Hello everyone,

I would just like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year.

At CancerCare, as we look forward to 2023, we have also been reflecting on what has been a huge year for the charity.

We have been the busiest we have ever been and during 2022 provided therapy for 13% more clients than our previous busiest year.

In terms of numbers, we provided more than 13,000 one-to-one therapy sessions at our centres, more than 600 group sessions and around 1,200 sessions in our local hospitals.

Of course, each one of these statistics represents a real person we have helped cope with a cancer diagnosis or come to terms with the devastating loss of a loved one and we simply couldn’t have done this without the incredible generosity of supporters such as yourselves.

Once again, whether it has been a headshave, sponsored walk or gift in a Will, we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the many, many people who give up their time and take themselves out of their comfort zone to raise money for us.

Similarly, I’d like to pay tribute to the many local businesses and grant funders who recognise the great value in our work and want to make sure we continue to be here to support their local communities.

It costs around £1.9m each year to ensure the doors at CancerCare remain open and we thank you all.

Next year will be a momentous one in the history of CancerCare as we celebrate our 40th anniversary. We will be planning a number of special events throughout the year which we’ll be keeping you updated about through our website, social media and local press.

We have come a long way from the weekly meeting at a Lancaster community centre, launched by our founder Prof McIllmurray in 1982, to today’s four dedicated centres across Morecambe Bay and we will be celebrating all we have achieved and would dearly love for you to be a part of it.

So, all that remains is for me to say “thank you” once again and wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy 2023.