Three reasons why you should support cancer charities

Hotly contested as one of the most widely funded charity sectors, there are many different charities for the many different types of cancers.

Here are three reasons why you should support them. Whether that may be with your time, donations, or moral support, this is how you could make a difference.

1. Prevention

Prevention of cancer, in particular prevention of secondary cancers, is an area that receives sparse time and resources. Clinicians simply do not have the time for extensive preventative education. This falls down to health policy and practice. By being involved with a cancer charity, by knowing about it, talking about it, thinking about it, you are creating awareness. Being a part of a wide community, passionate about the advancement of health care and survival in cancer can instil positivity and create a force to drive change. This positivity may be felt not only by you, but by those around you and ultimately may influence policy. By being a positive part of a bigger picture, and wanting to see a different future for cancer, you can be a pioneer and a change agent.

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2. Research

Without research, there can be no progression in cancer treatments. New and innovative approaches to cancer research are important for advancements in understanding and improving cancer pathways. Research doesn’t always begin and end with drugs. Ensuring early detection and diagnosis, identifying risk factors in diet and lifestyle choices are all part and parcel of researching cancer. Although some may think the cancer pot is full of money, remember, research is cumulative. Research is bound to sometimes fail, and it is these failures that can influence and inspire new routes and ideas into cancer treatments. Research is not finite or determined, but it is hopeful. By donating money or time, and helping to build up the profiles of smaller charities too, you can influence larger corporate donations that might propagate larger or longer trials. Secure and reliable income for cancer charities is essential in ensuring continued research.

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3. Morale

Supporting a charity, local or national, can help you get more involved in your community and boost your morale. Volunteering your time in person or remotely can be something that fits your lifestyles and needs, and can be as little or as much as you would like. Donating your skills and expertise can really make a difference to a charity in need and you too can reap the benefits. Being part of a big team of support can make a huge difference for people affected by cancer.

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Cancer is growing. It is widely known that everyone will be affected by cancer in one way or another in their lifetime. Be the difference you want to see in the world, and consider supporting a cancer charity in any way that suits you.

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How Are Cancer Cells Different?

From one to a hundred trillion cells, cells in the body multiply at an extreme level. With a number so high in count, sometimes things can go wrong.

Cancer cells are the result. Or rather, a mutation. This happens when a cell does not correctly form.

Standing alone a cancer cell seems harmless, but their ability to reproduce at a phenomenal rate can be deadly.

To dive further, click the link below to hear Ted-Ed discuss how the cells behave differently.

http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-do-cancer-cells-behave-differently-from-healthy-ones-george-zaidan

 

Written by Jacob Lundy

Wrapping up April – Testicular Cancer Awareness Month

First off, thank you for your support in the FCancer Project and the fight against all forms of cancers.

April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. In case you missed it, here are some things to know for the month of April in 2018.

What is the color for testicular cancer?

Orchid is recognized as the color for testicular cancer. Orchid is a purple-like color.

What does the purple ribbon for cancer stand for?

Purple symbolizes testicular cancer, but it also represents pancreatic and thyroid cancer.

How can I get involved with the cause?

Testicular Cancer Society:

http://www.testicularcancersociety.org/index.html

Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation:

http://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/

The FCancer Project:

https://fcancer.org/volunteer/dashboard

 

 

Written by Jacob Lundy

 

Co-Founder of FCancer is Honoured by Prime Minister

FCancer has been recognised for pairing volunteers with charities on a global scale. Co-founder of the ‘FCancer’ initiative Sal Lahound was honoured by Prime Minister Theresa May for creating an online platform that connects skilled volunteers with cancer-related charities.

A press release by the UK Points of Light reads:

PM recognises entrepreneurial volunteer pairing volunteers with charities

Prime Minister Theresa May has honoured a volunteer from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea making it easier for skilled volunteers to find cancer charities in need of help.
Sal Lahoud co-founded the ‘FCancer’ initiative after tragically losing his father to cancer. The innovative microvolunteering project pairs up people looking to donate their professional skills with cancer charities in need of support. 170 cancer charities post adverts on the FCancer website, with volunteers responding by pledging the number of hours they can dedicate to the cause.

Sal, who set up the project along with five close friends who all had a family member affected by cancer, has created a fully-integrated technology platform to automatically match the best projects to the skills of the volunteer. There are almost 9500 volunteers signed up to the initiative with around 100 new volunteers joining each week. Recent examples of successful collaborations have included designers creating information posters and animators producing adverts.

Sal is the latest recipient of a Point of Light award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers, people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.

In a personal letter to Sal, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“Your innovative initiative makes it easy for people to volunteer their professional skills by letting them pledge the number of hours they are able to donate. As a result cancer charities are able to access valuable skills to improve their impact and thousands of volunteers are giving back in a more meaningful way. Your work is changing lives and is a wonderful tribute to your father’s memory.”

Sal said:
“I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of FCancer. Our mission from the start was to create a fun and efficient way for volunteers to get involved in the fight against cancer. Building the FCancer platform into an easy-to-use technology platform that connects skilled volunteers with charity projects needing their expertise has been an eye-opening and rewarding experience for all of us. We would like to thank the UK government and the PM for supporting our effort – these initiatives do wonders for morale and give us more visibility. Thank you for encouraging young people to pursue opportunities in non-profit sectors.”

Sal is the 716th winner of the Points of Light award which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA and was first established by President George H. W. Bush. Over 5,000 US Points of Light have been awarded and both President George H. W. Bush and President Barack Obama publically supported the partnership with Points of Light UK when it was launched in 2014, which honours shining examples of volunteering across the country.

Regardless of whether it’s a doctor restoring local monuments in her free time, a father teaching young people life skills, or a local musician giving a voice to lonely people, the Point of Light award honours shining examples of volunteering across the UK.

Sal created FCancer alongside friends Oren Bass, Noor Fares, Petra Palumbo, Karim Lahoud and Victoria Brooks in 2012.

Website: pointsoflight.gov.uk

 

 

Written by Jacob Lundy

Activism: Debunking the Myths

An activist is an individual who campaigns for social change.

When I first was introduced to this definition, I was taken off-guard by it. When we think of an activist, we tend to believe they are the ones on television. I have dreamed of being an inspiration in my community, but I felt like becoming an activist was an impossible goal to achieve. So, I did what anyone who wants to learn more nowadays would do. I went on the internet to do some research on what it means to be an activist. Despite what I previous thought, I discovered some major myths regarding activism.

1. Activists are elitists

We think of activism, and its influencers, as “The Greats.” From MLK and Rosa Parks to John Lennon and Neil Young, we see activists as people of great importance. Perhaps this notion of them being better than us can make us lose faith in becoming one of the inspirations of our time.

Here is the truth: Everyday ordinary people doing courageous acts is activism.

That is right, the actions made by “average” citizens make them activists. I believe a vital aspect of creating a movement is one individual knowing their capabilities. Imagine a world where everyone felt strongly about a cause and pursued it without the worries of failure. This would create activism as the norm.

2. Activists are violent

Although there are diverse viewpoints on the methods to create real change, activists are not violent people. Nor do activists willingly create it. Quite the contrary because these individuals work to prevent harm to society. In fact, one of the utmost tactic ways of making a statement is without violence. This strategy is probably best known from Martin Luther King Jr.

3. Activism is pointless

With opposition in society, it can feel like a futile effort to pursue a cause. This notion is especially not true. Throughout time, individuals have stood up to all the cruelness of the world to change the shape of our future, and it is only through these daring movements that can make us believe in our world. This myth leads to the last one I would like to debunk.

4. One person cannot make a difference

In fact, it is only one person that can and will make a difference. The initiation of one ordinary person who makes a stance creates followers. Not all movements have to be big. I believe in all battles that must be fought, both small and large.

Now you know that becoming an activist is easier than you thought. I encourage you to find your cause and make a change in our world because activism starts with you.

Written by Jacob Lundy

Technology Leveraged for Good — — Harnessing the Power of Tech.

How are non-profits using #Tech4Good?

Technology has become part of our everyday lives. From social media to smart cars, technological advances are making our lives easier and far more connected. And whether we like it or not, technology is here to stay…

Well, I didn’t like it.

I loathed Tech. It overwhelmed me, and I just couldn’t convince myself to give in. But when I jumped into the non-profit world, everything changed. I realized it could do more for us than share who’s the hottest celebrity via Twitter (Chris Pratt obviously), and I became rather curious with this question in mind.

How can technology be utilized for social change?

I did some research to answer the question above, and I discovered how non-profits are using #Tech4Good,

Here’s what I found…

StreetLink

StreetLink is a mobile app, website, and helpline working 24/7 to help connect the general public with the homeless. The app captures the location of the individual in need and communicates the information to local authorities in real-time. This groundbreaking technology through our mobile devices has aided thousands of people in England and Wales.

Charity Water

Charity Water uses 100% of public donations to fund water projects for communities around the world. To give donors a satisfaction of progress for their social movement, they prove each completed project using GPS coordinates on Google Maps. And through their virtual reality film, The Source, they shared a surreal experience for over 10,000 individuals to see their cause come to life.

FCancer

FCancer wants to connect people possessing exceptional skills with cancer charities all over the world in need of services. With their elegant web design, they make it easy for volunteers to connect. Whether creating a marketing strategy, taking professional pictures, or writing a blog (like myself), FCancer has created a new form of charitable currency.

Want to be a part of this incredible #TechMovement? Check out these fresh resources to get involved!

Technology is the backbone for progression in our non-profits. It’s time to embrace it.

Written by Jacob Lundy

Bad Day? These Simple Beauty Routines Will Lift your Spirits

Everyone has a bad day once in a while and we can all be triggered off by something different. If you are ticked off by something which happened in your day, simply woke up on the wrong side of the bed or struggle with your feelings, making a few personal decisions can help turn your day around.

If you are feeling bad on the inside, making positive changes on the outside can bring you back from your slump. Simple beauty routines or self-care tasks can keep you distracted, increase your positive energy and help you take a few steps forward with your day.

Whether you are stuck in a rut with your self-care, don’t bother too much with it or love to change up your look each day we have some simple ideas to turn that frown upside down!

1. Get Clean:

First things first, get yourself in the shower. If you are having a real bad day or wake up feeling grumpy, this could be the furthest from your mind (we know all about that feeling of wanting to jump back under the bed covers!) however spending a few minutes in the shower and regulating the water from hot to cold will start to wake you up mentally and ‘metaphorically’ start to help you cleanse away the negativity. Focus on washing one part of your body at a time after the temperate has settled and treat its some pamper time.

2. Protect your skin:

Your skin is your body’s biggest organ, so have a think about what you put on to it! An easy part of a beauty routine is a choosing a product of your choice to protect your skin. Some may go for a cleanser and one more product, but if you feel that washing your face in the shower is enough for your routine — go with that and just pick one to follow up with. Protecting your skin with a moisturizer, face oil or balm will keep your skin feeling soft, smooth and looking healthy.

Part of the fun of finding the right skincare for you is testing out what feels good on your skin and what smells awaken your senses. If you do not know where to start, next time you are department store make the most of their testers. Many shops will have their skincare lines available to try first. Have fun, feel the different textures on your hands and inhale the different scents — find a favorite and get into the habit of using it day and night.

If you have particularly sensitive skin, try a natural and organic skincare range — they will typically have less ingredients in their formulations and will be free from harsh chemicals and preservatives.

3. Choose your best feature:

Step three in your pick me up routine is to highlight your favorite feature. If you enjoy wearing make up but your feelings are preventing you from picking up the blusher brush, this is absolutely fine. Pick one feature you want to concentrate on and go from there. For example if you like your eyes frame them with a coating of mascara, or select your favorite color eye shadow and dust your lids. One product can be as effective as 10 when you’re consciously making the decision to look after yourself. Or if you love to pucker and pout, dig out your best red lippie and make just the lips your statement for the day.

If make up is not your thing, reacquaint yourself with your favorite fragrance. Smells can evoke strong emotional reactions and if can connect this smell with something positive, it’ll be there all day to remind you and keep you lifted.

These steps can take as little or as long as you like. By feeling refreshed and clean, making the conscious decision to look after your skin and picking something positive about your appearance you have already made small decisions on turning your day, or week, around. If none of this makes sense to you then at the very, very least you can do, is smile :).

 

Written by Emily Venables