Blog
A teenager who overcame two cancer diagnoses and has been in remission for two years shares her hope for the future of cancer research.
Eilidh Mackay, 19, from South Ayrshire, an ambassador for UK charity Worldwide Cancer Research, spoke of her gratitude to the researchers dedicated to improving the lives of those living with cancer, highlighting the positive role research has played in both her treatment and outcome.
The charity, which works with research teams across the world to start new cancer cures, encouraged people to join them at the ‘starting line’ in a bid to highlight how discovery research can kick-start the life-saving advances of the future – with former world champion Liz McColgan lending her support.
Worldwide Cancer Research has funded over £200m of pioneering discovery research in over 30 countries to help with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
The charity is currently funding 70 active research projects – charting numerous breakthroughs, including research that resulted in a clinical trial that will aim to repurpose a psychiatric drug available on the NHS as a preventative treatment for bowel cancer.
Eilidh was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in June 2016, aged just 14, after experiencing lung pain and cramps in her legs, and then in February 2019, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Although now in remission, Eilidh’s reaction to her intense course of chemotherapy resulted in her having to be put in a sedated coma for two months with emergency surgery on her gut.
Unable to do anything other than blink when she came out of the coma, Eilidh has had to relearn how to do everything. Her rehabilitation and determination enabled her to walk unaided in 2019 – the same year successful surgery went ahead to remove the tumour from her thyroid.
Graduating from college this year, Eilidh is an early years practitioner, working with children with additional support needs – and hopes to become a teacher in the future.
Speaking of the importance of research, Eilidh said:
“I hope that one day, no one will have to go through the heart-breaking cancer diagnosis I have experienced. I personally feel cancer has control over us, but funding this important research worldwide will help us take back control.
“We have come so far in terms of cancer research and cures, with advances in technology to help diagnose cancer and kinder treatments. Most importantly those who receive a devastating diagnosis could have the hope of living longer thanks to the knowledge we now have.
“This proves the funding which is generously donated to help progress breakthrough cancer research is working, and I personally am hugely grateful that the understanding of how to treat my cancer was there when I was diagnosed.
“Cancer has definitely changed my life in both good and bad ways. I have a new perspective on life and am so much more grateful for everything around me. But I know others haven’t been as fortunate as me, which is why I’m determined to raise awareness of the importance of research, particularly the incredible discovery research funded by Worldwide Cancer Research that will get us to the finish line. Without that important start, there can be no end.”
Former world champion Liz McColgan said:
“A strong start is the foundation of success in athletics, and the same can be said of the research. I’m delighted to be able to join Worldwide Cancer Research at the starting line, to help raise awareness of how that important first stage of the research journey can lead to incredible, life-saving advances.”
Dr Helen Rippon, Chief Executive, Worldwide Cancer Research said:
“Eilidh is an inspiration and we’re indebted to her for sharing her story in a bid to highlight the vital role research plays in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
“At Worldwide Cancer Research, our focus is funding the first steps to discovering something entirely new about cancer, to create the foundation for future tests and treatments.
“With the average cancer research project taking around 20 years to be realised, we’re resolute in our aim of making discoveries that will boost the research pipeline and provide hope for the millions affected by cancer, both now and in the future.”
For more information about Worldwide Cancer Research, please visit: www.worldwidecancerresearch.org
charitytoday.co.uk | 28 September 2021
OVER half of people (52%) aged 50 and over waiting for an operation report being in pain every day, according to new research from older people’s charity, Independent Age.
In their new report ‘Patiently Waiting’ launched today, the charity found that almost 1 in 3 people (36%) over 65 have been waiting more than 12 months for a planned surgical procedure, such as a hip or knee replacement.
With the number of people on NHS waiting lists now at a record high of 5.61 million, this new report also found that many people in later life were deteriorating rapidly as they waited for surgery. In addition to regular pain, over half (55%) said they struggled with day to day activities.
Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age, said:
“We recognise the NHS has been under huge pressure due to Covid-19 and their staff have gone above and beyond to support those with the virus and to keep routine services running. However, we now have the longest backlogs on record and a significant number of people over 65 are caught up in them.
“Many older people are living in daily pain and experiencing declining mental and physical health. We’ve heard from people who are struggling with day-to-day tasks like preparing food, brushing their teeth or going for walks. Their wait for surgery is negatively affecting their mood and wellbeing, and many have told us they feel frustrated and forgotten.
“Reducing the record numbers of people waiting for surgery must remain a priority for the government, but it should also do more to stop those already waiting from deteriorating further.
“We welcome the funding commitment by the government to tackle the elective backlog, however, it will still take several years for the NHS to recover. This inevitably means long waits for thousands of older people, and there is still a lack of detail on plans to ensure those still waiting maintain a good quality of life. We need an urgent plan to address this.”
The importance of communication
When interviewed, older people spoke about how the uncertainty, poor communications and lack of support had made their lives ‘excruciating’, ‘intolerable’ and ‘lonely’.
Even though 71% reported pain at some point while on a waiting list:
- 47% said they have not been provided or offered any help from the NHS to help manage their condition, or the pain relating to it, while they wait. For those that did, the most common support was prescription or over the counter medication
- Only 15% received information on how to manage the pain and symptoms
- 41% describe the communications received from the hospital or clinician as poor
When asked about what type of support or communication would improve their experience, 33% said having one point of contact, and 24% wanted more information on pain management.
Anne from London said:
“I was on the emergency list for hip replacement surgery. This was cancelled on two occasions, which I understood as the NHS was under awful pressure with Covid.
“My quality of life deteriorated while waiting for surgery. I was struggling to do any exercise, even walking. My other hip which I had replaced 10 years ago also suffered during this time as it was compensating for my bad hip.
“While I understood the reasons for my surgery being cancelled, I found the poor, and in some cases, lack of communication incredibly frustrating. I had one very stressful morning being transferred from department to department trying to find out why one of my appointments was cancelled mere hours before it was due to start. It’s the not knowing that makes you anxious.”
Private Healthcare
Long waiting times have led people to consider financing surgery themselves. 31% of those surveyed said they considered private healthcare, and since the start of the pandemic, 18% have paid for some form of private healthcare. Using savings was the most common method of financing treatment (54%), followed by income or pension (20%), health insurance (15%), friends or family (8%), and loan or mortgage (5%).
Patiently Waiting
Independent Age has launched their new report ‘Patiently Waiting’ to provide a comprehensive analysis of the experiences of older people waiting for elective surgery. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the NHS to put most non-urgent procedures on hold, leading to record waiting list numbers. As more hospitals increase the number of elective surgeries they perform, the charity has made a series of recommendations that will reduce the record backlog of surgery, and improve the experience for people while they wait.
Independent Age’s recommendations include:
- For the Government to fund surgical hubs in each local area targeting high-volume procedures such as knee and hip replacements.
- For the NHS to implement a personalised care and management plan for all people waiting six months or longer for treatment.
Deborah Alsina continued:
“To improve the experiences of those waiting for surgery, there needs to be sustained funding in community healthcare like physiotherapists and occupational therapists, as well as hospitals. The NHS also needs to introduce personalised care management plans for all patients waiting 6 months or longer for treatment. This will enable people in later life to live with dignity as they wait for their operations.”
The charity’s findings will feature as part of Panorama’s NHS; Wait or Pay on BBC1.
charitytoday.co.uk | 27 September 2021
KENT charity Hospice in the Weald, a provider of free Hospice care for this community for the last 40 years, has announced that they will be progressing plans to launch a brand-new Children’s service later this year.
The service will care for children with life-limiting conditions of all ages from 0-18 by providing treatment, appointments, pastoral care and activities, based within the comfort of the child’s home.
There is currently very limited provision for children’s services of this kind across the whole of Kent and Sussex, despite the number of children with life-limiting conditions rising, and their life expectancy also rising, meaning there is a huge demand for such support, which many only find in London and beyond.
In 201o, adding together Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge & Malling, Sevenoaks, Maidstone and Wealden, the total number of children and young people in need of Hospice care would appear to be about 398. Today the number is estimated to be 1415, a multiple increase of 3.5, with population growth in the area projected for the next 10 years.
This population growth, combined with medical developments which increase the life expectancies for many of these children, means the need for Hospice care will only continue to grow.
Hospice in the Weald Chief Executive, Nick Farthing commented:
“We have cared for the adult population in the local area for more than 40 years, and now is the time to extend this outstanding care to families with children and young people who need our support. The care we provide for children is likely to look different to that we provide for adults; typically, we care for adults in the last year of life, but we are likely to care for children for much longer periods.
“At present, some of our most vulnerable children across Kent & Sussex have to travel long distances to London for care that simply isn’t available in our area. Our new children’s service will change this – reducing stress by providing free, at-home care for children with life-limiting conditions, where they can remain surrounded by their favourite people and comforts, rather than in a strange hospital bed for as long as they need.”
Hospice in the Weald will be running engagement sessions across the community in November to hear from local families who will need this Service. For more information, please visit: hospiceintheweald.org.uk.
charitytoday.co.uk | 9 September 2021