An award-winning East Lancashire Mosque is hosted a second awareness event to tackle some of the taboos around cancer within the community and showcase the local support available.
Masjid E Sajedeen organization, in Blackburn, joined forces with Macmillan Cancer Support last year to help challenge some of the misconceptions and highlight the importance of early intervention when someone receives a cancer diagnosis.
As part of the long-term project the Plane Tree Road Mosque, which recently won the MCB Community Kindness Award 2022, is hosting a series of awareness events, which will also help raise vital funds for the cancer charity.
The second Macmillan Cancer Support session was held on Sunday, 16th January, for men only, following the success of a women-only event staged in October.
Chairman of Masjid E Sajedeen, Councillor Salim Sidat MBE, said: “Our first event was a great success with around 100 people attending. It was really positive, we had some fantastic feedback and we offered some vital advice and support. Hopefully it will make a start in breaking down some of the barriers and misconceptions around cancer and enable people to reach out and get the vital help that is available to them.
“These events aim to help us help the local community care for their loved ones. We are urging anyone who is worried about cancer, or maybe has a family member who has had a diagnosis, to please come down and speak to our healthcare professionals. They can find out how Macmillan can help and support them, and their family, when they receive a cancer diagnosis.”
During the next event East Lancashire Hospital Trust staff, including a specialist consultant and nurse, will be on hand to showcase the emotional, financial and practical support that’s available locally. Macmillan’s North West Engagement team will also attend to try and establish what help and support is needed in the local community.
If the pioneering ‘breaking down barriers’ project is successful, the plan is to roll-out the model and work with other mosques and the wider community.
Louise Osgood, Macmillan’s Relationship Fundraising Manager for East Lancashire, added: “We are working alongside Masjid E Sajedeen because we know that being diagnosed with cancer is scary. But we are here to make sure people get the right help every step of the way, whether that’s concerns about physical issues, how you are feeling, money worries, or something different altogether. Wherever you are and whoever you are, Macmillan will do whatever it takes to make sure you have the support you need.”
