Comfort Boxes provided for those in need

Cancer Card was established as a registered charity in August 2021. Cancer Card was founded by Jen Hardy, a stage 4 cancer patient herself, who understood the challenges faced by those navigating the complex world of cancer care.  

Cancer Card is an online hub, set up to provide cancer patients, as well as family and friends access to a non-medical 24/7 online support community. The charity acts as a road map linking patients, families, and organisations with connections both locally and nationally to real-life tips, support services, experiences, and interview testimonials.  

Following a pilot project in Lanarkshire, Cancer Card received a grant of £5,000 with 50% provided from each of Douglas West and Nadara Community Benefit Funds to provide free Comfort Boxes to benefit 100 cancer patients within the fund area. This project was open to people of all ages and inclusive of everyone newly diagnosed with cancer.  

“Sometimes words are not enough - thank you thank you thank you”  

When planning the content of the boxes, Cancer Card consulted through the pilot project on which items patients would find helpful and then ensured procured products were of a high quality to ensure longevity.  

Cancer Card recognises cancer can create a financial burden for those, directly affected by cancer, including family and friends. This project focused on supporting individuals from the CDG fund area and removing the financial pressure of purchasing products that could support recovery.  

The comfort boxes provide essential items including a tartan wool blanket, an NHS approved thermometer, a mobile thermal mug, note pad and pen and a book of hope – enhancing quality of life and mental and physical health and wellbeing.  The box also contains a leaflet and a Cancer Card which signposts to the online information hub for non-medial support.  

“I felt quite emotional when I opened the box and realised what it was.  What a fantastic gift and so timely as I start a few weeks of radiotherapy next week.  I am staggered by your generosity.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”  

A local leaflet drop helped promote this project within the fund area and helped raise awareness of Cancer Card and its support services.  The project has proved successful with boxes delivered to 100 patients in the fund area.

Cancer Card has recently been awarded further funding of £13,560.00 again with 50% provided from each of Douglas West and Nadara Community Benefit Funds, to distribute further free comfort boxes and to deliver staff-supported weekly drop-in sessions at venues within the CDG fund area.    

“It is so nice to know there are people out there who care very much for my welfare - sometimes I feel very lonely, but this has really cheered me up.” and “your colleagues should be proud of the joy you bring to people who are going through this awful disease, you are shining lights in an often dark place”. 

Ian Pirrie, CEO of Cancer Card says

“It was a delight to be able to help  the  Coalburn, Douglas and Glespin communities and support to those affected by cancer.  The provision of  Comfort Boxes to cancer patients was so warmly received and confirmed the benefits of providing essential items to help ease the burden on families  going through the traumatic experience.  A massive thank you to the CDG windfarm for providing the grant and a big shout out to Foundation Scotland for their help and support throughout the application and project.  Following the successful implementation we  have now been awarded a further significant grant in the area which will allow us to develop a personal touch and expand our community reach by introducing regular drop in sessions.  We are very much looking forward to having a further significant impact to all those affected by cancer in the area”