'I'm gonna love you through it'

Today's post is about a video that has gone viral and why it has a very important message for us all.

Last week a class in Staten Island NYC marked the end of term with a special tribute to their teacher, who has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer. She struggled to hold back tears (and so did I) as their moving rendition of 'I'm gonna love you through it' filled the room with hope and solidarity. The teachers response? 'It's not easy but I will get through it because I have wonderful friends in this school'. (Watch the video here)

This got me to thinking as to how important loving support really is. My name is Tash and I have been working at Yes to Life for over a year. In this time I have had the honour to meet and talk with many people who are facing up to cancer with incredible courage. I am continuously humbled by these individuals, but also by the people around them who are the ears that listen, the shoulders to cry on, the hands that help and the ones to say 'I am with you, no matter what'.

From all I have seen and heard so far, it is this kind of love and support which in so many ways makes all the difference.

Like, Comment, Share: Top posts

Today's blog is a round up of your favourite posts from our Facebook page over the past three months. We love sharing the latest news, research and all the inspiring stories which come our way. Please 'like' us if you are interested in joining the conversation.

In case you missed them here are the top 5 posts which got you all talking over the past few months.

1. Why I'm saying no to a smear

An interesting, and in many ways controversial article from GP Dr Margaret McCartney explaining the reasons why she will not be taking parting in cervical and breast screening. She says 'I'm not against screening, but I am against unthinking screening' and presents a strong case for rethinking our current approach to screening for cancer.

2. I ate 40 teaspoons of sugar a day. This is what happened

A shocking (and hilarious) article from Damon Gameau, who after giving up sugar for three years, reintroduced 40 hidden teaspoons a day for 60 days to see how would it affect his health. No prizes for guessing that it wasn't an improvement...  His story features in the documentary 'That Sugar Film', a huge hit across Australia.

The Final Furlong, into the Centre of Africa - Part 4

Today’s post is our fourth and final instalment from Mike ‘the Bike’ McLellan, cycling enthusiast and long-time supporter of Yes to Life who just completed his mammoth trip from Italy to West Africa to embark on the adventure of a lifetime and raise lots of money to help us support people with cancer along the way.

For most of the journey through Europe then North and West Africa I had been travelling on the coast with its moderating effect on the climate, so it was rarely too hot or too cold. After reaching Casamance in Southern Senegal I headed inland rather than continue into the Ebola ridden countries along the coast and from here it got just got hotter and hotter.

As I said goodbye to my English fellow cyclists Zak and Alice who were taking a different route I crossed the border from Mali to Burkina Faso. I stopped for a long time at the border settling into a comfy chair under a mango tree and chatting to the very friendly Burkina border police. Stopping and resting in the shade during the day had already become a necessity as temperatures soared. I didn't  think it could get any hotter, but it did!

The hardest part of the whole journey was the few days from the Burkina border to the capital, Ougadougou. It had become too hot at night to camp so I planned a route that would bring me to a town, which meant a room in a hotel or guest house each evening. The thought of being under a cooling ceiling fan was enough to give me the strength to keep going.

Broccoli & Sundried Tomato Frittata

Today's post is a recipe from Jenny Phillips who specialises in supporting cancer patients with diet & lifestyle interventions. She herself recovered from breast cancer 10 years ago and is about to release her first recipe book called 'Eat to OUTSMART Cancer', watch this space! You can catch Jenny in person at our Cooks and Cancer Workshop on Saturday (4th July), the last few tickets are available here.

Broccoli is indeed a star of the vegetable world. It contains a host of anti-cancer nutrients including sulfurophane and indole-3-carbinol, which support detoxification and healthy oestrogen metabolism. One study found that four servings of broccoli a week could protect men from prostate cancer.

This oven baked frittata is simple to make and makes a convenient lunch, supper or picnic item. The miso adds a deeper flavour and is a source of B vitamins, antioxidants and probiotics.

This is just one of the recipes we are featuring at the cookery workshop on Saturday 4 July – click here for more info.

‘How to be a Cancer Maverick’ by Nina Joy – a Review

This post is a review of Nina Joy's new book 'How to be a Cancer Maverick', a follow up to the highly successful ‘The Adventures of a Cancer Maverick’. Nina has spent the last two years defying predictions on her cancer prognosis by taking control of the management of her health. Since the publication of her first book Nina has taken daily calls on ‘how she is managing to live so successfully with cancer’, in this book she sets out to offer some answers. To purchase a copy please click here

Sometimes you pick up a book, and you know within a few pages that the person who sat down to write it is a truly remarkable individual. This is one of those books, and Nina Joy is one of those people. In August 2012 Nina was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, she was labelled ‘incurable’ and offered systematic chemotherapy as her last and only option.

‘In the blink of an eye, your life changes beyond comprehension. Everything you have held dear, and have taken for granted, is blown into smithereens. The future you thought you had – gone. The events and experiences you thought were yet to come – gone. Have you had you last birthday, your last Christmas? And bizarrely, I wondered if I would get to see the next series of Downton Abbey.’

The prognosis didn't sit well with Nina, who instinctively felt that she did have other options and it was just a case of finding them. Now almost three years later, Nina is enjoying good health and living life to the full. Having already shared her personal story in ‘The Adventures of a Cancer Maverick’ this follow up book is her guide to dealing with a cancer diagnosis and coming through it stronger than ever:

‘It has been said that what has happened to me is nothing short of a miracle. It feels like it to me! But the good news is that this miracle didn't just land on me from heaven. It’s one which I have had to figure out and work for, which makes it all the sweeter. More importantly it means that I can share the steps that I have taken, so that you may be able to create your own miracle too.’

As Nina would say, ‘hang on to your hats, let’s go Maverick!’

10 Great Things about Yes to Life's First 10 Years

In case you didn't already know, this month Yes to Life is celebrating its 10th birthday. In today's post our founder and chairman Robin Daly shares his top 10 great things about Yes to Life's first 10 years. Find out more about how you can get involved here.

1. Well number one has to be people: I have met so many extraordinary and lovely people on this journey. Before we even started to run any services, warm, resourceful, passionate and caring people started to get on board to help make Yes to Life into a reality. And that has only accelerated over the years, as more and more fantastic people are working in the charity and volunteering their skills, time and passion in an enormous variety of ways.

2. And number two - people: Once we had the bare bones of a service in place, we started interacting with, and supporting the most courageous, determined, creative people who came to us for help. It is an absolute privilege to be able to share a little part of their extraordinary lives - the immense challenges, the joys, the tears, the losses and the triumphs.

Robin hits the Airwaves - Watch out UK Health Radio!

Today's post is about a really exciting new development - Robin is hosting our very own show on UK Health Radio. The brand new 'Yes to Life Show' will be launching tomorrow at 9am (repeated at 9pm) with an interview with health journalist Jerome Burne, so don't miss it! 

As any of our followers will know, a few months ago we let our Founder and Chairman Robin Daly loose on the blog. His page 'Words from our Founder' has proved to be a big hit with Robin taking on many contentious topics and giving a wealth of insight and evidence as to why we need to rethink the way we approach cancer in the UK.

But Robin, never one to rest on his laurels, decided this platform was not enough. Now he has convinced the good people of UK Health Radio to give him his very own show! The 'Yes to Life Show' will be your weekly dose of everything that is moving forward in the world of cancer. Robin will be interviewing a diverse mix of scientists, oncologists, practitioners and extraordinary survivors who have exceeded all expectations by thinking outside of 'the box'.

Robin is planning on interrogating this 'box' and we are looking forward to hearing about all he may discover.