Blog

This week is Small Charities Week, so we thought it'd be a nice idea to celebrate with our friends at Little Lifts! This morning, Make 2nds Count Fundraising Manager, Emma, chatted to Oa, founder of Little Lifts on Instagram Live.

By way of introduction, I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer (ER+, HER2-) in February 2017. I was 43.

When you are diagnosed with secondary breast cancer you will be inundated with terminology which can be very overwhelming. This series of info posts will tell you a little bit more about each type of secondary breast cancer.HER2 Status HER2 or it's formal name of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 is a gene that can play a role in the development of breast cancer.

As part of our Giving Hope: Coronavirus Crisis Appeal, Make 2nds Count has been campaigning to raise awareness of how delays to cancer research, treatment and trials are impacting the secondary breast cancer community. Last week, Make 2nds Count trustee Lesley Stephen was interviewed by BBC Scotland reporter Joanne MacAuley, during which she explained how being accepted for the last place on a drugs trial four years ago, gave her precious time with her family she never thought was possible.

When were you diagnosed with SBC? I was diagnosed on 8th November 2018 aged 29 How were you diagnosed with SBC?

Looking back at the 29th May 2018, it's hard to believe that Make 2nds Count is 2 years old! I will never forget my husband Euan's reaction when I turned to him mid-chemotherapy in 2017 and told him that I wanted to make a change and set up a charity to fund research for secondary breast cancer.

It has been widely reported in the last week that in the UK recruitment to clinical trials for cancer including secondary breast cancer have been stopped because of Covid-19. As a result, many stage 4 patients are missing out on potentially life-saving access to drugs that could keep them alive for longer.

Make 2nds Count launches Covid-19 Hardship Fund and new community services to support secondary breast cancer patients during the crisis. Edinburgh based charity shines the spotlight on the impact of Coronavirus on secondary breast cancer patients.

The coronavirus situation has shaken us all and changed our lives in many different ways! So, we thought it'd be a good idea to sit down together (virtually) for a Tea & A Chat!

With schools and nurseries closed most children are at home and without museums, play parks, soft plays and cinemas, keeping them entertained is a tough job! Parents, we hear you and Make 2nds Count are here to help with some inspiration.

Ever since I was diagnosed with Secondary breast cancer in late 2017, and came across Lisa Fleming’s story on how Make2ndsCount was born, I knew I wanted to support the charity in some way. Many people raise awareness by opening their world to social media which I totally admire and appreciate, but that wasn’t for me, so I knew I wanted to do something else.

Media coverage over recent weeks has consistently reminded us of how important it is for those with underlying health conditions to self shield to protect themselves from covid-19. For those living with secondary breast cancer, the continuous warnings and instructions to self-isolate can lead to a feeling of hopelessness - a recurring theme over on our Seconds Together Facebook group.

The Impact of Covid-19 On Trials & Medical ResearchLast month, in the UK the NIHR Clinical Research Network announced it is pausing the site set up of any new or ongoing studies at NHS and social care sites that are not nationally prioritised COVID-19 studies. While this is of course necessary to enable the research workforce to focus on combatting the pandemic or redeployment to frontline care, the implications for secondary breast cancer patients are huge.

As a cancer patient, I feel very lucky indeed. Why would I say that?

The coronavirus has had an impact on all organisations. Charities are no exception to that!