Cancer Support: The Importance of Individuals and Organisations within the North of Scotland
The people of northeast Scotland have consistently demonstrated their commitment to the support of research and development of cancer treatment and aftercare at every level. Individuals are constantly raising funds for cancer research and care throughout the northeast in a variety of ways which have made and are continuing to make a major impact on cancer. In addition to these huge efforts, public campaigns for specific areas have been enthusiastically embraced and successfully completed.
Other examples include four charity initiatives within northeast Scotland which share the vision and goal of the cancer medicine research programme at the University of Aberdeen.
UCAN was launched Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.- because of the need to raise awareness of urological cancers, to make a diagnosis as early as possible, and to improve the patient’s experience of care, treatment and aftercare. They are well on their way to creating a recognized centre of excellence for the management of and research into urological cancers.
CLAN is an independent charity for anyone affected by any type of cancer at any time from diagnosis onwards. A wide range of services are available to people with cancer and their families, including accommodation within the city at CLAN Haven for those travelling from outlying areas; counselling and support services; and an advice line offering advice on such matters as availability of financial support. Based at CLAN House in Aberdeen, it covers the whole of Grampian, Orkney and Shetland.
Friends of ANCHOR is a registered charity, which raises money on behalf of the ANCHOR unit. Its support area extends throughout the north east of Scotland including Orkney and Shetland. Their vision for the charity’s future is to continue its commitment of support and cancer research funding. It will strive to ensure every patient has access to high quality information, support and the best possible treatment.
The Fraserburgh Moonlight Prowl campaign has worked for three years to raise research funds with a special focus on breast cancer. This campaign has supported many breast cancer research projects based in the northeast of Scotland and attracts support from the whole of the northern region.
In each case, the goals of the initiative are identical to those of the cancer medicine research programme at the University of Aberdeen. They demonstrate how likely would be the inclination of people throughout the northeast of Scotland to embrace the notion of a comprehensive, locally based but world class, cancer medicine research programme.
It is also likely that there is scope to learn from existing expertise. For example, UCAN has been particularly successful in attracting the support of prominent members of the business community and other local VIPs.
There is therefore, considerable scope to co-ordinate local fundraising efforts toward supporting a comprehensive programme of research and development aimed at improving management of every stage of the cancer trajectory for people in northeast Scotland.