Sting sings to support Maggie’s as part of Giving Tuesday Now
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To mark Giving Tuesday Now world-renowned artist Sting has recorded a special version of his hit song Message In A Bottle in aid of Maggie’s, a charity that provides support for people with cancer.
The singer said: “I hope to help to shine a light on the important work that Maggie’s is doing to support cancer patients at this most difficult time.
"I know how crucial Maggie’s professional, practical and emotional support is at the best of times, but it is needed now more than ever.
The organisation offers assistance to people struggling with fear and anxiety around treatment delays.
Maggie’s estimates that around 58 per cent of people living with cancer have had treatment delayed, postponed or affected in some way by the coronavirus.
For many people with cancer who are also self-isolating and dealing with heightened fear and anxiety, the professional support offered by Maggie’s by phone, email or online is needed more than ever before.
People like mum-of-four Lesley Stephen, who is living with advanced cancer and is particularly worried about how the coronavirus will affect her treatment.
She said: “Advanced cancer is a completely different ball game to early cancer in that the nature of it means that my cancer can never be cured.
"I have been on a clinical trial drug which has miraculously kept me alive for the past four years.
“I’m always worried that this could be my last Christmas, my last spring, my last summer, but the Coronavirus has added another layer to my anxiety because I’m due to have treatment and it’s uncertain whether this will go ahead.
“It’s a very unnerving time for advanced cancer patients.”
Maggie’s chief executive Laura Lee said: “A big thank you to Sting for taking time to record such a brilliant version of Message In A Bottle in support of us and everyone living with cancer across Great Britain.
"People with cancer do need us now more than ever and we need people to help us in order to be able to offer support during these unprecedented times.”
Since Maggie’s opened its first centre in 1996, the charity has developed a programme of support that is proven to help people with cancer and their loved ones take back control.
Maggie’s relies almost entirely on voluntary donations to be able to offer it's high quality, professional support, and anybody who wishes can donate £3 by texting MAG to 70007.
For further information about Maggie’s you can go to www.maggiescentres.org.
Check out Sting's performance here:
