A COUNTY man is walking 1,000 miles this year to raise funds to donate a new book to people fighting cancer in Worcestershire.
The book, written by the co-founders of cancer support charity From Me to You, aims to help cancer patients feel seen and understood – as well as offer some light-hearted stories – and is being distributed by the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven to patients receiving WBUH Chemotherapy Care Packs.
Nicholas Lee from Worcester felt compelled to help get the books to people who could benefit from them after the diagnosis and subsequent loss of his friend, Sue, to cancer. He’s already raised £1,115 for the cause, which is enough to donate more than 185 books. And he won’t stop walking – or raising funds – until he meets his 1,000 mile target.
“I am so happy to be helping two great charities in one go. I’ve been a supporter of From Me to You for a long time and am one of their regular letter writers,” he said.
“To know my challenge can help the patients of the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven too is fantastic. The book really is a brilliant read. And a great resource for anyone living with cancer, as it sets out the reality of battling the disease, alongside some very light-hearted stories that will bring a smile to its readers”.
The Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven and From Me to You have been working together for a number of years, with the WBUH charity distributing From Me to You’s hand-written letters as part of their chemotherapy care packs in a bid to share connections and spread kindness and joy.
Both charities were delighted when Nicholas suggested he raise funds to help them get the book donated for WBUH’s patients.
Clare Stokes from the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven said; “Having worked with From Me to You for a few years, we have seen the impact that their letters have on our patients – giving a glimmer of joy at what can be a difficult time. So, when we knew they were releasing a book, we were keen to ensure our patients had access to it.
“We are really happy to include the book in our patient Chemo Care Packs. Even better now the copies are free thanks to Nicholas’ fund-raising.”
The book, self-titled ‘From Me, To You’, is about From Me to You’s co-founder Brian’s story of bowel cancer and the letters that fellow co-founder, Alison, wrote to him during this time.
It’s a mix of laugh out loud stories from Alison and raw, honest thoughts and feelings from Brian. It has been well received by cancer patients, with one review saying; ‘I laughed, I cried, I felt seen” and another saying “My partner has cancer. We both read the book and I want all of our family to read it, so they’ll understand how we live now’.
The partnership between From Me to You and the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven is vital to helping patients with cancer stay connected with those around them.
Research by Macmillan found 30 per cent of cancer patients feel social isolation and 25 per cent have depression, showing the lifeline From Me To You and the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven provide in ensuring people aren’t having to face cancer alone.
Visit https://justgiving.com/page/nicholas-lee-walking-1000-miles-2023 for more.
