About Breast Cancer Haven
Each year in the UK, 44,000 women – and over 250 men – are diagnosed with breast cancer. For most of them this is very stressful and many experience anxiety and depression. This is compounded by a feeling that they do not have control of what is happening to them. Frequently they also find it difficult to cope mentally and physically with the side-effects of their medical treatment, such as nausea, pain, and extreme fatigue. Their partners and children, too, often struggle to cope with the impact of this disease.
Breast Cancer Haven is a registered charity created in 1997 with the aim of providing day centres (Havens) with a tranquil environment where anyone diagnosed with breast cancer – with their partners and children – can go for emotional support, counselling, complementary therapies and information. Our Havens offer a personalised and completely free programme of care and support that includes counselling (for Visitors and their partners and children), a wide range of complementary therapies (to alleviate side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy), information and practical advice on issues such as healthy eating and lymphoedema awareness. We work closely with the NHS and other healthcare professionals, to deliver a fully integrated programme of care where complementary and conventional medicine can work together.
Over the last ten years, Breast Cancer Haven has become recognised as one of the top four breast cancer charities in the UK, and is a member of the Breast Cancer Forum and the Complementary Cancer Care Charities Partnership.
“I don’t know if I would have got through my breast cancer without the Haven - I cannot recommend highly enough what they do.” Antoinette
Our history
In 1997 Sara Davenport founded Breast Cancer Haven. The idea for the charity came following the experience of her children’s nanny, Wendy Ricketts, who was diagnosed with the illness. Sara was concerned by the lack of emotional support and information available to people with breast cancer. Believing that “no-one should have to face breast cancer alone”, Sara sold her art business and put all of her energy into creating Breast Cancer Haven.
Despite a welcome increase in breast cancer awareness, Breast Cancer Haven remains the only charity that provides programmes of integrated healthcare specifically designed to support people through their breast cancer treatment. We provide up to date information, support and complementary therapies to people with breast cancer, and their families, who need help right now.
Our patron HRH The Prince of Wales opened the first Haven in London in 2000 and our second in Hereford four years later. Our Third Haven opened in Leeds in October 2008. We currently help over 750 Visitors a year in our Havens in London and Leeds and provide 11,200 appointments. Leeds is expected to help approximately 500 new Visitors in its first year.