EDITOR’S LETTER

Everyone needs future dreams…including us.

Adaptation has been a vital part of Future Dreams’ response to the dramatic impact of Covid-19.

I’m sure many of you reading this are thinking and living very differently than you were 12 months ago. It has been the same for us. Like all charities, we have faced – and are still facing – big challenges with fund-raising. But an amazing thing has come out of these difficult times.

We have been reacting to the increasingly desperate needs of breast cancer patients during lockdown by doing far more work on the front line. We have developed new and dynamic ways of giving direct practical and emotional support, working hand-in-hand with the wonderful NHS.

It has been upsetting seeing increased problems of isolation and hardship. It has, however, enabled us to build an incredibly powerful new network of patients, survivors and breast care nurses who are constantly feeding into us their experiences. It has meant we can be instantly reactive, providing help where it’s needed, and we’ve been able to connect patients and their families to much-needed resources at this difficult time.

It was only back in March, but it seems a lifetime ago that we raised £35,000 with our inspiring International Women’s Day Lunch, sponsored by Estée Lauder Companies. We met at The Arts Club in London’s Mayfair to hear broadcaster and breast cancer survivor Victoria Derbyshire chatting to a wonderful panel, including cookery writer Prue Leith, Cold Feet star Fay Ripley and Casualty actress and breast cancer survivor Amanda Mealing.

Two weeks later, the UK was plunged into

lockdown and Future Dreams had to adjust to safeguarding our charity’s survival. The uncertainty of how Covid-19 would impact our lives, meant all our fundraising events were immediately postponed to 2021. We faced 12 months without income.

We knew we had to be resourceful and deal head-on with these difficult circumstances. We were also instantly aware and concerned that the pandemic would have a critical impact on all those touched by breast cancer. Our move was to step up to the front line and support our beloved NHS and its breast cancer patients in these unprecedented times. Whether newly diagnosed or in the middle of chemo treatment and surgery, both patients and medics were dealing with the unknown.

Bernie Phelan, breast care nurse and close friend of Future Dreams, felt overwhelmed by the volume of patients having to come into the hospital alone for treatment and surgery and then having to leave quickly to avoid the virus. Bernie has always prided herself on spending quality time with her patients, getting to know them and guide and soothe them with her experience and knowledge. Sadly, due to Covid-19 restrictions within the hospital, this was no longer possible.

Future Dreams immediately created a special leaflet, Bernie’s Advice, containing all her tips for those touched by breast cancer – what to expect and how to cope when back at home. We also included in the leaflet further guidance from a clinical psychologist on how to cope with anxiety, exercises post-surgery from a physiotherapist and practical advice on how to buy online and then fit a post-surgery bra.

The leaflet led to our Care Package initiative. We wanted all patients going through breast cancer during lockdown to know they were not alone and to make their experience of treatment a little brighter. We provided bags of loving and thoughtful treats for breast care teams to hand out when their patient one-to-one time was limited. We started our Care Package project with four NHS Trusts and it has expanded to over 21 nationwide, delivering over 4,000 packages.

Our practical support continued with giveaways of over 2,500 mastectomy bras from brands such as Royce, Naturana and Amoena, plus much-needed softies (fabriccovered temporary breast prostheses) following the postponement of reconstruction surgeries during lockdown.

In response to the demands on the NHS and the lack of cold cap facilities during the pandemic, we also supplied hundreds of head scarves that were donated by our loyal ambassador, jewellery company Lola Rose. Hundreds of drain bags, designed by Drain Dollies, were also given away.

New and old relationships have blossomed and grown during lockdown. This year we are delighted to be working closely with the magnificent Leanne Pero from the Black Women Rising project. Leanne is now part of the Future Dreams family and it is vital that we focus on inclusivity and shared knowledge while lifting taboos for all those affected by breast cancer.

We continue to support our fantastic ambassador Helen Addis with the ITV Lorraine show Change And Check campaign. Since its launch in October 2019, over 30 women have had early diagnoses, having been alerted by information on changing room stickers. It compounds our belief that early detection saves lives.

We also worked on creating the Sisterhood Bra campaign. We are shouting loudly and proudly about it on our front cover. In a nutshell, for every Future Dreams Sisterhood Bra purchased by a woman who has not been through breast cancer, a postsurgery bra will be donated to a woman undergoing surgery who needs financial assistance. Plus, 20% of net proceeds from every mastectomy bra sold by Naturana will be donated to Future Dreams. It’s a way for all of us to provide support – literally!

Blink Brow Bar is another amazing brand wanting to unite on a project very close to our hearts. In the summer of 2019 Taj Giles, BBB managing director, had recently been diagnosed with primary and secondary breast cancer and had lost her hair and eyebrows due to chemo treatment. She turned to her own products to restore both her brows and her self confidence. Working alongside Sarah Jossel, beauty director at The Sunday Times Style magazine, she devised a way to help other women in the same situation. Half of the proceeds of sales of BBB’s Dreams Brows Palette is now going to Future Dreams and #BeautyBOSS Sarah has created special video tutorials for anyone wanting to raise their own brow game.

Editor’s LETTER

Future Dreams prides itself on connecting to this extended family of contacts, creating a support system of information, advice, hope and friendship. If we can’t help, we know someone who can!

Understanding there is a new normal, there will be a host of Future Dreams events and campaigns to look forward to in 2021. With your loyal support we can hopefully get back on track and raise vital funds for breast cancer support, awareness and important research.

Finally, like everybody else, we have been inspired by the amazing Captain Sir Tom Moore, who has shown the importance of still having future dreams, despite turning 100 years old. During lockdown, he devoted his time to raising a staggering £33m for the NHS and I would like to end my Editor’s letter this year with his inspirational words.

‘For all those finding it difficult: the sun will shine on you again and the clouds will go away.’

Sam Jacobs, Future Dreams magazine editor

Future Dreams Founders Sylvie and Danielle

Future Dreams is a charity helping women diagnosed with breast cancer to step beyond their diagnosis and move forward with their lives. We aim to help all those touched by breast cancer to ensure nobody faces this illness alone. We offer practical and emotional care and fund awareness, support and research. If we can’t help, we will always try to find someone who can.