Support for people with breast cancer

Aim

We want to provide practical and emotional support to people who continue to receive breast cancer treatment during the pandemic.

"I just got a ‘little lifts’ box today on a day where a lift was much needed! Can’t tell you how much it meant to me and it was bursting with amazing quality presents." 

- Anon,  January 2021. 

Help us make people facing breast cancer treatment feel cared for, supported and not alone. With your support we can develop The little Kindness Fund - our way of making sure that people undergoing breast cancer treatment during these testing times have the opportunity to apply for a littlelifts box. 

Our vision

Every person affected by breast cancer should have the opportunity to receive a littlelifts box.

In the UK, every year approximately 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, that's one woman told every ten minutes, making it the most common cancer.  There are  also around 36,000 women living with a secondary breast cancer diagnosis, a recognised disability.  Breast cancer also affects men with approximately 350 diagnosed every year. 

We’re on a mission to support those affected by breast cancer by offering them a littlelifts box at the beginning of, or during,  their chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment. 

What is a littlelifts box?

We understand that every person's experience of breast cancer and its treatment is different. Our littlelifts boxes are full of carefully selected items to help alleviate some of the side effects that people may experience during chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment.    Each box is hand packed with love.  We really care about the environment and look to source products that are locally and ethically made, re-usable, eco-friendly and organic.  

Click here to find out what's in a box.  

How we work

We work with NHS hospitals in Norfolk and Suffolk so that people undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer can receive a littlelifts box at the start of, or during, their treatment.   The fantastic Oncology, Radiotherapy and Breast Care Teams we work with give out littlelifts boxes directly to patients.    

We've recently launched The little Kindness Fund (you can find out more about this exciting initiative below) - this acts as way for us to provide practical and emotional support to people with breast cancer who wouldn't otherwise receive a box as they are not being treated at one of our hospital partnerships. 

The pandemic doesn't stop breast cancer and right now you can help us make a difference 

People undergoing breast cancer treatment are clinically extremely vulnerable, and therefore at high risk from COVID-19. The pandemic also makes access to support systems and networks more challenging for these people, and we know that littlelifts boxes provide a valuable mood-boost as well as an important sense of solidarity and kindness. 

Right now, kindness really does matter.

Since the beginning of the pandemic we have received a surge in requests  from breast cancer patients outside Norfolk and Suffolk enquiring how they can receive a littlelifts box. 

We have responded to this and launched The little Kindness Fund

 The little Kindness Fund is a discretionary fund for women and men undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for primary or secondary breast cancer, living in England and Wales. The fund enables eligible applicants to receive a littlelifts box, free of charge, to support their emotional wellbeing and support them through their cancer treatment.  This fund acts as way for us to respond to the needs of people undergoing breast cancer treatment during these very testing times. 

To find out more click here. 

 £10,000 will allow us to support approximately 200 people via The little Kindness Fund. 

A bit about team littlelifts

A small, but mighty charity - that's what we like to call ourselves here at littlelifts! We are a team of three (supported by a fab Board of Trustees): 

Oa - Founder, she set the charity up after her own diagnosis of breast cancer in 2014 when she was 28 years old. During her treatment, which was really challenging at times, her family and friends put together thoughtful care packages to help relieve side effects she was experiencing as well as lovely treats to boost her emotional well-being. It is the kindness she received that inspires our littlelifts boxes today. 

Kay - Box Guru, plus she supports on loads of important 'tech' stuff. Kay is responsible for everything to do with our littlelifts boxes - from ordering and managing stock, to packing them and getting them out to our  hospital partnerships. Kay will be managing the applications and processing all orders from The little Kindness Fund.  

Shopie - She only joined recently, but she supports our Volunteers and Event Fundraising. When it's safe to do so, we will welcome volunteers back int our packing room so that they can help us pack boxes because we really do miss them! Recently, Shopie organised the littlelifts Big Dip Challenge and we had lots of people taking to chilly waters to help raise funds for littlelifts! 

Why your support matters

Breast cancer treatment can be gruelling both physically and mentally and during these difficult times, our littlelifts boxes are making a huge difference to the lives of women and men. 

Help us make people feel cared for, supported and not alone. 

With your support, we can help more people like Tracey: 

 "I just wanted to say a huge thank you. It was so overwhelming to feel that women who have never met me could do something so kind and thoughtful. It really did just feel like one huge hug in a box! The items in the box have been so useful already (I began my chemotherapy at the beginning of this week) and there are things you included I hadn't even thought of but am now using daily. I really wanted to let you know that it meant so much to receive this and made me feel that I really am not alone in all of this." 

We'd love you to be part of our ever growing #littleliftscommunity! Thank you for taking the time to read about what we do.  

Love from Oa and the team at littlelifts - Kay, Shopie & Trustees xx 

www.littlelifts.org.uk 

This project successfully funded on 23rd March 2021