Bilingual FCN guide to support farming families affected by cancer
The Farming Community Network (FCN Cymru) is launching a new bilingual guide designed to support farming families impacted by cancer.
The guide, titled A Guide for Farming Families Affected by Cancer, will be launched at this year's Royal Welsh Show on Monday, July 20.
According to FCN, the guide offers "practical information to help individuals and families manage the impact of a cancer diagnosis while continuing to navigate the demands of farming and rural life.
"It includes guidance on accessing support, balancing treatment with farming responsibilities, and signposting to organisations that can help.
"Copies of the guide will be available throughout the Royal Welsh Show on FCN Cymru's stand and can also be requested by anyone unable to attend".
FCN said the guide is created specifically with the realities of farming life in mind and developed by farmers with lived experience of cancer.
The launch
The publication has been produced as part of the Rural Communities Cancer Project, FCN's UK-wide partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support to improve awareness and reduce inequalities experienced by people living and working in rural communities.
Representatives from the agricultural, health and voluntary sectors will speak at the launch on July 20 about how organisations can further support communities affected by cancer.
A panel discussion will take place, chaired by the national lead for Wales at Macmillan Cancer Support, Kate Williams, and featuring a number of guests, including John Saunders Davies, a fencing contractor with a terminal cancer diagnosis.
The panel discussion will focus on the Rural Communities Cancer Project, and highlight the importance of raising awareness of cancer signs and symptoms, encouraging earlier diagnosis, and ensuring people living in rural communities know where to turn for support.
The impact
FCN's national manager for Wales Linda Jones spoke about the impact a cancer diagnosis can have on a farming family.
"A cancer diagnosis affects the whole family, but for farming families the challenges can be even greater," she said.
"Time away from the farm, concerns about livestock, financial pressures and the practical realities of rural living can all make an already difficult situation even more challenging.
"This new bilingual guide has been created to provide practical, easy-to-understand information that reflects the unique circumstances of farming life.
"We hope it will give people confidence to seek support, start conversations and know that they do not have to face cancer alone," Jones said.
Macmillan's external affairs manager for Wales, Rhian Stangroom-Teel said: "At Macmillan we believe that the work you do, or where you live, shouldn't determine the quality of the care you receive.
"This vitally important new guide will help signpost farming families to the support they need, and it has been created by farmers, for farmers.
"Partnerships like the Rural Communities Cancer Project are central to Macmillan's work in helping everyone with cancer to get the care and support they need, where and when they need it the most.
"We want to make sure that no one is left to face cancer alone".
John Saunders Davies shared his experience with cancer, saying: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help following a cancer diagnosis. Asking for help is a really important first step to take".
Visitors to the Royal Welsh Show can access the guide at stand 768-Cat and learn about FCN Cymru's work supporting farming families.
