Turning up for my first chemotherapy appointment was a very daunting experience. The cancer pathway is inevitably very clinical and medicalised, but support provided such as the Heart of Headland Box I received brought in much needed holistic care, at an especially overwhelming time.

Chemotherapy is hard going, so to have items to aid with the side effects provided from day one took away some of the worries of having to feel prepared for the unknown.

My Box was funded by a previous cancer patient, and it feels fitting to pay it forward to whoever ends up in receipt of this devastating diagnosis, and need for some holistic support next...

You can find out more about the Heart of Headland Box scheme, and the amazing founder, Amy, (who has helped Mel and me so much over the weeks) here:

https://charity.royalcornwallhospitals.nhs.uk/2023/11/06/heart-of-headland-boxes/

And here:

The news that you have Cancer and will be embarking on chemo or immunotherapy can be devastating and overwhelming to our patients.

We want to make those patients feel cared for beyond the medical treatment that they receive, and we hope that you will join us in our mission. Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity are working in partnership with Cancer Services at Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust to launch a special project to provide Heart of Headland Boxes to patients receiving Chemo and Immunotherapy at our hospitals.

The boxes will contain items such as a thermometer, pill pots to organise their medications, hand creams, cotton hats, relaxation products, ginger tea, sucking boiled sweets, using a soft toothbrush, keeping hydrated, using simple products, bringing items to the unit to keep them occupied.