Make 2nds Count

Our Tea & Chat support groups are a regular space for people living with secondary breast cancer to connect, share and forge important friendships. We now have 17 regional groups across the UK, and our monthly online group, with plans to open more this year. Huge thanks to Herefordshire Community Foundation for continuing to fund our Tea & Chat group in Hereford in 2025, with a recent grant of £1,232. The group is run by patient Su and the group was set up in November 2022. "The Tea and Chat group has been invaluable to me since being diagnosed. As a group we support each other, share experiences and generally have a chat and more often than not, a giggle over a cuppa. Being with people who understand, even though our treatments vary, makes us realise we're not alone. We share our worries, hopes and fears in a safe space and laugh at things in our lives which others might not quite get! Everyone feels a bit brighter after our monthly get together and we're really grateful for the financial support we get to enable the group to continue." Find out more about our Tea & Chat initiative: https://lnkd.in/ghv6RD3n

Thank you to Rt. Hon. Ian Murray and Kirsty McNeill MP for inviting Make 2nds Count to a wonderful Burns event last night. A great opportunity to meet other charities and share about the work we are doing in the secondary breast cancer community. We are looking forward to working further with the Scotland Office to raise more awareness with decision makers in 2025.

LI connections please share with relevant HCPs colleagues. At Make 2nds Count we've talked, and continue, to listen to #secondarybreastcancer patients to understand the barriers they've faced in accessing a clinical trial. We are now listening to HCPs on the same topic. If you are, or know, breast care nurses , oncologists or researchers in Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Cardiff, please share this with them

We're hosting round table events in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Cardiff to understand the barriers around clinical trials from the health care professional perspective. If you are an Oncologist, Breast Care Nurse Specialist or Research Nurse in these areas, please sign up to take part in our round table discussions and share your thoughts. Your opinions and experience will help us formulate an important report that we plan to share with decision-makers later in the year. Book your place and please share this post amongst your colleagues: https://lnkd.in/giuizzSE #seondarybreastcancer #cancerprofessionals #oncology #oncologists #breastcarenursespecialists #breastcarenurses #breastcare #secondarybreastcancerreserch #edinburgh #aberdeen #cardiff #clinicaltrials

Our Wellbeing Programme can help with the mental, emotional and physical effects of living with secondary (metastatic breast cancer). Three times a month, our mindfulness and breathwork sessions are run online, creating the time and space for relaxation and self-care. "Our breathing patterns send messages to our body and minds therefore changing our breath can change how we feel, says Louisa (pictured). "It can also help us with pain, fatigue and other symptoms that come with treatment." We're really thankful to AAB who funded the Breathe Balance Be sessions in 2024. Find out more about our Wellbeing Programme here: https://lnkd.in/gsRQ5yHc #livingwithsecondarybreastcancer #cancerwellbeing #secondarycancer #metastaticbreastcancer #wellbeing #breathwork

A landmark new study funded by Cancer Focus Northern Ireland published on Friday (9 Jan 2025) has revealed that 250 patients are diagnosed with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer annually in Northern Ireland, and almost 1,000 patients are currently living with the disease. Until now, the number of people with secondary breast cancer has been unknown as they are not routinely counted in Cancer Registries worldwide. Our CEO Samantha Dixon says: “Whilst it is welcoming to see this data for patients in Northern Ireland, the lack of accurate figures across the UK for people living with metastatic breast cancer is unacceptable. It makes it incredibly difficult to know the true level of support that is needed from charities like us nationally, as well as allowing health services to plan for demand." Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gJtSPsNi #metastaticbreastcancer #secondarybreastcancer

You've probably seen lots of posts about taking on a challenge event and raising money for a charity already this year. Well, we're here to shamelessly plug our events calendar and encourage you to sign up to raise money for us.....and here's why: 🌟 We have all sorts of events across the UK that you can get involved in. From gentle challenges🚶(2k a day throughout March), family fun events 🎪 (Inflatable 5k) to adrenaline-fuelled 🧗(Falkirk Wheel Abseil) and posh dinners 🍽️ (Ladies Lunches) 🌟 You will be raising money to give hope to men and women across the UK living with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer - and that's a fantastic thing! 🌟 AND, you get your hands on an exclusive Make 2nds Count tee! There are three colours to collect. (Why not sign up for three challenges and see if you can get all three tees!) Have a look at the calendar and see what you could do: https://lnkd.in/gBcU3ktw #challengeevents #corporatechallenges #newyearnewchallenge #fundraising

With the start of a new year we're celebrating what we've been able to achieve in the last 12 months, thanks to you. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported Make 2nds Count in 2024 - whether you've taken on a challenge event, shared a social post, donated or volunteered - you have helped us continue our mission to give hope to those affected by secondary (metastatic) breast cancer. #livingwithsecondarybreastcancer #metastaticbreastcancer #secondarybreastcancer #impact

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year when it comes, from the whole team here at Make 2nds Count. Thank you for all your support this year. For every penny raised, every post shared, every conversation had to raise awareness about secondary (metastatic) breast cancer. We couldn't have done what we have been able to do this year without you ❤️ As we look forward to the next year, we raise a glass tonight to remember those we have lost this year too. #HappyNewYear #HappyHogmanay Samantha Dixon Emma Hall Clare Cox Ruth Harris Claire O'Donnell Susan Sheridan (McChlery) Melanie Tolson Lianne Bryce

In the last of our 2024 reflection series, we're looking at the incredible ways our supporters have helped to fundraise for Make 2nds Count this year. Our Community Fundraisers have been amazing taking on challenges and running events that have brought people together, raised incredible amounts and helped to continue important conversations about secondary breast cancer. We're also really thankful for the corporate support we've had this year. We were thrilled to start a charity partnership with beauty specialists LAB FACTOR and delighted to have had continued support from Pinsent Masons Little Greene and Jennifer Young. We were also pleased to have been chosen as the charity partner for the BIG Boobie Campaign alongside Prevent Breast Cancer, and are very thankful to the Hope Hive and all their fundraising efforts. We're also thankful to Smith+Nephew & Foxbegin for their financial support and expertise. Without all of your incredible support, we would not be able to continue the work we do giving hope to those affected by secondary breast cancer - so thank you! Read more in our blog: https://lnkd.in/g7SjwnrQ