The 4th of February 2024 is World Cancer Day, which provides a point in the calendar year when we can reflect on the work we have achieved as a network, particularly in terms of the impact we are having and how we are working together to make progress and support the wider World Cancer Day 3 year campaign to Close the Care Gap. As a network and committee, we are dedicated to working with our allies to push for the prioritisation of cancer across the MoD from policies to accessing services for all of our colleagues. We have heard so many cases of employees not being able to access the right information, or there being a lack of information available to them, and we want to change that, to ensure that everyone has access to the services they require. Campaign theme I World Cancer Day
The work of the Defence Cancer Support Network – achievements over the last year.
The Network grew substantially last year, and we currently have just over 100 members from an initial group of 4 which is incredible. We have worked really hard to grow and make connections across the MoD with all services, other networks and external speakers to support our staff. Over the past 12 months we have achieved so much with a whole new set of goals for 2024 to come (which are listed on our SharePoint Page: Defence Cancer Support Network).
Achievements for 2023 included:
· Setting up local Cancer Support Cafés across defence
· Monthly Network Meetings have included: Information on reasonable workplace adjustments, Representatives from Employers for Carers, Nona Baker, co-chair of MPN Voice, and counsellor together with Professor Clair Harrison (Professor of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and Deputy Medical Director – research at Guy's and St Thomas’ Hospital in London & Tom Teeling -Smyth, Breast Cancer Now
· Broadening the content of our SharePoint page
· Working with the Defence Civil Servant Wellbeing Champion, Avril Jolliffe to promote the existence and work of the network and gain agreement from MOD to sign up to the Worldwide #workingwithcancer pledge and related action plan: (https://workingwithcancer.co.uk/)
· Commencing work on producing a Guide to Working with Cancer and other serious illness for Service Personnel
· Extending our links and participation with CanDiD
· Taking part in Defence’s offering of talks and information during National Inclusion Week
· Bringing the DE&S Cancer Support Network into our Network
· Setting up our Buddy Offering and training 18 Buddies
Signposting to any sources of help (internal and external of the military)
Our Defence Cancer Support Network provides lots of internal and external links for all MoD personnel to access further information. Personnel are also welcome to join our monthly network meetings which are advertised on the SharePoint site and provide a community of support and information for anyone wishing to seek it whether that is someone with a cancer diagnosis, a line manager, colleague, friend or carer. All are welcome.
“Together, we challenge those in power”
This is the theme for World Cancer Day 2024 and as a network, the Defence Cancer Support Network will be doing just that via our Community of Interest which has been established to put into action the MOD #workldwidecancer Pledge.
Thank you to Allison & Nikki for providing the text for this article.
