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Patient stories, wellbeing tips and a directory of key services are all on offer on a new online hub dedicated to helping islanders with cancer being officially launched today.
Coinciding with World Cancer Day today, cancer.je has been launched by Lorna Pirozzolo, whose cancer diagnosis in 2018 inspired her to form an easily accessible online resource offering advice and information to Jersey cancer patients.
Amongst its features, the site will offer guidance for those with the disease, as well as links to Government services, off-island treatments and first-hand accounts from people with cancer.
PIctured: Lorna Pirozzolo, after she struggled to find online information on transport when she was being treated.
An online directory of groups, charities, and businesses selling essential products is also due to be added soon.
Lorna has been assisted by Jersey-based developers Corefocus, who have developed and donated the website and resource hub.
Talking to Express last year as she was developing the site, Lorna said that the seeds of the idea came when she was browsing the web.
Pictured: Lorna said she had met many patients who had missed out on support because they didn't know where to look.
“Patients chat to each other and time after time I was meeting people who had missed out on available support. Usually, this was due to not knowing it was available or not knowing how or where to access it,” she explained.
“After one such discussion, I went home considering how it could be made easier for people to find the support they need. I, quite aimlessly, found myself looking up www.cancer.je and was surprised to find that no-one had bought the domain. I bought it there and then.”
The website will be run by a voluntary committee, which will the developers hope will include cancer patients, family members of patients and a cancer professional.
On this week’s launch, Lorna said: “There are so many unknowns when it comes to cancer, from understanding work-based implications and expectations around treatments to managing personal relationships.
“With this new initiative, we’re aiming to build a supportive and helpful community informed by real experience and empathy, especially during that whirlwind time after first diagnosis. I’m thrilled to see our vision come to fruition and thank everyone involved for helping bring our plans to life.”
Pictured: Cancer.je will offer islanders a centralised place to find the cancer services and information they need.
Lauren Perchard-Rees, Chairwoman of the Jersey Cancer Support Network and Macmillan Jersey Executive Director, added: “Many people directly and indirectly affected by cancer require extensive support throughout their experience. It can be a confusing and very challenging time, and it can be difficult to find all the available support resources - let alone fully understand much of the complex information at hand.
“This new initiative is very welcome and will provide much needed assistance to all those seeking it, as well as reinforce the strong community and support network we have on the island.”
Also on World Cancer Day, Friends of Anthony Nolan - a local blood cancer charity - is encouraging islanders to sign up to donate blood either on Facebook, their website or by emailing them at jerseyfriendsofan@gmail.com.
"So much has stopped in our world... but blood cancer hasn't stopped affecting people of all ages. Something positive you can do today, on World Cancer Day, is to join the Anthony Nolan Register of potential donors," the charity said.
"Anyone aged 16-30 and in general good health can sign up to join its stem cell register in the fight against blood cancers, such as Leukaemia.
“It costs you nothing and you can do it online right now! Help save a life. Please do it today!"
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