My Friend Has Cancer: A Journey of Friendship, Personalised Care, and Community
Over the last few months we’ve been working on a new project called My Friend Has Cancer. It’s a project that explores the healing power of friendship and the vital role personalised care can play. Let us tell you a bit about it.
My Friend Has Cancer is an audio story and guide, created to help people imagine themselves as the best friend of someone living with and through cancer. Grounded in the real-life experiences of people who have faced cancer, it sheds light on the critical role of personalised care in supporting someone through their journey. While doctors, medicine, and science fight cancer, people with cancer are living with and through it. They’re managing side effects, finding strength in what they can control, and navigating everyday complexities with courage. This resource is about helping friends, family, and professionals offer meaningful support.
When I tell you I have cancer for the first time.
And in our many conversations to come.
I want you to accept I might not always react how you expect I might.
I don’t want you to take things I say in moments of stress personally.
I want you to keep seeing me, even when there’s nothing to say or nothing to be done.
We were lucky enough to work with a lived experience group from Greater Manchester Cancer Patient Representatives. This lovely group were generous enough to share their experiences and infused the project with honesty, creativity, and courage. Every piece of this production – from the story to the reflective questions, even the beautiful saxophone music – was co-produced with them. Their voices bring real heart to this work.
Working with this brilliant group taught us that personalised care goes beyond the medical – it’s about addressing practical needs like finances, fertility, diet, and faith, while also helping people connect with others who understand what they’re going through. It’s about emotional support and community, all tailored to each unique person.
So, grab a coffee, take a moment, and listen to My Friend Has Cancer. Whether you’re supporting someone through their journey or just want to understand more about personalised care, we hope it gives you what it’s given us: a sense of connection, a lot of inspiration, and hope. Not just sit and wait hope, but smash down doors hope.
My Friend Has Cancer is a Made By Mortals production coproduced by Greater Manchester Cancer Patient Reps and funded by The Personalised Care team and Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement programme.
