How To Help
How To Help A Leukaemia Charity
One of the most common forms of cancer, leukaemia, is a type of blood cancer. There are thousands of new leukaemia cases across the UK every year. Fortunately, there are some fantastic organisations who support those affected, their families, and their friends.
WHY VOLUNTEER WITH A LEUKAEMIA CHARITY?
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is scary, while a familiar cancer like leukaemia can make it seem even more daunting. Depending on which type of leukaemia is diagnosed, it can either be a very aggressive cancer or one that develops slowly over many years.
Whichever type it is, it's important that people have a support network in place when they receive a cancer diagnosis. In addition to medical treatment, a supportive leukaemia charity can play a crucial role in helping people to deal with their cancer, as well as assisting those close to them.
HOW TO HELP LEUKAEMIA CHARITIES
Volunteer At A Support Centre
Charities like Maggie's offer cancer patients and their loved ones a place they can visit to receive vital support. Whether you're making tea or coffee, helping out with administrative tasks or making sure bookshelves are properly stacked and tidy, there are lots of ways you can help out at a support centre.
Volunteer At A Charity Shop
Some of the UK's biggest cancer charities run shops that are crucial for fundraising. Your time helping out could be varied. You could be working on the shop floor one day, or even behind the scenes organising stock the next.
Become A Cheerleader
Lots of people compete in events such as the London Marathon to raise funds on behalf of leukaemia charities. Some charities, such as CLIC Sargent, repay those efforts by sending cheer teams to events, tasked with making as much noise as possible for their participants. That extra bit of support can be a major boost for people really pushing themselves physically. If you have good photography skills, maybe you could even become an event photographer too?
Raise Awareness
Leukaemia symptoms can be quite vague, and include things like paleness, tiredness, breathlessness, more frequent infections and unusual bleeding, such as in the gums or nosebleeds. As with any cancer, the earlier it can be treated the better, and you can raise awareness of things like the symptoms in a variety of ways. Corporate partnerships, educational fundraising and even sharing articles or events on social media can help.
Become A Media Volunteer
If you've had leukaemia in the past or are going through treatment, you may be able to help a charity as a media volunteer. Cancer patients are needed for things like TV and radio interviews, as well as interviews with journalists for newspapers. If you're happy to tell your story, this could be a really helpful way for you to volunteer without making a huge time commitment.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HELP
- If you decide to become a media volunteer, communications and requests will come through the charity - as opposed to your details being given out to media outlets.
- Even if you're short on time, just a couple of hours a week can make a real difference when it comes to volunteering roles in places like charity shops or support centres.
WHERE TO GET STARTED
People's Postcode Lottery players support a number of cancer charities that have a positive impact on so many people's lives, including:
These charities are great if you're looking for somewhere to get started in volunteering.
HELPING DESERVING CAUSES
If you'd like to know more about getting involved in volunteering in your community, take a look at our Local Causes page and find opportunities near you.
Last updated: 26/03/2021
