Tag: breast cancer charity

Easter boost for Make 2nds Count

Dalkeith Country Park raises funds for Edinburgh-based charity 

Breast cancer charity Make 2nds Count is set for a bumper Easter boost courtesy of Dalkeith Country Park. 

The organisation, which supports patients with secondary breast cancer, is the visitor attraction’s charity partner for 2023 and benefits from a range of fundraising initiatives through The Park’s activities and the generosity of visitors. 

Easter provides the latest chance to support the work of Make 2nds Count, which raises awareness of, and funds research into, the little-known form of incurable cancer which claims 1,000 lives each month in the UK and is currently affecting 61,000 people. 

And Dalkeith Country Park, just outside Edinburgh, has a cracking Easter calendar of events including a fashion show, Easter cookie decorating workshops and its first Duck Race. 

Fashionistas can get an exclusive preview of the Restoration Yard’s new spring and summer collection on the evening of March 30. The boutique shopping event, featuring fizz, a goody bag and styling tips straight from the catwalk, also includes a charity raffle for the Karen Henderson Charity Fund, in aid of Make 2nds Count. 

A couple of days later, April 1 sees the staging of the inaugural Duck Race when a flock of yellow birds will vie for position on the River Esk, and throughout April 2-14 kids can take part in a hands-on Easter biscuit decorating workshop. 

Then on May 4, the Inception Art Show returns to Dalkeith Palace, showcasing a curated collection of artists until May 14. This year, Dalkeith Country Park is delighted to have Anderson Strathern on board as the headline sponsor. The exciting, sales-led contemporary art exhibition launched in 2021. This year 35 modern and contemporary artists, sculptors, photographers and painters have been invited to ‘take over’ The Palace. 

As part of the 10-day programme, an online charity art auction will run in partnership with The Auction Collective creating an enticing event when buyers have the chance to bid for works from many of the Inception artists, painters & photographers, whilst supporting Make 2nds Count.  

Also known as metastatic, advanced or stage IV breast cancer, which has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body, secondary breast cancer is incurable, although it can be treated. Make 2nds Count patient champion, the late Karen Henderson, was a visitor to The Park and is fondly remembered there.   

Remko Plooij, Managing Director of Dalkeith Country Park says: “Make 2nds Count was chosen as our charity partner in recognition of the connection between Dalkeith Country Park and Karen Henderson, who was a dearly loved visitor.

“The tireless work that the charity does to support patients and families living with secondary breast cancer is outstanding, and we are thrilled to be part of their efforts for this coming year.” 

Emma Hall, Head of Operations for Make 2nds Count: “We rely so heavily on fundraising and donations and are thrilled that Dalkeith Country Park is supporting us.

“It’s wonderful that, at this special time of year, visitors to The Park can also share their fundraising ethos and help make such a difference in the lives of patients and their families.” 

Secondary breast cancer charity Make 2nds Count appoint new CEO

Chief Executive Officer Anne Gibson to elevate reputation and leverage growth

Secondary breast cancer charity Makes 2nds Count is off to a flying start in 2022 with the appointment of a dynamic Chief Executive Officer.

Accomplished in leadership roles across a range of sectors, Anne Gibson brings a wealth of Third Sector experience and will support further growth as Make 2nds Count continues to champion research and education in the field of what is often regarded as the forgotten cancer.

The disease – also known as metastatic, advanced or stage IV breast cancer – is an incurable cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. It can be treated but, on average, there are around 35,000 patients in the UK living with secondary breast cancer and the death toll here is a shocking 1000 women a month.

Anne Gibson will lead development of a three-year strategic plan to elevate the charity’s reputation as a key player in improving quality of life for patients through its research activities, supporting patients and families and enhancing awareness of the disease.

She has worked in leadership roles across local and national government, the Third Sector and the independent care and education sectors. She was an HM Inspector of Education and has worked in partnership with the Care Inspectorate and with Audit Scotland.

Her skills and expertise include organisational development, continuous improvement, quality assurance, building leadership, community engagement and participation and developing partnership. Anne currently sits on a number of Boards including a non-executive Director role with NHS 24.

Anne said: “The most important thing we can give to patients and their loved ones is hope.

“Make 2nds Count is already making a tangible difference to those living with the disease, and their families, through its inspiring support and research initiatives. However, more education, support and research is still needed and I’m delighted to be part of such a passionate team with huge aspirations to deliver that this year.”

Make 2nds Count founder Lisa Fleming, 38, of Edinburgh, says: “Having Anne on board will be transformational for us as we drive the charity forward and evolve.

“Her appointment is just the most exciting start to what we predict will be a very constructive year for us. We’ve already come so far but we look forward to achieving so much more in 2022.”

Lisa set up Make 2nds Count after discovering she had both primary and secondary breast cancer. She had had no previous breast cancer diagnosis, warning signs or lump when she was told the disease had already spread to the majority of her bones. It swiftly spread to her brain and she continues to live with the disease – knowing it is also a death sentence.

Mobile Lymphoedema Clinic continues operating thanks to cancer charity Walk the Walk

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is the latest charity working on the frontline to be awarded an Emergency Covid Grant by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk.

Earlier in the year, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care launched a new Mobile Clinic to support and treat cancer patients in Dorset with lymphoedema.

This is a painful side effect of a patient’s cancer treatment, which occurs when the body’s drainage system doesn’t work properly. It can often lead to severe swelling in the arms, legs, feet and other parts of the body, causing mobility problems, acute pain and potentially infections.

The mobile clinic is part of the hospice’s plan to bring its services closer to people’s homes, a particularly important issue for vulnerable cancer patients during the pandemic.

A £21,000 grant from Walk the Walk has meant that the mobile clinic will be able to continue for a further three months, until the end of August 2021. Support has also been shown by AFC Bournemouth, who have allocated space for the unit to park up each week in the car park at the Vitality Stadium.

Clare Gallie, Chief Executive of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care said:  “We are delighted with this support from ‘Walk the Walk’. 

“The pilot has been a great success for Lymphoedema patients over the last 2 months, bringing treatment and services closer to home and giving patients the ability to get to their appointments more easily and receive their vital treatment in a relaxed and stress-free environment.  The extended pilot will allow us to support even more people closer to their homes.

Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk said: “We are delighted that our grant awarded to Lewis-Manning Hospice Care will allow them to run an extended pilot study on their mobile Lymphoedema Support Unit for June through to August.

“During these very uncertain and worrying times, this charity’s role in providing support “Close to Home” for cancer patients in Dorset is absolutely crucial – lymphoedema can be one of the most painful side effects of cancer treatment.

Grants like these are very exciting news for Walk the Walk’s wonderful fundraisers, who have continued taking part in virtual walking events throughout the pandemic. Thanks to these fantastic people, we can continue helping to make a difference where we can, and where it is needed most.”

Amy Marks, Partnerships Manager at AFC Bournemouth said: “We are so pleased to have the mobile unit on our site as we had heard about the fantastic services that the hospice is bringing out in the community to patients, it’s a real pleasure to host every week.”

To find out more about Walk the Walk and to sign up for Virtual Challenge, go to www.walkthewalk.org