Several cancer organisations around the UK have announced that they are merging in order to strengthen the cancer support on offer.
Two of the leading organisations for professionals and researchers working in children and young people’s cancer – Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) and Teenagers and Young Adults with Cancer (TYAC) – have merged their memberships to form a new body.
CCLG: The Children & Young People’s Cancer Association will bring cancer experts together to further improve care and support for young patients.
Meanwhile, two Sheffield-based cancer charities have announced that they have merged in order to strengthen the cancer support available in the region.
Sheffield charities to form larger, unified organisation
Weston Park Cancer Charity and Cavendish Cancer Care announced the merger, effective from 28 February, late last week.
The charities, who have a combined 60 years of service to those affected by cancer across South Yorkshire, Bassetlaw and North Derbyshire, are merging all existing services to form a larger, unified charity, that they hope will have a “greater and lasting impact on those facing cancer”.
As well as plans to develop and grow their services, under the name of Weston Park Cancer Charity, the merged organisation will strengthen its ability to fund critical cancer research, improve patients’ treatment experiences and support the development of innovative technology at the Weston Park Cancer Centre.
The merger will also lead to the expansion of practical support services for those affected by cancer, including the continued provision of complementary therapies, counselling, and children’s services at Cavendish Cancer Care’s Wilkinson Street site.
Merger will ‘create even greater impact for people in our communities’
Emma Clarke, current CEO of Weston Park Cancer Charity, will take on the role of CEO of the expanded charity.
David Grey, chair of Cavendish Cancer Care, said: “We are very excited about the opportunity to merge with Weston Park Cancer Charity which will allow us to continue the wonderful work our team have delivered to people affected by a cancer diagnosis in the region.
“Joining forces will enable us to work with the team at Weston Park to develop and grow our services, whilst maintaining the culture and model of care we have developed over the 30-plus years since the charity was formed by our founder, David Simons.”
“Now, as we step into this new chapter, we look forward to collaborating with our new colleagues at Weston Park Cancer Charity to create an even greater impact for the people in our communities.”
Professional organisation merger will ‘foster greater collaboration’
Meanwhile, it is hoped that the merger between CCLG and TYAC into a single, cohesive membership body focused on people aged up to 24 years will “foster greater collaboration, enhance access to resources, and build a stronger community dedicated to advancing treatment, care and support for children and young people with cancer and their families”.
CCLG: The Children & Young People’s Cancer Association’s CEO, Ashley Ball-Gamble, added: “Our new, unified membership marks an exciting new chapter that combines our mutual strengths to create new opportunities and drive excellence in everything we do.
“It will bring together healthcare professionals and researchers dedicated to supporting children, teenagers, and young adults, with the goal of creating a stronger, more connected professional community.
“As the experts in children’s and young people’s cancer, we want to drive progress, and coming together will help us do so with the sharing of ideas, resources and best practice – ultimately to the benefit of children, young people and their families.”
Related articles
