Services for secondary breast cancer patients have received an unexpected boost after a surprise donation of more than £12,000.
The cash will be used to further the work of Make 2nds Count, which campaigns to raise awareness of the little-known form of the disease, support patients and their families and fund education and research into secondary breast cancer.
Also known as metastatic, advanced or stage IV breast cancer, secondary breast cancer is an incurable cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. It can be treated, but around 35,000 patients in the UK are living with the disease and the death toll here is, on average, a shocking 1,000 women each month.
This significant donation comes from Challenge Breast Cancer Scotland, which has recently decided to close its operations and wanted the funds to continue to serve secondary breast cancer patients through Make 2nds Count.
Moira Adams, Trustee of Challenge Breast Cancer Scotland, said: “It was a bittersweet moment to donate all of our funds to Make 2nds Count as we finally wind up our organisation, but we are confident that the money will be sympathetically and efficiently utilised for the benefit of breast cancer patients in Scotland.
“Our thanks must go to all our friends and supporters who have generously donated to our charity over the past 30 years. We wish Make 2nds Count every success.”
Make 2nds Count was founded by mum Lisa Fleming, 38, of Edinburgh, who had no previous breast cancer diagnosis, warning signs or lump when she was told she had primary and secondary breast cancer.
Her aim is to support patients and families, educate and raise funds for research into the disease. So far her charity has raised more than £1million.
Lisa said: “While we’re incredibly sad to see the end of Challenge Breast Cancer Scotland, we’re happy to carry the torch on their behalf and to continue the great work being done to support people diagnosed with this form of the disease.
“Our lifeline comes from donations and we are committed to doing everything we can to raise awareness, fund research and improve the lives of those living with secondary breast cancer.
“This is an important and much-needed boost for our work.”