Macmillan Cancer Support - "We are all affected by cancer. We can all help. We are Macmillan." - Says It All!

While I wait for news on how my last operation went, and details of when the next surgery to remove most of my liver will be, I have thrown myself into work - mainly to take my mind off what is waiting for me in a few weeks time.

But I have also been spending a lot of time talking to different departments within cancer charity Macmillan, and helping to spread the word about what a fantastic job they do for patients and their families.

If you have read my novel 'Kiss From A Rose', you will know that I have a huge amount of time and respect for the nurses and general staff at Macmillan. They were a life line for us at all times of the day and night, and the support they gave my mum was invaluable. They made her feel she had a friend at the end of the phone offering practical advice and emotional support, no matter what the problem was. I'll never be able to thank them enough for how they helped us, but by sharing my story with their new members of staff, and also their business partners, such as Boots, I hope I am helping in a small way to ensure all cancer patients receive the same amount of care and support that mum and I did.

Every year, Macmillan collaborate with national radio station Smooth FM for an event called 'Starlight Supper'. They ask people to set aside an evening to host a dinner party for family and friends in aid of the charity. Guests to the dinner parties offer a charity donation at the door, and are wined and dined as they listen to music provided by Smooth FM, who offer 'shout outs' to those who call in! But as well as music, the radio station plays accounts from various patients who have had support from Macmillan and who want to share their experiences of cancer. Such a fantastic idea I think, to spend the evening with people you love, enjoying food, drink and company while raising money for such an important charity, with people in the background telling you how your money has directly helped them get through some of the darkest moments of their lives.

I was one of those voices last Saturday when this year's Starlight Supper Event took place. I hope I not only showed people how Macmillan helped me, but encouraged others to get in touch with the Charity if they are struggling with treatment, finance or one of the many other problems cancer unexpectedly presents.

The day before the 'Starlight Supper Event' I visited the Macmillan Offices to speak to representatives from cosmetic giant Boots - with which Macmillan have a partnership with. Boots work hard with the charity to help provide cancer patients with information and advice about health and beauty regimes that can help when your skin has turned 'scaley' from chemo, or has burned from radiotherapy. This is not a unique relationship I was delighted to discover while I was there, as Macmillan also work with hairdressing company Tony&Guy to help patients when their hair grows back after chemo. Often it is very curly and silky, and generally difficult to manage when very short, so Tony&Guy offer expert and specialised advice to patients who are struggling to feel comfortable with their new hair, they help them feel beautiful - no greater gift than that!

So I spoke to representatives from Boots, and 'Health & Beauty' Magazine about how Macmillan have helped me, I wanted to show them that this is a fantastic partnership that they should be enthusiastic about, and proud of. So many people turn to Macmillan for medical and financial advice, and now, with various evolving partnerships offering such vast services, patients will always have someone to turn to, no matter what the issue is. If Macmillan don't have the answer, they'll certainly know someone who does!

If you need help and advice from Macmillan, click here...