The Big Give appeal
Did you know that over 7,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year?
One of those women was my mother, actress Marjie Lawrence. We lost her in 2010 when she died of ovarian cancer, just three weeks after her diagnosis.
The latest research from the charity Target Ovarian Cancer revealed that over half the women diagnosed struggle with their mental health as a result. Despite this, there is a desperate lack of support and information available.
This is not acceptable. That’s why I am writing to you today to ask for your help.
Target Ovarian Cancer aims to look after every area of life for a woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer, including providing a nurse-led support line and group events where women can access crucial information and vital support.
The charity also produces information guides and tools to empower women with knowledge – helping them to take control of their health.
These essential tools need urgent funding. From midday on Wednesday October 11 to midday on Wednesday October 18, there’s a fantastic opportunity to raise these funds when Target Ovarian Cancer teams up with The Big Give appeal to raise up to £20,000!
Every donation made will be matched, so it will have double the impact.
Through Target Ovarian Cancer and The Big Give, more women living with ovarian cancer will be able to receive invaluable support and information – absolutely essential for the best possible outcomes.
To make a donation and have it doubled, please visit: targetovariancancer.org.uk/biggive
Sarah Greene, honorary patron at Target Ovarian Cancer and presenter on BBC1’s The Finish Line.
Energy price drop will not help terminally ill enough
Ofgem’s new energy price has come into effect. But the drop is unlikely to fill people’s pockets as bills are expected to be 13 per cent higher compared to last winter.
People living with terminal illness often struggle to stay warm because of their condition, particularly as their symptoms make them feel colder and their mobility declines.
The only option is to turn the heating up higher, and for longer. Charging and using electronic medical equipment can also be costly, and an increased schedule of washing and drying clothes all adds up.
In a poll Marie Curie previously commissioned of the Scottish public, 94 per cent were concerned about family or friends who are terminally ill being able to keep their home warm over autumn and winter, with 75 per cent stating they would struggle to pay their energy bills in autumn and winter if they were diagnosed with a terminal illness and unable to work.
Marie Curie is calling on the Scottish and UK Governments to: deliver a social tariff which supports terminally ill people’s needs through a whole-system approach, including working with energy providers; commit to increasing targeted energy support for terminally ill people in the upcoming government budgets; include terminally ill people in the eligibility for any increased support from the Warm Homes Discount this winter.
Increased costs, coupled with income loss from often having to reduce or give up work entirely because of terminal illness, create a double burden which forces terminally ill people, their families and carers below the poverty line. This is unacceptable.
Ellie Wagstaff, senior policy manager, Marie Curie Scotland.