MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT
In December last year announced that Macmillan Cancer Support was nominated by the employees of Pavers Shoes, Jones Bootmaker and Herring, as the first-ever Charity of the Year, since the launch of the Pavers Foundation in 2018.
In December 2018, Pavers Foundation donated an astonishing £62,500 to Macmillan Cancer Support. We were overjoyed to hear that this donation will fund a local Macmillan nurse for one year, or around 2,232 Macmillan nursing hours, helping people just like Kate.
Kate was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 30, her Macmillan nurse, Vikki, was there to support her all the way; providing medical advice and also emotional support for when things got too much.
"My Macmillan nurse Vikki stopped me from spiralling into despair. She caught me before I got there.” Kate.
Macmillan nurses provide invaluable medical and emotional support for patients and their families. They go far beyond what the NHS can afford to provide as they support the whole holistic needs of a patient not just their medical needs. They treat the whole person including focusing on their health and wellbeing and helping with self-esteem issues.
WHAT MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT DO TODAY
Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the largest British charities, providing specialist healthcare, financial support and information supporting both cancer patients and those directly affected including carers and family members. There are over 200 different types of cancer, each affecting individuals in communities throughout the UK, each needing individual treatment.
It is now believed that an astonishing 1 in 2 people in the UK will now be directly affected by cancer. Macmillan works tirelessly to provide individual and invaluable support, through the dedication and hard work of professionals such as the Macmillan nurses, people living with cancer are now living a longer and leading a fulfilled life.
THE HISTORY OF THE MACMILLAN NURSE
Macmillan Cancer Support was born in 1911 under the name of The Society for the Prevention and Relief of Cancer; established by Douglas Macmillan who was determined to improve the quality of life of cancer patients after the passing of his father to cancer.
By 1932 the society had funded two paid home visitors using a Society bicycle, they gave medical assistance and supplied clothing and clean bedding to cancer patients. In 1977 nurses of the Society were named ‘Macmillan Nurses’ for the first time, as such they began to develop a funding model alongside the NHS to create a wider impact on Cancer services throughout the UK.
As of October 2017 there were 4,555 Macmillan nurses across the UK posted in hospitals and the community, assessing complex needs in varying specialisms which include chemotherapy, breast cancer, paediatric, palliative care. Each playing a vital role and providing amazing support to individuals and their families starting from the unimaginable diagnosis and throughout their journeys.
We are very proud of all of our Pavers colleagues whose vote has proved to play an important part of the Macmillan story and will improve the lives of hundreds in communities throughout the UK.