My Story Is All About Hope!

On August 26, 2018   /   cancer awareness, cancer charities, Cancer Support, cancer survival, cancer treatment   /   24 Comments
My Story Is All About Hope!

This year has been an incredible one for me personally. As the cancer support sector in the UK continues to be dominated by the same organisations, who have little to offer other than fundraising challenges, my focus has turned to the global issues of cancer. I have travelled to places where there is a real determination to improve the lives of people affected by cancer. This despite those countries having nothing like the resources we have, but key to that is the will to improve!  My story has become a beacon throughout the world, not only for the work I do, but for the hope I give. As most of you know, my health was so poor that I was given only six months to live, and now I am

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What Exactly Is The Role Of Cancer Research UK?

On August 5, 2018   /   cancer awareness, cancer charities, Cancer Support, cancer survival, cancer treatment   /   8 Comments
What Exactly Is The Role Of Cancer Research UK?

My post last week about the charity world received so much feedback and opened up many more questions! I was directed to the below piece about Cancer Research UK, the biggest cancer charity in the UK. Despite the name I have often wondered what they do and how they work, with such an incredibly large budget. I asked around and nobody was really clear. Then I was pointed to the article from Chris Woolams which I have featured below.  “Is it just me who thinks that Cancer Research UK is really just a Pharmaceutical company hiding under the pretext of being a cancer charity; a wolf in sheep’s clothing? When we interviewed the Chief Executive a few years back and asked him his aims he answered immediately, “To get more

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It’s Still Take, Take, Take, From Many Charities!

On July 29, 2018   /   cancer awareness, cancer charities, Cancer Support, cancer survival, cancer treatment   /   30 Comments
It's Still Take, Take, Take, From Many Charities!

In the last few weeks I have found myself facing several charities with strange ideas of what collaboration means. They seem to believe it means they tell me about campaigns and I share them through my social media channels! Many of those have vast marketing teams paid very well to do that. From most, I receive little or no sharing at all and only hear from them when they want something. It is quite sad that nothing seems to have changed since I wrote the below post eighteen months ago!!  “We are so far only one month in to 2017, and I can say that in terms of my cancer work it has been an incredible start. I have frequently talked and written about the frustrating lack of collaboration in

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Work And Breast Cancer, The Uncomfortable Truth!

On July 22, 2018   /   cancer awareness, cancer charities, Cancer Support, cancer survival, cancer treatment   /   17 Comments
Work And Breast Cancer, The Uncomfortable Truth!

Unfortunately, the future of our cancer care lies with very flaky politicians, fully employed in fighting Brexit. Alongside them are giant healthcare organisations that choose the path of least resistance, attempting to find favour with the individuals in office at the time. Millions gets spent every year by charities to lobby Government for whatever is their campaign at the time. Even today, we are still asking politicians to scrap hospital parking costs! A subject that was being discussed eleven years ago when I was first diagnosed. The reality of the urgent problems is being lost, maybe this is intentional? When I was approached by Dr Dianne Dowling to share her fully researched evidence I was delighted to have the difficult facts to share. This is just a small part of the

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The Rapidly Changing Cancer World!

On July 10, 2018   /   cancer awareness, Cancer Support, cancer survival, cancer treatment   /   Leave a comment
The Rapidly Changing Cancer World!

I became ill in 2007 when I had just started to use the computer and mobile Internet was something that was more frustrating than useful! During my transplant, I spent six weeks locked away with only a lot of buffering to keep me company. How times have changed, and for the better I believe. The Internet has enabled me to do the work I do, and become a well known name in the global cancer sector. It has enabled me to connect with many clinicians, patients and charities to help share innovation and best practice. One of the most exciting things I have been able to do recently is take up an offer to visit Palestine and Jerusalem. They wanted me to talk about my work and particularly collaboration. They

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Travel Insurance From A Cancer Patient Perspective

On June 25, 2018   /   cancer, Cancer Support, cancer survival   /   12 Comments
Travel Insurance From A Cancer Patient Perspective

As a long term cancer patient myself, I have found so much discrimination against me. From banks to employers and insurance, particularly travel insurance! I used to travel for a living and it was something I wanted to continue, when I was well enough.Like everything connected with cancer, finding travel insurance is not at all straight forward. So I would like to talk about some of the things I have learned, which may help you to find clarity in this particular minefield. How do you choose your policy? Is it based on price, through a comparison website or recommendation? Do you wish to include your cancer or remove all pre-existing conditions? What a drama you might think, and I agree totally! Many of us are completely priced out of travelling

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How Much Should A Patient Be Told?

On June 10, 2018   /   cancer awareness, Cancer Support, cancer survival, cancer treatment   /   9 Comments
How Much Should A Patient Be Told?

We are very much a global community now, and the Internet has made the world a much smaller place. There are very few secrets these days, and if you really want some information, the chances are that you will be able to find it. Most advice from medical professionals is still “don’t look on the Internet.” I understand of course why that is said, as you can soon be part of ‘the worried well’ if you took to your computer every time you felt under the weather. But I am concerned what is happening now, regarding cancer treatment for complex cases in the UK.  Of course, you can only offer treatment that is at your disposal, and this is where I believe we need to change drastically, for many cancer

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This Is A Cancer Scandal Happening Daily, Why?

On May 27, 2018   /   cancer awareness, cancer charities, Cancer Support, cancer survival, cancer treatment   /   11 Comments
This Is A Cancer Scandal Happening Daily, Why?

This week I wanted to share this story written by Rohan Silva in the Evening Standard. It echoes exactly my own experiences with NHS AND giant cancer charities. There are so many people out there with incredibly innovative ideas that cost little to implement but the doors are shut in our face. Why is that when we all know how poor cancer services are in the UK. My experience is that this is much worse than what is portrayed in this article and is a scandal in the making!!  “It’s always great to come across a man — or a woman — on a mission. Michael Seres is one of those people. When he was 12 he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, an incurable bowel condition, and his health sadly

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