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A message from Julie
Hello,
I wanted to dedicate this welcome message to Dame Deborah James, whose story I’m sure many of you have been following.
Known online as Bowelbabe, Deborah was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in 2016. From that moment on, Deborah chose to share her story with the world to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis, break down barriers and challenge taboos around cancer.
Since Deborah announced she was moving to at-home hospice care and launched the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK, there’s been an outpouring of public support and over £6.5m has been raised so far.
The Bowelbabe Fund will support causes and projects that Deborah is passionate about, like funding clinical trials and research into personalised medicine that could result in new treatments for cancer patients, including projects in collaboration with partners like The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden, and supporting campaigns to raise awareness of cancer, including Bowel Cancer UK’s Never Too Young campaign.
Her commitment to campaigning, fundraising and raising awareness of cancer has touched so many lives, and will continue to have far-reaching impact in the years to come.
In celebration of Deborah, and the many of you like her who give us so much, this month we’re recognising the huge value of our volunteers. Read on to hear about our Volunteers’ Week plans and find out how you can nominate a deserving volunteer for a Flame of Hope Award.
Look after yourself, and each other.
Julie Byard, Director of Trading
Cancer Research UK
Happy Volunteers’ Week!
1-7 June is Volunteers’ Week! It’s our time to say thanks. Throughout June we’ll be celebrating you – our volunteers – and everything you give to us.
To mark Volunteers’ Week, and Cancer Research UK’s 20th anniversary, we’ve created a ‘Wall of Reflection’, filled with favourite volunteering memories from staff and volunteers.
We hope you’ll love reading the messages of hope, inspiration and progress that you make possible. (Oh and a big thank you from Julie – there with the balloon!)
Flame of Hope Awards 2023 – who will you nominate?
These are Cancer Research UK’s annual awards that recognise the achievements of our outstanding volunteers. Our next awards ceremonies will take place early in 2023 and nominations are now open!
This year we’d love to see more nominations written for volunteers, by volunteers. So if you know a brilliant Cancer Research UK volunteer who deserves to be recognised, we want to hear about them. Here's what to do next:
- Chat to your manager about your suggested nominee
- Head to the website below for tips on writing a great nomination and all the award categories
- Make sure to get your nomination in before 15 July 2022
We can’t wait to read your entries!
What's coming up...
Cancer Revolution: Science, innovation and hope
We’re thrilled to be expert partner for the Science Museum’s ground-breaking exhibition, ‘Cancer Revolution: Science, innovation and hope’ which arrived in London on 25 May 2022. The exhibition will be open until January 2023 – you can book a free ticket to visit in London.
Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People
Our summer fundraising has begun to support Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People. For 2022 fundraising ideas, we're encouraging you to channel your inner child! If you'd like to get involved, talk to your team at the shop.
Cancer Chat
A moderated discussion forum where you can talk to others affected by cancer, share experiences and get support.
Talk to our nurses
If you've got questions about cancer, it's easy to call our nurses on freephone Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Volunteering News
Read the latest news and breakthroughs and stay up to date on all things volunteering by visiting the Volunteer Hub.