No one
in Sussex should face
cancer alone
Sadly, every day 21 people in
Sussex hear the devastating
news they have cancer and
11 people die from the illness.
These are the facts, and the
numbers are growing: by 2030
the number of people living
with cancer in Sussex will be
enough to fill the Brighton and
Hove Amex Stadium four and
a half times. Add to that the
fact that by 2020 almost half of
Britons will get cancer in their
lifetime, and it becomes most
likely that we will all know
somebody who has a cancer
diagnosis at any given time.
There are already 164 practising
Macmillan professionals in Sussex, and
we need more if we are to adequately
support the estimated growth in
diagnosis rates. In order to fund these
invaluable services and healthcare
professionals, Macmillan Cancer
Support relies almost entirely (97%) on
donations from the general public and
local companies.
The increase in cancer diagnoses that
we predict could also result in thousands
of local people in our community feeling
isolated both during their treatment
and after it ends. At Macmillan Cancer
Support we believe that no one should
face cancer alone. We are on a mission
to ensure that nobody in Sussex feels
alone during and after their treatment for
cancer.
Sussex is currently one of the only
counties in the UK that doesn’t have a
designated cancer information centre.
This means that many people affected
by cancer in Sussex don’t have easy
access to professionals and information
that could help them deal with their
cancer diagnosis. Whether they need
information about their diagnosis,
signposting to relevant services in the
area or help with their finances, a lack
of support can leave people affected by
cancer feeling very isolated.
Macmillan Cancer Support has joined
forces with The Sussex Cancer Fund
and Brighton and Sussex University
90
Hospitals NHS Trust to raise £3.7m and
build The Sussex Macmillan Cancer
Support Centre opposite the Sussex
County Hospital. Building work is due
to commence in early 2014 and more
information about the project is available
on the www.macmillan.org.uk website
under ‘Sussex Cancer Centre’.
The Sussex Macmillan Cancer
Support Centre will be a safe, non
clinical environment, accessible to
anyone affected by cancer. It will offer
comprehensive advice and information,
support from health and social care