Tag Archives: cancer advocacy

Join Voice – Amplifying the Voices of Cancer Patients and Carers at St George’s Hospital

By Matthew McKenzie – Cancer Carer group

At St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, people affected by cancer are placed at the heart of everything they do. Whether you’re a patient receiving treatment, a family member, a carer, or part of a local cancer support group, your experiences and insights are invaluable in shaping the way the hospital cancer services are delivered.

That’s why Voice exists.

See link below for more details.

Voice – Cancer patients & carers user group

What is Voice?

Voice is a dedicated patient and carer group that works closely with the Cancer Team at St George’s. It provides a vital forum for sharing experiences, ideas, and suggestions that directly influence how services are planned, developed, and improved.

By joining Voice, you’ll:

  • Represent the perspectives of patients and carers.
  • Share what works well in cancer pathways and highlight areas for improvement.
  • Help identify priorities for local cancer services.
  • Be kept informed of new cancer services and projects.
  • Take part in health and wellbeing events.
  • Have the chance to help design new services or join the core group guiding the support group.

Why carers are especially needed

Carers play a unique and vital role in the cancer journey. Their insights into the challenges and realities of supporting a loved one through treatment provide perspectives that professionals and even patients themselves may not always see.

Right now, Voice is especially looking for more carers to join, ensuring their voices are fully represented in shaping services.

How to get involved

Becoming a member of Voice is free. By joining, you’ll be part of a welcoming community committed to making cancer care better for everyone.

To find out more or sign up, contact the Macmillan Information and Support Centre:

Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.

World Lung Cancer Day 2025: Honoring Unpaid Carers & Fostering Compassion

By Matthew McKenzie

On this World Lung Cancer Day (1st of August), we spotlight not only the impact of lung cancer itself, but also theose behind the scenes the unpaid family members, friends, and carers who provide unwavering love, support, and strength.

In this 8-minute video, hosted by myself from A Caring Mind, I explore:

  • The profound emotional and physical toll of caring for someone with cancer
  • The critical need for early detection, expanded research funding, and global health equity
  • The indispensable role of families and unpaid carers—whose contributions often go unrecognized

I also introduce major organizations leading the lung cancer fight:

  • European Respiratory Society (ERS) – promoting lung health through education, early diagnosis, policy advocacy, and improved treatment pathways
  • Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) – uniting global respiratory health organizations to advocate for prevention, clean air, and equitable access to care
  • Lung Cancer Foundation of America (LCFA) – funding innovative lung cancer research and amplifying the voices of patients and survivors to raise awareness and reduce stigma
  • Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) – accelerating research, supporting affected individuals, and organizing global awareness initiatives like World Lung Cancer Day

In the video I remind that behind the tragic statistic of over 1.6 million annual deaths worldwide, are stories of resilience and compassion: nights spent advocating in hospitals, hands held during chemotherapy, and hope sustained in the darkest moments.

What You Can Do:

  • Share the video to raise awareness
  • Support carers through mental health resources and recognition
  • Advocate for policies that include carers in healthcare support systems
  • Approach lung cancer conversations with empathy—not stigma

Today, we honor not just the patients, but those who stand beside them—quietly, persistently, lovingly.