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Firstly, apologies for the delayed arrival of this newsletter. The Fund has had its busiest year (2017); supporting more people, and working in partnership with an ever growing number of partners to tackle the worst effects of pancreatic cancer. Considering we are still a totally family-run charity, our workload and impact has been phenomenal.
This newsletter has two important sections; the first is to update you on our news, plans and achievements, and the second is to record and pay tribute to the amazing work of our fundraisers.
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Save the Date - The Elizabeth Coteman Fund Quiz now 10 November 2018
More details to follow later this year
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Psychological Support
2017 saw the Fund providing crucial leadership on this issue. With key partners, including Macmillan and Maggie's, we have been lobbying NHS Trusts and commissioners on the need to improve emotional wellbeing services for people with a cancer diagnosis.
This led to widespread coverage of the issue on regional TV and radio, as well as social media, and has resulted in a direct response from those delivering and paying for NHS services. We are now confident of a more integrated service being delivered to those diagnosed with cancer, and their families from now on.
In the short term there will be more cooperation between the leading charitable organisations on service provision, as well as, greater joint working with NHS practitioners. In the longer term we expect comprehensive services to be 'mainstreamed' through the NHS.
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Record Number of Grants Made
In 2017, thousands of pounds were given to support individuals and families faced with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. We have also funded voluntary groups who support pancreatic cancer patients and carers. This increase in funding comes on the back of two important initiatives.
Firstly, our networks in the North East of England have enabled us to make our first grants in the Region. More than £10,000 (and counting) has been raised by our local activist, Jen Patterson, and these funds are beginning to find their way to individuals and families in need. Secondly, we have agreed a major new national partnership with Macmillan Cancer to establish a hardship fund, which will support struggling families coming to terms with a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
Most of our grants are aimed at meeting vital household requirements, where the onset of pancreatic cancer has led to loss of income, for new clothing where massive weight loss has led to a need for new and warmer items, and for respite breaks, to allow husband and wife, and sometimes children, to have one last, memorable weekend together.
Our grants programme is streamlined to ensure a ready response to requests for help, whist ensuring that a robust process is in place for governance purposes.
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New Partnership
One of our most exciting partnership ventures during the year was to agree joint working with the Cambridge-based charity, Something to Look Forward To.
The charity promotes the well-being, and seeks to reduce the stress, of those who experiencing the effects of cancer, and their families, by offering a comprehensive range of free gifts donated by companies and individuals. A truly wonderful concept.
Gifts include respite breaks in holiday cottages, restaurant meals, a day at the races, hotel stays, theatre tickets, beauty treatments, and many more. The Elizabeth Coteman Fund is making funds available to the charity specifically for pancreatic cancer patients and their families.
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Milestone as First North East Grant Is Made
Referred to elsewhere, our first ever grant in the north east of England was made during 2017, and follows several years' of fundraising by our local champion, Jen Patterson. The following message sums up the feeling:
Hi Gerald, My first day back to work today after a couple of day's annual leave. I'm pleased to confirm that the funds have been received and our patient was able to put these towards a new washing machine, fridge freezer and cooker which will be delivered to his new flat tomorrow - fantastic news!! Thank you for being so helpful, this will make a huge difference to this gentleman's well-being.
He is very much improved and looking forward to his new start, thank you again for your support, it was very gratefully received.
Kind Regards, Julie Fletcher, Social Worker, Teesside Hospice Care Foundation
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The Fund's Involvement in Research
We have supported pancreatic cancer research from the inception of the charity. We do this in two distinct ways. Firstly, we support recruitment to key clinical trials, with awareness raising and via direct funding of patients' expenses.
Secondly, we provide a patient and carer voice as research trials are established and as drug breakthroughs are made. The Elizabeth Coteman Fund is the only specialist pancreatic cancer charity to hold membership of the Cambridge Pancreatic Cancer Centre team and have access to the development of research programmes at the Centre.
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Please Support Our 2018 London Marathon Runner!
We are delighted to announce that The Elizabeth Coteman Fund secured a first time ballot place for the 2018 London Marathon. Sam Garnham will run for the Fund on 22 April.
Sam is part of the Pipe family from Ipswich who have been raising huge sums of money for us since they lost husband and dad, Steve, to pancreatic cancer in early 2015. We have been in touch with the family since that time. You can support Sam, and the Fund, by donating on her Virgin Giving page
Although this is the first time we have secured a ballot place, Zoe Luscombe used her place in the 2017 event to raise an amazing £844 for the Fund. Thank you Zoe!!
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Open Access Support Group
The NHS, together with Maggie's, has established a regular support group for those with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and their families. The sessions, which are held on the first Friday of each month at the Maggie's Centre on the Addenbrooke's Hospital site, offer a quiet, comfortable and supportive surroundings, the chance to meet other people facing the same challenges, and special sessions and information on key topics, such dietary matters and clinical trials.
Sessions are from 1030am -1200pm.
Reduced cost car parking is available for attendees. The Elizabeth Coteman Fund offers help with transport.
To attend the sessions contact Maggie's on 01223 249220 or visit their website. Maggie's also offers a range of other services including stress reduction, self-help groups, therapies and other classes and courses that complement clinical treatments.
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Emotional Support, Befriending and Advocacy Services
Our work supporting patients and their families has grown; we have seen more referrals and more joint working with other cancer charities to provide information, reassurance, liaison and advocacy on clinical issues - and just simply being there for people. Feedback from those who have received support from The Elizabeth Coteman Fund is incredibly positive.
The awful statistics around pancreatic cancer often mean that there is just a short window of opportunity for us make support available to families battling with this disease. Our support, in many cases, continues beyond bereavement.
This area of our work is undoubtedly the most important. We cannot change a diagnosis or a prognosis, but we can provide friendship and share our experiences - those we have as a family, and those that we gain through our work. We now know, through feedback, that we make a huge difference.
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Having An Impact - message from a grant recipient
Good evening Gerald
We received some money from you last year to pay for a holiday for myself, Steve and our children. Unfortunately we found out that Steve had mets to his liver and peritoneum a few weeks ago, and he died on Thursday.
I am in the process of making arrangements and would very much like donations to come to you. Would you be able to send me details of how we donate to you please?
The holiday we went on was amazing and we created everlasting memories of my wonderful husband and my children's father. I would like to give something back to you and hope that others can enjoy the same.
Many thanks
Philippa
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In this edition we are highlighting a young student who lost his
Dad to pancreatic cancer.
As part of his Community Excellence Ribbon, Charlie Elford evidenced the support he had been able to give to his family, and how they had supported one another.
"Since I lost my Dad on the 22nd May 2014 to pancreatic cancer, my family and I have been supporting each other throughout the tough times that we have encountered in the past 3 years. I feel that I have supported my mum as she has struggled in the years trying to raise two children by herself, as well as my family also supporting me. This has had a devastating blow on all of our lives, but we have supported each other to keep pushing on in life.
Without supporting each other, we would find it very difficult to find the happier things in life and we wouldn't have the determination to do anything such as going to work or going to school. Our social parts of our lives would also be affected, as we would most likely just shut ourselves away from other people (e.g. friends and relatives). With the support that we have given each other, I feel that this can be used as evidence towards the community ribbon for supporting one another."
Charlie received full honours for his Community Ribbon Project. He is pictured below, right, at his graduation, with Mum Teresa, and brother Thomas. Dad, Chris Elford, is pictured left.
The Elford family were supported by The Elizabeth Coteman Fund when Chris was receiving treatment at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.
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Fundraising and Donation Highlights
Where would we be without all of the fantastic fundraising support we receive, without you the work we do just wouldn't be possible; so a very big THANK YOU from us all. Below are highlights from some of our wonderful supporters and generous donors.........
Click on the links below to read more about their stories.
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Providing Friendship and Emotional Support
A central focus for the Fund is to provide support for patients and families trying to cope with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. We receive self-referrals, and some from health professionals and cancer support groups. Often what is most valuable is the deep insight we have into this disease. On a practical level this can help guide people through the NHS, deal with communications issues, or ensure that available benefits are claimed.
At an emotional level we are able to share our experiences with patients, and loved ones as they learn to live with what is happening to them. This may involve supporting them at clinic appointments, chatting over a cup of tea, picking up the phone to see if they are alright, or simply texting to keep in touch. And, when some of them lose their battle, we can be there to give understanding and support to those who must cope with that loss.
From feedback we know that our support is greatly valued by many people.
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