Dynamic Marcella Turner founded Can-Survive UK in 2015 following the loss of both her parents to cancer.
The middle child of seven, Manchester-born Marcella set up and tailored her award-winning charity to meet the culturally sensitive needs of primarily, but not exclusively, African and Caribbean people diagnosed with or caring for someone with cancer. Can-Survive UK offers support and information for anyone experiencing the effects of cancer, be they a patient, carer, relative, friend or work colleague.
Despite numerous cancer awareness campaigns, many community members have an overriding fear of the illness. Marcella explains: “In our community certain people still regard cancer as a taboo subject. For those individuals, it carries not only a stigma but worse still, a sense of shame. This can be so strongly felt that they will keep their diagnosis a complete secret. They end up attending hospital appointments alone, not understanding what is happening and undergoing treatment without an awareness of its impact and how to manage it. This is why Can-Survive UK exists.
“Our three full-time staff members, six part-time workers and sixteen volunteers work hard to try and dispel the myths and diffuse people’s anxieties by encouraging patients and families to talk more openly about dealing with the realities of cancer. By applying this approach to the illness and its treatments, we support people through the trauma of a cancer diagnosis.”
“Can-Survive UK staff can be contacted Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm and are accessible to service users for emergencies outside of these hours.
Marcella continues: “Over the last nine years, Can-Survive UK has grown. We now also deliver services in Oldham, Tameside, Trafford and will shortly be opening new services in Bolton and Salford.”
In its support hubs, Can-Survive UK provides its service users with extensive and comprehensive activities. In addition to the intimate one-to-one chat areas available in the Kath Locke Centre in Hulme, visitors can find comfy lounge spaces in which to relax and socialise, as well as areas for more physical activities.
Therapies onsite are numerous and include reflexology, massages, talking therapy, general advice and information, plus de-stressing techniques, art therapy, meditation and exercise classes. For people who are housebound and unable to attend the support groups, Can-Survive UK’s home service comes into action. The charity also provides an advocacy service and will accompany service users to hospital, GP and other appointments.
As part of their social enterprise, Can-Survive UK recently launched CSUK Vintage – an online store selling high quality pre-loved clothes and accessories. Proceeds from CSUK Vintage contribute to the charity’s running costs. Marcella’s vision is the future transference of CSUK’s successful online vintage clothes ‘store’ to the high street.
In October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Can-Survive UK hosted its BOOBTIQUE event at Menagerie in Manchester. Guests were welcomed with a drinks reception and canapes whilst enjoying the opportunity to socialise, network and hear from inspirational women sharing their breast cancer journey and how they have moved forward with their lives. Marcella also spoke of her vision for CSUK Vintage, mentioning the different ways in which people can give support such as through sponsorship, donating clothing or volunteering time.
Reflecting positivity in its very name, this local charity, its leader and staunch trustees will doubtlessly continue adding to their accolades. In 2020 Can-Survive UK was recognised as Forever Manchester’s ‘Community Group of the Year’ and in 2023 Marcella gained acclaim with her Inspirational Woman Award ‘Community’ and Women of Worth ‘Outstanding Achievement’ awards.
“Our long-term aim for Can-Survive UK is to increase our services, ensure sustainability and grow to become a mainstream national cancer support organisation, leaving a lasting legacy,” concludes Marcella Turner.Watch this space!
Email: info@can-survive.org.uk / Twitter: @CanSurviveUK / Kath Locke Centre,
123 Moss Lane East, Manchester M15 5DD / Telephone: 0161 232 1286 / Mobile: 07496 089310
By Fay Wertheimer
Photographer – Positive Reflection Photography
