Cancer & Faith Project 

In September 2023 the Leicester Council of Faiths was commissioned by Macmillan Cancer Support to explore the barriers, and opportunities, Leicester’s faith and belief communities face in respect of cancer.

  • Between February and April 2024, we held 6 Conversations about Cancer listening events. Over 100 people from Leicester’s Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jain and other faiths and beliefs communities attended the events. People came together, in a supportive and encouraging environment and talked about their personal experiences in respect of cancer, faith and beliefs.
  • We had a project WhatsApp group where people shared their own experiences and thoughts about cancer, faith and beliefs.
  • We made 3 films about 3 people’s personal and powerful experiences of cancer and faith.

Please click on the links below to watch the films.

Anisa’s Story

Anisa was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2022.

Ansia talks about her cancer journey and how her family, friends, faith, and community helped her to become a cancer warrior.

Anita’s Story

Anita’s Father Sulakhan Singh tells her story, and her battle with Pancreatic Cancer.

Sulakhan Singh explains how his faith has helped him cope with the loss of his beloved Daughter, Anita.

 

Kartar Singh Bring

Kartar Singh is Head of Chaplaincy at the University Hospitals of Leicester and Leicestershire Partnership Trust.

He shares his personal experiences of supporting those affected by cancer in his role as Chaplain.

 

We spoke on local radio about the project and the films we made to raise awareness about of the importance of talking about cancer.

You can find more information about the cancer and faith project, and the Leicester Council of Faiths in this short video.

The feedback we received from the people we met during the project will help Macmillan to support those affected by cancer.

We are very grateful for the huge amount of support we have received for this project from Leicester and Leicestershire’s faith and belief communities.

We are especially grateful to the following organisations for their support:

  • Macmillan Cancer Support
  • BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Leicester
  • Evington Community Centre
  • Gurdwara Sahib – Ramgarhia Board Leicester
  • Jain Samaj Europe at the Leicester Jain Centre
  • Leicester Local Quaker Meeting at the Quaker Meeting House
  • Sacred Heart Church
  • Punjab2000
  • South Asian Health Action (SAHA)
  • Core Plus 20
  • Eava FM

If you would more information about the cancer and faith project, please email us at info@leicestercounciloffaiths.org.uk

 
Macmillan Cancer Support Resources

Do you need information and resources about cancer? Macmillan Cancer Support has a wide range of information available on their website at
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support

Need to talk to someone about cancer?
The Macmillan Cancer Support helpline is open 7 days a week from 8am-8pm. Call 0808 808 00 00.
The helpline is confidential.