As some will know, Maggie’s Cancer Care was founded in 1995 by the late Maggie Keswick Jencks, and the centre as we know it today; was established at Swansea in 2011. Having been fully operational for the last 8 years it currently supports a network of approximately 900,000 people in the South West Wales region. The service provided at Maggie’s has been recognised as second to none by the many that it supports.
The team at Maggie’s offer practical advice, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family or friends. They are places to find advice about benefits, eating well and somewhere you will find qualified experts to provide emotional support; places to meet other people or simply sit quietly with a cup of tea.
We take time out to talk to Paul Iskander; a patient and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor; as he tells us why Maggie’s is so important to him. 
Paul, from Bridgend tells us:
“As a two-time Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor (originally Stage 1 in 2008 and Stage 3 in 2017: age 22 and 31 respectively), Maggie’s Swansea has been one of the key charities that myself and my carers have benefitted from.
“At Maggie’s Swansea, the activities, support and classes available, in addition to the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, have both benefitted myself and those around me immensely. It’s helped me continue to drive towards the light at the end of a long tunnel and return to a normal productive lifestyle quicker than I could have imagined.”
As a result, Paul has decided to raise money for Maggie’s Cancer Care; a lead charity partner to the upcoming JCP Swansea Half Marathon on 23rd June 2019. Maggie’s became a charity partner to the race 3 years ago, which has raised much-needed funds for the centre to continue its important work.
Paul added:
“As someone who only really took up running as a means of trying to help return to fitness back in April 2018…. the improvements it has made have been scarcely believable! So much so, that I’m ready and lucky enough to be able to give something back.
“The JCP Swansea Half Marathon is very fitting event considering my experience and recovery. It’ll be satisfying and emotional running past Singleton Hospital and Maggie’s, where all 12 chemotherapies, bone marrow biopsy, consultations, appointments, as well as a full week stay as an inpatient took place. So please donate a little to support a local charity so that it can continue to help people with cancer, their families and friends through one of life’s most grueling experiences.”
To find out more about Maggie’s Swansea, how you can donate or even register to secure your race place at the JCP Swansea Half Marathon contact: Leanne Jennett on 01792 200 001 or email: [email protected] Places are limited to the multi-award winning race and must be secured by the 19thJune, so if you are considering on joining #TeamMaggies atthe JCP Swansea Half Marathon go to: http://www.swanseahalfmarathon.co.uk/maggies/
The event will take place on Sunday 23rdJune starting at 10am from the Brangwyn Hall. It is a fully marshalled road race on closed roads that is flat, fast and on a course that is perfect for beginners, and first time half marathon runners. The route takes runners through the city along Swansea Bay to Mumbles, and returns through SA1 to finish at Swansea Museum.
Volunteers from Maggie’s will also be supporting runners at the event with cheers of encouragement along the route, and to greet them at the race village near the finish line. The charity and organisers are urging everyone to support the event in their own way whether it’s; cheering, volunteering, taking part or gifting a donation, everybody can make this event something special for Swansea.
