Help us raise £10,000 for vital mental health support for breast cancer reconstruction patients!
Donations doubled this Small Charity Week from 22nd - 29th June
Every Donation Doubled. Every Conversation Matters.
This Small Charity Week, we have an incredible opportunity to transform lives.
Thanks to the generosity of the Big Give and People's Postcode Lottery, every donation made to our campaign will be doubled, helping us turn £10,000 into £20,000 to launch a much-needed Mental Health Support Service for people facing breast reconstruction and the loved ones supporting them.
For many people diagnosed with breast cancer, reconstruction is far more than a physical journey. It is an emotional one too. Decisions about surgery, changes to body image, treatment uncertainty, and the challenges of recovery can have a profound impact on mental wellbeing. Yet too many people are navigating these experiences without the psychological support they need.
We aim to change that.
Why Mental Health Support for Breast Reconstruction Patients Matters!
Every year, around 55,000 women and 400 men in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer. For many, breast reconstruction becomes an important part of their treatment and recovery journey. While medical care focuses on physical health, the emotional impact can often go unseen.
Research shows that:
- 1 in 2 breast cancer patients experience anxiety or depression.
- 21% do not receive the emotional support they need.
- Cancer patients report an average wellbeing score of just 74 out of 100, compared to 90 out of 100 in the general population.
Behind these statistics are real people facing difficult choices, uncertainty, fear, and feelings of isolation. Many struggle with confidence, body image concerns, and the emotional toll that can continue long after treatment ends.
No one should have to face this journey alone.
Our Solution: A Dedicated Psychological Support Service
With your support, we plan to introduce a specialist mental health service designed specifically for people undergoing or considering breast reconstruction.
The service will aim to provide:
One-to-One Counselling
Professional counselling sessions will offer individuals a safe, confidential space to explore their emotions, manage anxiety, process their experiences, and build resilience throughout diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Group Support Sessions
Peer-led and professionally facilitated group sessions will connect people with others who truly understand what they are going through. These supportive communities will help reduce feelings of isolation, encourage open conversations, and create lasting networks of support.
Support Throughout the Entire Journey
From the moment reconstruction becomes a consideration through to rehabilitation and recovery, this service will help people make informed decisions, navigate emotional challenges, and regain confidence in themselves and their future.
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“Keeping Abreast played a pivotal role in my journey back in 2017/18, as I began to navigate the path of breast reconstruction surgery after my diagnosis in 2015. This was a challenging time, especially as it came just weeks after learning I was pregnant with my son, who is now almost ten years.”- Keeping Abreast Beneficiary
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“With under two weeks until my operation, I am starting to become quite anxious and questioning choices, which I presume is natural, but I know I need to do this and with your charity and support, I can!”- Keeping Abreast Beneficiary
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“I'm so pleased to have just watched the video on FB of Carolyn from Keeping Abreast answering questions about breast reconstruction and the psychological impact...They are exactly what I'm looking for to help make a decision. So thank you, thank you, thank you!”- Keeping Abreast Beneficiary
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"I can't tell you how much it helped to be in touch with you… you were so helpful. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I went into surgery full of fear and you've really helped me..." - Keeping Abreast Beneficiary
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"It took a lot of worry away, especially fearing the unknown. It was lovely to hear her confidence and positivity at the end of the call..." - Keeping Abreast Beneficiary
Double Your Impact During Small Charity Week
Thanks to match funding from the Big Give and People's Postcode Lottery, every donation will be doubled while matched funding lasts.
That means:
- £10 becomes £20
- £25 becomes £50
- £100 becomes £200
Together, we can raise £10,000 and unlock a total of £20,000 to bring this vital service to life.
Watch the video below to see how the Big Give 1:1 match funding model works:
If you need any support with your donation or have a question about our campaign, please don't hesitate to get in touch using the form below or by calling our office on 01603 819113.
