Why we need your help

It’s no secret that the National Health Service is overstretched.  That’s why it’s not unusual for a doctor to be able to spend only 10 minutes telling a woman she has breast cancer.

Breast care nurses do their best to offer support and advice but their time is also limited.

A patient may have been told they have just months to live.  They may face the ordeal of a total or partial mastectomy.  And months of chemotherapy, then radiotherapy. Fears and questions may cloud their minds but often they are too shocked to voice these feelings at the time of diagnosis.

The medical profession recognizes that emotional support and ways of managing the side-effects of treatment are vital in helping to cope with breast cancer.  So where do these women turn?

The Haven makes a huge difference

Did you know that 550,000 people are currently living with a diagnosis of breast cancer and breast cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK?  We are the one and only breast cancer charity providing places where people can go for a free programme of in-depth support to improve their quality of life.  Specialist nurses and experts in nutrition, exercise and emotional support provide tailor-made programmes for each person that comes through our doors.

Since the first Haven opened in London in 2000, we have helped nearly 7000 women living with breast cancer, along with their families.  Every year we provide approximatley 12,000 appointments in our 3 Havens in London, Hereford and Leeds as well as a support programme online.  Over 90% of our Visitors say that the therapies they received at a Haven were essential to their recovery from breast cancer.*

You can too

You may think about death when you hear the words breast cancer.  But in reality, there’s a lot of living to do during and after treatment.  With your help, there’s so much that can realistically be done to improve the quality of that living.  The chances are that you know, or will know, somebody who has breast cancer and your support could mean so much to them.

We don’t receive any government funding so are entirely dependent on charitable donations and fundraising events to meet all our costs.  It costs around £1000 to provide the Haven programme for every person who comes through our door but our care and support make a huge difference to their lives at this difficult time.

What women with breast cancer have to say about The Haven

“My whole life turned upside down when I was told I had breast cancer.  My biggest fear was dying and not seeing my children grow up.  The counselling and complementary therapies I received at The Haven helped me to cope with the trauma of the intensive treatment and see that there is life after breast cancer.”
Marie

What their families have to say about The Haven

“I felt my own life was falling to pieces.  I was frightened of being alone without her.  The Haven helped me find a way through.”
Ben

“I thought I should tell the children, but I didn’t know how.  With the help of The Haven we all came to terms with my wife’s illness.” 
Derek

* Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing (MYCaW) study 2010, a self-report method used by leading cancer organisations.