Lift with letters
One group of people who really understand the emotive power of letters and the positive effects receiving them can bring, is the charity From Me to You.
Set up by Alison Hitchcock and Brian Greenley, From Me to You was developed as a result of Brian being diagnosed with bowel cancer. In a bid to help him through what is an incredibly isolating and terrifying experience, Alison began writing letters to Brian, providing the support and distraction he needed.
Brian has now fully recovered and, together with Alison, their mission is to encourage and inspire people to write letters to friends and family suffering from cancer.
From Me to You wants to build connections through letters, cards and postcards to help brighten a cancer patient’s day and let them know they are not alone.
People often write to friends or family members, but another very important strand to the charity’s work is its ‘Donate a Letter’ campaign. This sees people writing letters to an anonymous recipient, which the charity delivers to participating oncology ward inpatients around the country.
Alison said: ‘From Me to You hopes to see more people brightening the day of a patient by sending a postcard to let them know they are being thought of.’
Donate A Letter aims to reduce the social isolation and loneliness so often associated with cancer. Receiving a letter or card, even from someone you don’t know, can bring a connection and sense of comfort at a time of difficulty.
