In 2019 new charity, Live Well with Cancer wanted to give a token gift to cancer patients, in local hospitals, to let people know they were thinking of them. The idea came from one of Live Well with Cancer’s own trustees. Rachel Grecian, 41, was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 39. She received chemotherapy over the Christmas period and felt very isolated. Chemotherapy is difficult at the best of times, but difficulties can be magnified during periods of festivities.
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted on us all, more so for those who are undergoing treatment. Last year Live Well with Cancer were able to host a number of workshops for volunteers to get together to create the handmade gifts, this year the charity needed to take a different approach and have been overwhelmed by the response of the local community. Craft sets were sent out to volunteers, and when those sets ran out, and the charity were unable to send anymore, volunteers bought their own materials to continue the hard work.
Over 100 people have taken time out to custom make Christmas baubles. These have all been wrapped and secured and will be given out to patients in December. Due to the unbelievable response, there will be enough baubles to give to staff, too – to acknowledge all the hard work and dedication the teams have shown patients during these most difficult times.
Live Well with Cancer hopes everyone receiving a bauble feels the love, support and friendship from all our volunteers, many of whom have faced cancer themselves.
For more information contact Maureen Elliott Founder of Live Well with Cancer livewellwithcancer@gmail.com