Photo Credit – Matt Addis
Madley Satellite Station will join 70 venues as part of the campaign – an increase of 25% on last year’s number
This October, an iconic landmark in Herefordshire will join 70 venues, sites and monuments and proudly light up in the distinctive pink, purple and teal of Make 2nds Count, a patient and family-focused charity dedicated to giving hope through clinical trial education, knowledge sharing, support and funding research into secondary (metastatic) breast cancer.
The number marks an increase of 25% in the number of venues that joined the campaign last year.
On October 13, Secondary (metastatic) Breast Cancer Awareness Day and the only day of the year dedicated to raising awareness on secondary breast cancer, Madley Satellite Stationwill support the “Shine a Light” initiative which – as part of their “1,000 Truths” campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) – seeks to raise awareness of the reality of incurable secondary (metastatic) breast cancer, highlighting the urgent need for greater awareness, support and funding for research.
Make 2nds Count is dedicated to supporting patients living with secondary breast cancer (SBC), Also known as ‘stage 4’ or ‘advanced breast cancer’, secondary (metastatic) breast cancer occurs when cancer spreads from beyond the breast to other parts of the body. The disease is incurable but treatable, and symptoms can vary from person to person.
An estimated 61,000 people in the UK are living with this condition, which claims 1,000 lives every month. Additionally, a recent survey showed that 38% did not know what secondary breast cancer was, and 21% did not know what symptoms to look for.
Make 2nds Count aims to ignite empathy and amplify the voices of those affected and this year’s “1,000 Truths” campaign shares personal stories of patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
Diane Ellingham, a patient from the Birmingham area said: “My diagnosis of secondary breast cancer has been a journey of learning, not just for me but for my whole family. Living in Birmingham with my husband and grown-up kids, we’ve become a team, researching alternative treatments and exploring what’s working for patients beyond the UK.
“You adapt, compromise, and find ways to live well even with a secondary diagnosis. But what people don’t always see is what’s underneath. We may look fine, but there are days filled with fear, anxiety, and pain.
“That’s why the ‘Shine a Light’ initiative means so much to me. By raising awareness, we can help people understand that SBC is complex and different for everyone. We need to share our stories, the good days and the bad, to create a better understanding of what living with this condition is truly like.”
Sam Dixon, CEO of Make 2nds Count, further emphasised the significance of the campaign: “These illuminated landmarks represent a beacon of hope for the tens of thousands affected by secondary breast (metastatic) cancer.
“Through our ‘1,000 Truths’ campaign, we also want to bring the personal stories of patients to the forefront, ensuring that every voice is heard, and every life is honoured. By shining a light on secondary breast cancer, we hope to raise awareness, build a more empowered community, and ultimately improve the lives of those living with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer.”
The Herefordshire community is invited to participate by visiting the illuminated landmarks on October 13th, sharing photos on social media using the hashtag #ShineALight, and engaging with the “1,000 Truths” stories on the Make 2nds Count website.
This campaign offers a powerful platform to honour the stories of those living with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer and to spark hope for a future where no more lives are lost to this disease.
For more information about Shine a Light, “1,000 Truths”, or to get involved, visit https://make2ndscount.co.uk/news/bcam-2024.
