According to Cancer Research, every two minutes someone is diagnosed with cancer in the UK. Since the 1990’s incidence rates for all cancers combined have increased by around 12%. Cancer can affect anyone, and most of us have been touched by it, know someone who has had it, or have sadly lost a loved one to it. My best friend, and former one time colleague at Wilson Browne Solicitors, Graham Hill died of skin cancer 9 years ago. He left behind four children.

View MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE (copy and paste this link)

https://www.wilsonbrowne.co.uk/news/world-cancer-day/

February 4th is World Cancer Day, a day set aside on a global basis to raise awareness and to improve education, hoping to drive personal, collective and government action. 

In 2021 John Griff & I released 'Tank Park Salute' and had a great reception... this year we are back bigger and better...  with help from 

Ian Taylor on piano 

Beccy Hurrell on flute and vocals 

The Choir from Kettering General, an NHS Hospital

Gavin Wallace was a great help with the video... and so many others have helped behind the scenes or promoted... thank you!

Imagine being in hospital for cancer treatment, and a stranger brings you a gift... an essential item of underwear or a toiletry... a book... a radio...

The Lewis Foundation has done this 75,000+ times!

Every week they source, package and hand deliver – even through Covid – free gifts and support packs to adult cancer patients in hospital. The packs include things that they might find difficult to buy, have forgotten, or run out of. Imagine how isolated they are, and how that gift is received!

I struggle to think of a more consistent example on a local scale of the kindness of strangers. A single gift costs £3.60. It is so hard to comprehend the effort needed to sustain this kindness,  this love of a stranger! 

If you know me you will perhaps know that in my spare time I am an (extremely!) amateur musician. This year we bring you a Bob Dylan Classic 'Make You Feel My Love' - all being well it will be available to stream from 4th Feb on Amazon / Spotify / Apple Music. It is our way of raising awareness for The Lewis Foundation, and hopefully some funds, as well as a tribute to those lost, those who fight, and to the memories made and yet to come. Give it a listen, please, and if you can give anything, or raise awareness that would be so special. They are doing incredible things at such a lonely time for those in hospital, providing cheer, company, distraction, kindness... and making them feel loved.

We salute them, and you, for your help.

Kevin, John, Beccy, Ian....& the NHS Choir who are:

Angela Wilson
Julie Jones
Caroline Simcoe
Dawn Vinton
Rachel Barwell Walker
Carolyn Rice
Rachel Randle
Cath Chisholm
Evie Payne
Radhika Fernandes Wilson

When we asked the choir WHY theu had taken part...they said...

‘ I’m pleased to do something in memory of my brother. He had throat cancer and died in May 2021. I remember sitting with him through chemo and having some kindness , distraction or treat in this time means more than most will know. Im thrilled to be able to contribute my voice raising funds for a charity that does just that. It’s been really uplifting bringing this song to life . Hope everyone hears that and supports the cause ‘

'For me it’s been a lifeline during Covid a connection with others, and my own family are now beginning the cancer journey it’s a privilege to help and raise awareness for such a practical worthwhile cause x'

'For me, it has been an empowering experience, in my work looking after patients with cancer I see the benefits the work of the Lewis foundation can bring. It has been wonderful to give something back.'

'Cancer charities are close to my heart as well as my mum died of cancer when I was 11 years old. I love singing with the choir, it kept me going through lockdown and it's a pleasure to meet up with everyone now. It's been great meeting new people who also work in the Trust that I otherwise most probably wouldn't have met. Such a privilege to have been asked to sing for the charity ❤️'

'My aunt and father-in-law both have had cancer.It has been a privilege to sing for this charity as I can see what a difference it makes to patients on the ward.I used to sing in a choir when I was younger but always kept putting it off to join one.The choir has helped support me through some really difficult times and I wouldn't have met such a lovely group of people. Singing in a group brings me great joy and uplifts my mood and keeps me going. xx'

'I love singing with the choir. I’m lucky that no one in my family have had cancer however I’m so proud to have been able to participate in this. Joining the choir had given me more confidence and all do you ladies are absolutely amazing. 😘xxx'

'Anyone who has experienced cancer in the family can relate to the fear, confusion, hope, despair. My hope is that one day, we can say that all cancers are treatable and curable. In the meantime supporting the Lewis Foundation in making patients feel cherished is something I'm thrilled to support.'

https://www.thelewisfoundation.co.uk/

Lee and Lorraine Lewis, founders of the Lewis Foundation explain their work in their own words:

"At The Lewis Foundation we source, package and hand deliver gift packs for free to adult cancer patients in hospitals in the Midlands and the community weekly. These are items that patients might find difficult to buy themselves or simply cannot afford – and that brings people happiness and comfort at a difficult time. For many people in hospital and the community, our volunteers are their only regular visitors. We currently provide gifts every month to 15 hospitals. People can pick a gift of their choice for free from our gift list."