Support 100 New Breast Cancer Haven Patients

Global Giving update June 2019

We’re on the move

Breast Cancer Haven will be leaving its home of nearly 20 years in Fulham, London in September when the lease on the building expires. We are delighted to confirm that we will be moving into brand new premises in King’s Cross, central London in the Spring of 2020. This area enjoys the best transport infrastructure in Europe so we expect to be able to help greater numbers of breast cancer patients as a result of being so much more accessible. While we wait for the new building to be refurbished we will be offering our services temporarily from a building in Baron’s Court, West London.

Breast Cancer Haven gets a new CEO

After nine years at the helm Pam our CEO has left Breast Cancer Haven to pursue pastures new. During her time at BCH four new services opened around the country. Pam is replaced by Sally who has most recently been a fundraising consultant for The Priory of England and its charitable arm St John’s Ambulance. Previously she was CEO of the Wessex Cancer Trust for eight years. Over the coming months Sally will be consulting with a wide variety of stakeholders which will culminate in a new five year strategy and business plan.

Our brave visitors take to the catwalk

Following the huge success of the Blossom Fashion Show which our Breast Cancer Haven, Yorkshire team organise each year, the fundraising format has now been rolled out to all our other regional centres. Blossom puts women, and some men, who have used our breast cancer support services centre-stage. Having endured gruelling treatments and painful surgery these brave people take to the catwalk to model clothes in aid for Breast Cancer Haven before a packed audience. So far all the Blossom events have raised over $103,000.

Fundraiser completes awe-inspiring challenge in friend’s memory

On the second anniversary of his friend’s death from breast cancer, Paul successfully rowed the English Channel in her memory. An amazing fundraising effort in itself, but Paul is permanently wheelchair-bound and had never rowed before he started training for the challenge. Paul, 60, a Royal Navy veteran, suffered life-long injuries following a car accident in 1991, which was followed by a 12-year period of ‘Locked In’ syndrome. Due to the injuries to his brain, chest, spine, hips and shoulders, Paul is in pain 24/7 and needs support with simple, daily tasks. In 2014, Paul was involved in a deliberate hit and run which further aggravated his injuries.

But, despite his disabilities, Paul has dedicated his life to fundraising and refuses to let his disabilities define him. He hopes to raise around $120,000 for this brave challenge.

Brewing up for breast cancer

Our big annual fundraising campaign, The Big Tea Cosy, was a huge success yet again in March. Supporters of the charity organised tea parties the length and breadth of the country in aid of Breast Cancer Haven. The parties generated over $63,000 towards helping people affected by breast cancer. We are indebted to their amazing support.

Impact Report 2017/18

We have published our latest Impact Report which can be viewed on our website via this link. The report is packed full of visitor case studies and our achievements in delivering vital support services to people affected by breast cancer.

Emmeline’ story

“I was 33 weeks pregnant when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I noticed a swelling in my armpit and asked the midwife about it. With my family history of breast cancer, the doctors took no precautions. After some investigating they confirmed it unfortunately was cancer.

It was hard to hear that I had breast cancer, but I was adamant that I would stay focussed on Zosia. I wanted the birth to go well and to have a happy, healthy baby. I also refused to begin treatment until Zosia was born.

It was decided that I would be induced a few weeks early to give me a head start with breast cancer treatment. However Zosia was born naturally, 5 weeks early. She must have known it was time to come out so that her Mummy could start getting better. The birth was a complete success.

The first few weeks of being a mother was a whirlwind. It was a scary time, but I just got on with things. There wasn’t anything else I could do.

My family rallied around me and were a terrific support network and I begin breast cancer treatment and motherhood simultaneously. It feels like it was both a good and bad experience for breast cancer and motherhood to happen at the same time. Breast cancer is an awful thing to experience, chemotherapy being a particularly uncomfortable and demanding period. But in a way, I was so wrapped up in being a mum, I hadn’t the time to worry about myself. Zosia gave me a reason to get up every day. Her beautiful smiley face just lights me up.

Not long after diagnosis, a friend told me about Breast Cancer Haven. My head was a bit of a mess when chemotherapy began so I was delighted and relieved to discover a place that was so perfectly tailored to my needs. To make things even better, it was sitting right on my doorstep in Leeds City centre.

Breast Cancer Haven was somewhere I could go and just completely relax. Even if I popped in to have a cup of tea and a chat with somebody, it was so useful being surrounded by people that knew about what I was experiencing. Some days, my mum came along to the centre with me and Zosia whilst I was doing my therapies. She got to know everybody at the centre too. Despite what I was going through, it was always such a happy occasion when I visited Breast Cancer Haven.

I’ve now taken a step back and realised the scale of what has happened. I’ve always been strong, but motherhood and breast cancer together was a colossal undertaking. My friends have been in awe of how positive I’ve been, especially since attending Breast Cancer Haven. I’m very grateful for everything they’ve done for me.”

• Breast Cancer Haven June News Update (PDF)