Call for Oxford companies to prepare for cancer crisis

Maggie’s has been supporting people with cancer, as well as their family and friends, by phone, email and through their online community throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

The charity, based at the Churchill Hospital in Headington, will continue to support those who are shielding, and those who would rather stay at home just now, in this way. For people wanting to visit the centre, they can meet with the professional team between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Unipart Group Director of Corporate Affairs, Frank Nigriello, said “Maggie’s is now playing an increasingly important role due to the pandemic.

“Recent news reports are talking about a ‘cancer crisis’ follow recent events,” he said.

“UK cancer experts predict up to 35,000 excess cancer deaths in a year under a worst-case scenario. Most recent cancer data research looked at the rates of urgent cancer referrals up to the end of May, and it shows they are still down by 44.5 per cent compared with pre-pandemic levels.”

Many charities are under significant pressure because lockdown has cancelled or curtailed fundraising opportunities. As well as making a small financial contribution, Unipart is reaching out to other companies in Oxfordshire to lead support during what could become a cancer crisis in the UK.

“Companies making even a small contribution could make a big difference to charities like Maggie’s,” said Nigriello. “So many of our colleagues, friends and acquaintances have been affected in some way by cancer. Supporting charities like Maggie’s is the best way of helping local people through very difficult circumstances.”

Pip Dingle, Centre Fundraising Manager said: “At a time when people need our support most, our funding has been severely impacted. If you or your company would be interested in helping us, we’d love to hear from you”.

“Maggie’s Oxford relies on voluntary donations to be able to offer this high quality, professional support. If anyone would like to support Maggie’s Oxford, they can do so on www.maggies.org/oxford. “