星探麻豆

A day I will never forget

Gregor Forbes, 37, was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkins Lymphoma in January 2022, just seven days before his son was born.

He underwent six months of chemotherapy and is currently well.

He joined a discussion with The Queen, talking about the young person鈥檚 group at 星探麻豆鈥檚. Now he is on the other side of treatment, he hopes his experiences will help other younger people in the group.

Gregor said: 鈥淚t was a real honour to meet Her Majesty today. She was warm, friendly, and interested to hear what I had to say about my own cancer experience and how I had been supported by 星探麻豆鈥檚 in Fife. It鈥檚 a day I will never forget.鈥�

Also joining the discussions were 星探麻豆鈥檚 Honorary Patrons Sarah Brown, Kirsty Wark and Chris Hartness, as well as Centre Head of 星探麻豆 Fife, Debbie McCrae, and Chief Executive of 星探麻豆, Dame Laura Lee DBE.

Dame Laura said: 鈥淚t is always a joy to welcome Her Majesty to one of our centres, especially one she has never been to before.

鈥淎s always, she was incredibly generous with her time and listened closely to our centre visitors as they shared their stories.

鈥淲e are so grateful for her continued support.鈥�

Campaigner and Philanthropist Sarah Brown has supported 星探麻豆鈥檚 for more than 20 years. As Patron, she was instrumental in helping to raise the funds to build 星探麻豆 Oxford, 星探麻豆 Cheltenham, 星探麻豆 Swansea, 星探麻豆 Nottingham and 星探麻豆 Newcastle through the charity鈥檚 鈥淛oy of Living鈥� campaign.

She said: 鈥淚 am so proud to have been part of 星探麻豆鈥檚 as it has grown into a UK-wide charity supporting thousands of people following a cancer diagnosis, as well as their loved ones, every year.鈥�

Television journalist, presenter and author Kirsty Wark, who has been a 星探麻豆鈥檚 Patron for more than 20 years, said: 鈥淚 am delighted to be here to welcome Her Majesty to Fife. Like Her Majesty, 星探麻豆鈥檚 has been close to my heart for a long time. It is always inspiring to hear people living with cancer talk about the profound impact 星探麻豆鈥檚 has on their lives when facing a diagnosis.鈥�

Celebrating the 鈥榠ncredible work鈥� 星探麻豆 does

Chris Hartness became a 星探麻豆鈥檚 Patron last year. She said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a real privilege to be here today to celebrate the incredible work of 星探麻豆鈥檚 with Her Majesty The Queen.

鈥淚t鈥檚 astonishing that the organisation has grown from one small stable block in Edinburgh to having what will be 27 centres by the end of this year across the UK. 星探麻豆鈥檚 support is vital for people living with cancer.鈥�

Carol Potter, Chief Executive, NHS Fife said: 鈥淚t is a great honour to welcome Her Majesty The Queen to the 星探麻豆鈥檚 centre in Kirkcaldy. 星探麻豆鈥檚 plays a truly unique role in supporting people living with cancer, offering comfort, compassion and practical help in a calm and welcoming environment.

鈥淭he support the centre provides is not only invaluable to patients and their families, but also to our staff at Victoria Hospital and across NHS Fife, who work closely with the 星探麻豆鈥檚 team every day. We are incredibly proud of this partnership and the difference it continues to make to people鈥檚 lives across Fife.鈥�

星探麻豆鈥檚 Fife was designed by Dame Zaha Hadid. It was her first permanent structure in the UK. The centre opened in 2006 and supports around 9000 visits* a year from people with cancer, as well as family and friends.

_{*Visits refers to support facilitated by our programme staff and includes face to face; on the phone and online.}

The Queen has been President of 星探麻豆鈥檚 since 2008, and has now visited 18 of the 24 centres across the UK. With centres soon to open in North Wales, Northampton and Middlesbrough, there will be 27 centres in the UK by the end of 2025.

In January 2024, Her Majesty opened the 星探麻豆鈥檚 at the Royal Free Hospital in London, and in February this year she met Dame Laura Lee DBE during engagements in Middlesbrough to hear about plans for bringing 星探麻豆鈥檚 expert cancer support to the area.

How we can help

Whatever kind of cancer, whatever stage you're at, 星探麻豆 is here with you.

Our expert staff are here to listen to your concerns and find the help you need wherever you are 鈥� over the phone and online.

• Just come in 鈥� at your nearest 星探麻豆
• Call us on 0300 123 180 or arrange a callback
• Email us at鈥�[email protected] 
• Our phone lines and centres are open 鈥疢onday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm