Hundreds of men diagnosed with prostate cancer will be given practical and emotional help and support thanks to a grant of £51,000 from the Freemasons to the Maggie’s charity. The grant from Cambridgeshire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
A cancer diagnosis can cause huge emotional and physical challenges that men find difficult to share with even their closest friends and family. With no-one to turn to this can lead to feelings of isolation.
As a result, Maggie’s has designed the ‘Living With and Beyond Prostate Cancer’ workshops. These tailored courses provide information and practical help on issues such post-treatment challenges, managing fatigue, relaxation techniques, weight control, nutrition, regaining physical fitness, dealing with urinary problems, sexual dysfunction and relationship issues.
The programme aims to give people relevant information and advice in a safe supportive environment to help reduce the distress and anxiety associated with cancer treatment, give back some control, and reduce feelings of loneliness.
In addition to Maggie’s Cambridge the programme is also be run at Barts (City of London), West London, Manchester, Oxford, Swansea and the Wirral.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men over 65 in the UK and, as the ageing population grows, is expected to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer overall by 2030. Survival rates have increased over the past ten years, coupled with an increase in diagnoses which means more men are living with prostate cancer for longer. As a disease more prevalent in older men, diagnosis often comes when they are undergoing other big life changes, often upsetting plans for the future.
Andrea Chupacova, Campaign Manager from Maggie’s Cambridge said: "We’re very grateful to Cambridgeshire Freemasons for their generous grant, which will help us provide much needed emotional and practical support to older men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“Men generally, and older men in particular, are usually less emotionally expressive then women and tend to need more support as a result. Our professionally led groups are specially designed to provide the care these men need.”
Tony Just from Cambridgeshire Freemasons said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Maggie’s with their hugely important programme of practical support for men with prostate cancer. As well as helping to tackle this very serious condition, we’ve also made it a priority to help older people who are lonely and isolated. Maggie’s excellent project covers both of these key priorities.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Photo 1 shows a ‘Living with and beyond Prostate Cancer’ workshop
Photo 2 shows Tony Just, Cambridgeshire Freemason, discussing the new plans for Maggie’s Cambridge with Andrea Chupacova, Campaign Manager
Photo 3 show Tony Just, Cambridgeshire Freemason, meeting with Lisa Punt, Centre Head at Maggie’s Cambridge
About Maggie’s
Maggie’s has 25 years of experience providing free cancer support and information in centres across the UK. Built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, the centres are warm and welcoming, and run by expert staff who help people live well with cancer. Maggie’s has been supporting people with cancer throughout the coronavirus crisis over the phone, email and online. This support has helped people 239,000 times during 2020. Maggie’s centres are open. This support runs alongside our ongoing phone, email and digital support. The first centre opened in Edinburgh in 1996. Maggie's now has 24 centres in the UK and a growing international network. Maggie’s is funded by voluntary donations. Maggie’s President is HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. Maggie's Chief Executive, Laura Lee was awarded a Damehood in 2019 for her services to people with cancer. For more information visit maggies.org
For further information about Maggie’s, please contact
About Cambridgeshire Freemasonry:
The Masonic Province of Cambridgeshire is relatively small, with Masonic Centres in Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket, March, Chatteris, Whittlesey and Wisbech. There are around 1500 Freemasons and 30 individual lodges. We pride ourselves on our friendliness and inclusivity, with members drawn from all walks of life and professional backgrounds. We welcome enquiries from anyone who is curious about our values and our history.
More information is available on our website and enquiries should be directed to our Provincial Office in Cambridge via https://www.cambridgeshirefreemasons.org.uk/ or to our Provincial Information Officer:
Jon Cooper, Press and Information Officer, Cambridgeshire Freemasons
Email:
Telephone: 07714 763427
About the Masonic Charitable Foundation:
The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) is one of the largest grant-making charities in the country. Funded entirely through the generosity of Freemasons and their families, the MCF awards millions of pounds each year to local and national charities that help vulnerable people, advance medical research and provide opportunities for young people. The MCF also helps to fund vital services such as hospices and air ambulances and regularly contributes to worldwide appeals for disaster relief. In total, MCF support helps to improve the lives of thousands of people every year in England, Wales and internationally. As well as providing grants to charities, the MCF supports Freemasons and their families with a financial, health or family need. Visit www.mcf.org.uk For further information about the Masonic Charitable Foundation, please contact Guy Roberts, Press Officer (