“No-one should have to face breast cancer alone.”

That is the message from a Hampshire charity which is now one step closer to opening a centre to support thousands of people battling the disease.

Cancer support centre The Haven in Wessex has reached a major fundraising milestone after raising more than half its target and will open the doors of number 35 The Square, its Grade Two listed building in Titchfield to the public on Saturday ahead of renovation work.

But £1.1 million is still needed to meet the £2.5 million total – and now the charity is calling on your help to open as soon as possible.

Community fundraiser Heidi Rehman, says: “With almost 3,000 people on treatment in the south for breast cancer, there is a giant need for the centre to be opened as soon as possible so we can start making a difference to people’s relationship with breast cancer.”

Daily Echo:

It’s a cause close to the 41-year-old mum-of-two’s heart. Heidi has survived breast cancer twice and knows firsthand the difference emotional and physical support can make.

The Haven is the UK’s only specialist breast cancer charity that offers completely free of charge, bespoke one-to-one support to anyone affected by breast cancer at any time in their life.

Anyone can self-refer to the centre where they can talk to experts about everything from financial worries to nutrition, receive a tailor-made programme of complementary therapies such as yoga and acupuncture, and meet others battling cancer.

Heidi explains: “My personal experience following diagnosis was of immense shock and fear. The emotional trauma that diagnosis and surgery brought took time to process and some days, it was difficult to cope.

“Watching family and friends anguish was hard so I tended to get on with it so I didn’t worry them.

“I know how much it would have helped me to come to terms emotionally and to cope with the physical effects of surgery and treatment if I had been able to access The Haven.

“It is called The Haven for reason. When you enter, it’s like a bubble of calm, positivity, warmth, understanding and hope. It’s a sanctuary.

“It gives our visitor the chance to come to terms emotionally and physically with their breast cancer in their own time.”

The Daily Echo-backed fundraising appeal was launched in April 2013.

Daily Echo:

Since that time the charity has raised more than one million through a series of events, challenges, grants from trusts, foundations and major donations including gaining celebrity and royal support.

HRH Sophie The Countess of Wessex gave the centre the royal seal of approval on a visit in June and presenter of BBC South Today Sally Taylor is the chair of the charity’s appeal committee.

But before the planned opening in 2015, the team of fundraisers need to raise the remaining £1.1 million in order to complete the refurbishment of the building to transform it into a calming sanctuary and secure the first two years’ running costs.

Heidi, says: “With one in eight diagnosed with breast cancer, we all know someone who has been touched. We need to reach out to people’s imaginations to see how our building will look and how we will improve people’s lives.

“We need a call to action from people to help thing of ways to fundraise and raise awareness for us - whether it be school fetes, events, marathon running, tea parties or challenges.

“The sooner this money is raised, the sooner we can start making a difference.”

*For more information, to volunteer for the charity or to donate, go to thehaven.org.uk Everyone is welcome to The Haven’s open day this Saturday from 10am until 4pm.

For details email Heidi.rehman@thehaven.org.uk

 

Facts and figures

Over half a million people in the UK are now living with breast cancer and this figure is expected to double by 2030.

The Haven has welcomed 12,000 visitors and 155,791 therapy appointments in its three centres in London, Hereford and Leeds.

It costs The Haven £1,000 to provide each visitor with a programme of up to 10 therapy sessions.