Suffolk Benefits Advice Service.  Although their office is based in Ipswich they help people with cancer across Suffolk to gain access to benefits to help with the cost of cancer and will visit people in their own homes to complete the vast amount of paperwork if necessary.  In the past three years have helped unlock £9.5 million worth of benefits and tax credits for Suffolk residents.  They also assist patients and their families with Macmillan Grants.  In 2013 a total of £98,319 has been given to cancer patients to assist with items such as transport costs to appointments, clothing and heating costs. 

As you can see, yes we are a national charity but our services are extremely local helping the people in your community.  These services will benefit not only your staff but their family and friends as well and will leave a lasting legacy for the next generation. 

Macmillan’s ambition is to reach and improve the lives of everyone living with cancer. We can’t do it without your support.

When people support Macmillan they want to know that their donations make a difference to the lives of people affected by cancer so the below highlights the impact you could make. Any monies raised can be put towards specific projects or restricted to local areas. 

• £25,000 could pay for a Macmillan nurse for six months, helping people living with cancer and their families receive essential medical, practical and emotional support.
• £12,500 could operate our phone service for a day. In this time, our cancer support specialists could answer 329 calls and emails from people who want questions answered, need practical or financial support, or just want to chat.
• £2,578 could, on average, pay for one of our Macmillan Mobile Cancer Information Centres to visit one site (this could be for more than one day).
• £1,013 could pay for a Macmillan nurse for a week, helping people living with cancer and their families receive essential medical, practical and emotional support.
• £260 could pay for a Macmillan Grant that helps a family affected by cancer
• £27 could fund a Macmillan nurse for one hour
• Every £1 we spend on benefits advice services helps people affected by cancer claim £19 in benefits they are entitled to.

If you'd like to help raise much needed funds for Macmillan Cancer Support in Lowestoft & Waveney, please call our local fundraising manager, Mandy Jordan, on 07989 417200.