Colchester Hospital are offering breast cancer patients a vital “littlelift”
They are being given comfort boxes
Breast cancer patients at Colchester Hospital are being given comfort boxes to help them manage the difficult side effects while boosting their wellbeing.
The Norfolk based charity 'littlelifts' has been working closely with East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust to offer boxes to Ipswich patients since 2018 and have now extended the initiative to Colchester.
Boxes include a soft toothbrush, lolly recipes and moulds as chemotherapy can leave mouths sore and painful, as well as a water bottle and heat pack.
Each box is packed by hand by littlelifts volunteers, and also includes eco-friendly and locally-sourced treats such as herbal teas, chocolate and sweets, along with a notebook and pen.
littlelifts was launched in 2017 by founder Oa Hackett, who at aged 28 was diagnosed with primary breast cancer.
The support network of friends and family helped her along the way, many of whom lifted her down days with little treats to relieve some of the side effects she experienced.
The impact of the small tokens on Oa’s wellbeing was huge, and so the concept of ‘littlelifts’ was born.
littlelifts founder Oa Hackett, who set up the charity after being diagnosed with breast cancer when she was just 28, said:
“Since we launched in 2017, we’ve seen a very real and tangible impact on how our littlelifts boxes have supported and emotionally boosted women and men going through treatment.
“Breast cancer treatment can be gruelling both physically and mentally; during these difficult times, our littlelifts boxes are making a huge difference. Recipients tell us that the sense of solidarity and kindness they experience is equally valuable – and right now, kindness matters.
“We’d be delighted to receive donations or hear from potential sponsors, but we also appreciate that times are tough for many. So we’d just be overjoyed if people would consider choosing littlelifts for their fundraising idea.”
Tracy Cruttenden, Macmillan advanced radiotherapy practitioner at Colchester Hospital, said:
“We are really proud to be a part of the littlelifts community and are excited to give these lovely boxes to our breast cancer patients.
“It is such a lovely gesture to give a collection of thoughtful treats, and is like giving a hug in a box to help boost them through their treatment.
“We’ve had a hugely positive response from patients who have received the boxes so far and it can be hard to put into words what we see when we give them out. We are delighted to be working with Oa and her team to extend this wonderful initiative to Colchester Hospital and have great admiration for everything that littlelifts are doing.”
They have now launched an appeal to raise £5,000 so they can gift packages to a further 100 patients who are receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy at the Turner Road site.
To support littlelifts you can donate here.