This May (2023) the Acorn Cancer Support Group has reached a significant milestone of 25 years in providing assistance to individuals in St Ives and the neighbouring areas who have been affected by cancer. Throughout these years, our primary goal has been to alleviate the physical and emotional burdens that accompany a cancer diagnosis. By fostering a sense of community, sharing personal experiences, and offering coping strategies, we strive to enhance the quality of life for both patients and their loved ones. Social activities, therapy sessions, and exercise have played a pivotal role in helping individuals navigate life with cancer or during their recovery.

In 1998, the Macmillan Cancer Support Group, alongside the physiotherapy and district nursing team in St Ives, initiated the Acorn Cancer Support Group. Since then, we have continued to thrive, expanding our reach to Huntingdon, St Ives, Ramsey, and even establishing a separate spin-off group in St Neots. Over the past thirteen years alone, our efforts have touched the lives of countless individuals impacted by cancer. To provide some perspective, we have organized 421 support meetings with an impressive attendance of 10,600 people. Additionally, we have offered 2,600 individual relaxation and massage therapies, facilitated 2,330 seated exercise sessions, and brought joy to 1,200 individuals through our monthly film club. These numbers represent just a glimpse of the extensive support we have provided and continue to offer.

View 25th Anniversary Celebration Booklet

Community Award

We would like to say a huge thank you to the St Ives Rotary Club for providing The Acorn Cancer Support Group with the community award, “25 Years of Outstanding Service” and a generous £500 donation to the charity.

St Ives Rotary Club have supported the work of The Acorn Cancer Support Group for a long time and we are very grateful for their continued support.

We would also like to thank The Mayor of St Ives for his continued support, as well as all those individuals and organisations that have, and continue to support our small charity.

Gallery – 24th May 2023 Celebration

We hope that the publicity surrounding Acorn’s 25th Anniversary celebration will reach those who were diagnosed with cancer when we were unable to help during the Covid-19 lockdown. We are open again and here for you. There is no need to be lonely or isolated just because you have a cancer diagnosis. Come as you are, meet others who face a similar challenge. We provide the chance to be yourself, have some fun, chat over lunch, and social outings. What’s even better, everything we provide is free.

Gordon Dyer, The Acorn Cancer Support Group Secretary

It gives me such great pleasure to be celebrating 25 years of a group like Acorn Cancer Support Group. They have welcomed Macmillan with open arms. Their passion and dedication in reducing isolation, providing emotional peer support and just being there for people living with or affected by cancer in their community is truly an inspiration. Here is to many more years and celebrations to come!”

Munashe Munyukwi – Macmillian Engagement Lead

Press

Hunts Post – St Ives Acorn Group Celebrates 25 Year Anniversary – Link