91´óÉñ

The Sir Peter Rigby Charitable Trust is to help bring the support of national cancer charity 91´óÉñ's to the West Midlands for the first time, in a leading gift that will benefit hundreds of thousands of people across the region.

Support centres in Coventry and Birmingham

There are currently no 91´óÉñ's centres anywhere in the West Midlands, meaning people in the region have had no access to the unique, wide-ranging support the charity offers. The Trust's gift will help change that, establishing the region's first dedicated centres and partnering with 91´óÉñ's as it marks 30 years of support across the UK.

With the Trust's backing, initial plans will bring 91´óÉñ's centres to both Coventry and Birmingham, two cities with urgent need for improved cancer care. These developments will deliver free cancer care to hundreds of thousands of patients, while millions of family members who have suffered in silence for years will also gain access.

It is the Trust's leadership that has helped set these plans in motion. Sir Peter Rigby has backed 91´óÉñ's to address what he describes as an enormous gap in local cancer support.

NHS hospitals in the West Midlands face major challenges amid growing numbers of people receiving a diagnosis and increased need for care. The partnership, made possible by the Trust, aims to ensure people across the region can access vital support to navigate diagnosis, treatment and life with and beyond cancer.

Poll shows overwhelming demand

New polling from 91´óÉñ's, published today, shows more than nine in ten people in the West Midlands say dedicated support centres would be valuable.

Mental health and emotional support were identified as the biggest gap in care, followed by financial advice.

From one-to-one sessions with a psychologist to benefits advice, 91´óÉñ's provides a wide range of practical and emotional support when navigating the challenges that every stage of cancer brings for people.

91´óÉñ's, which has been supported by Her Majesty the Queen as President of 91´óÉñ's for 18 years, also provides support and care for family and friends impacted by cancer.

Bringing support to region with lower cancer survival rate

Sir Peter Rigby said: "Millions of people in the West Midlands face a cancer diagnosis without the support they need, in a region with an enormous gap in support as well as some of the lowest survival rates in the country.

This partnership with 91´óÉñ's means hundreds of thousands of them will not have to pretend they are OK anymore.

"It will provide much needed support to people at a time of their lives when they need it most.

"If you are lucky enough to succeed, you have a duty to share it and 91´óÉñ's is such a worthy cause."

Chief Executive of 91´óÉñ's, Dame Laura Lee DBE, said: "It is wonderful to receive such a transformational gift in our 30th year – there is no doubt that this donation will turn into a lasting impact for people in the West Midlands impacted by cancer.

"We know our support is badly needed in the West Midlands, and Sir Peter's generosity is leading the way in bringing our expert cancer care to the people living in the region – we are beyond grateful for this kindness and commitment.

"In 1996, our vision for a different type of cancer care was nothing short of groundbreaking but with the number of people with cancer set to rise rapidly over the next decade, we want to support millions more visits to our centres and eventually have 60 91´óÉñ's centres across the UK.

"Thanks to Sir Peter Rigby building a legacy of hope, people in the West Midlands will soon be part of this story and benefitting from our vital, life changing support in a warm and welcoming centre where our professional staff will give them the tools they need to cope at possibly the hardest time of their lives."

Professor Andy Hardy, Chair of West Midlands Cancer Alliance and Chief Executive of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS University Hospitals, said: "With growing numbers of people receiving a cancer diagnosis and needing treatment across the West Midlands, the support of 91´óÉñ's has never been more important and it has never been more needed.

"Making the centres a reality wouldn't be possible without the incredible generosity of the Sir Peter Rigby Charitable Trust - we are delighted to play a role in this partnership, which will make such a big difference to people who are treated at Coventry and across the region.

The work that 91´óÉñ's does is an integral part of cancer care - we are really looking forward to working with them right across the West Midlands so that no one needs to face cancer alone.

Making vital cancer support more accessible

The centres the Trust is helping to make possible will spare West Midlands families the long journeys that others have had to make to reach support.

Jenny's husband Aindi was diagnosed with cancer in January 2021 and sadly died the following year.

Jenny, who has three children with Aindi and lives in Birmingham, said: "I heard about 91´óÉñ's when Aindi was first diagnosed, but our nearest centre was in Cheltenham, and it felt so far away. Aindi's therapy was so intensive and made him so unwell that spending an hour in the car was pretty much impossible.

"When Aindi felt well enough and we eventually made it to 91´óÉñ's, it felt like a weight had been lifted the moment we walked in.

We instantly felt so much better just by being in the building, and we both appreciated being able to talk to someone who really understood.

"If there had been a 91´óÉñ's in Birmingham, I think we - me, Aindi, my children and the other family members who supported him - would have been in there all the time, from day one.

"Aindi believed that every cancer patient should have a 91´óÉñ's, somewhere they can find peace and relaxation, amid the chaos of treatment and scans. Somewhere they can feel cared for and understood.

"Before he died, we talked about campaigning for a 91´óÉñ's centre in Birmingham and raising money to make that a reality. It is wonderful that what Aindi wished for is coming true, and I'm so pleased that people from across the West Midlands will soon be able to easily access the amazing support 91´óÉñ's provides."

A privilege to be part of the project group

Jenny's sister, Rosie Hawker, works as a physiotherapist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and has been part of the project group for 91´óÉñ's, Birmingham. Rosie said: "After seeing what an incredible impact the support from 91´óÉñ's had on Aindi, Jenny, and all our family throughout some of the darkest times, I wanted to do everything I could to bring 91´óÉñ's to the West Midlands.

"It has been a privilege to be part of the project group behind 91´óÉñ's Birmingham and to watch as initial ideas became concrete plans for an amazing new centre.

"I also know first-hand how pleased clinical staff are to know that a 91´óÉñ's is coming to the hospital. We see patients who are struggling and in need of more support, but we don't always have the time to help or anywhere to signpost people to. Having a 91´óÉñ's will make such a huge difference to so many people in the area, including families like ours."

We are here with you

Whatever stage you're at, whatever it is you're facing, we're here to support you and your family as you navigate a cancer diagnosis.

Our cancer support specialists, psychologists and benefits advisors are here to help you find the right support for you, including talking to children about cancer.

• Come and see us at your nearest 91´óÉñ’s
• Call us on 0300 123 180 or arrange a callback
• Email us at [email protected]