Latest news with #Maggies
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Lucy Beaumont makes 'amazing' gesture after costing charity £79,000 on The Wheel
Lucy Beaumont has made a huge gesture towards a cancer charity after losing £79,000 on The Wheel. The comedian was competing in Michael McIntyre's BBC game show to win money for various contestants. The game sees a series of participants, guided by celebrity experts, attempting to answer their way to a fortune. However, after leading one of the participants astray, Lucy is now pleading with the public to help raise some money. Taking to Instagram, Lucy wrote to Newcastle City Hall saying: 'Hello, I'm a comedian (Lucy Beaumont) I recorded an episode of Michael McIntyre's The Wheel the other night and I lost a cancer survivor £79,000. 'I've done the show before and lost someone £98,000. 'The contestant in question is a Newcastle lad and top bloke and was trying to raise money for the charity Maggies. 'Could I put on a comedy charity night at your venue with a great line up to try and raise some money?' The comedian went on to add: 'I'll put my hand in my pocket too.' Towards the end of last year, Lucy finally broke her silence regarding her split from fellow comedian Jon Richardson. The pair announced they had 'jointly and amicably made the difficult decision to divorce and go our separate ways', just after the fifth season of their show hit screens. It was also reported that Jon agreed to a seven-figure payout from Lucy. The comedians were married in 2015 after being set up by a fellow comedian and mutual friend, After Life's Roisin Conaty. The pair welcomed their daughter in 2016. But Lucy told OK! Magazine: 'People might think I should talk about it because we were so public and everyone knew us as a couple, but I won't, and not because there's any animosity. More Trending 'We both agreed that while it might be weird for other people not hearing anything about it, we wouldn't talk about anything to do with the marriage or each other.' The couple's relationship was well-known to the public, largely due to their comedic collaborations, including the popular TV show Meet The Richardsons, which showed the world their married life. View More » Their chemistry both on and off-screen made them a favourite among fans, but despite their working partnership, their marriage ended with Jon paying Lucy a settlement of £1.625million. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Race Across the World's Sioned shouldn't be sneered at for her tears MORE: We travelled 14,000km on Race Across the World — this is the one place everyone should visit MORE: 'He's not coming back': Casualty confirms death tragedies as BBC drops new trailer
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cancer patients 'priced out' of holidays, charity warns
Cancer patients are being "priced out" of holidays due to "extremely unfair" travel insurance costs, a charity has cancer support charity said patients and those with a history of the disease were "frequently" being quoted premiums of thousands of pounds, while some were being refused cover chief executive, Dame Laura Lee, said: "We know how stressful a cancer diagnosis can be, and the last thing people should have to think about is inflated insurance costs."The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said the "significant costs" associated with emergency treatment abroad for pre-existing medical conditions were taken into account when offering cover. In a statement, Dame Lee emphasised the "emotional distress" caused by "barriers" to obtaining travel insurance for people with said: "Travelling and taking holidays can be so important for someone's wellbeing and recovery, and it is extremely unfair that people with cancer are being priced out of the opportunity to visit family and friends abroad or simply explore the world."Maggie's has called on the Treasury, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and insurers to jointly develop recommendations to ensure cancer patients are "treated more fairly" by providers. 'Completely unaffordable' Josh Cull, 28, told BBC Breakfast he went through "a year of hell" in 2021 after being treated for a brain tumour which affected his eyesight and ability to walk. "I then decided, you know what, I'm going to live some life now," he while searching for insurance for a trip to South East Asia with his fiancée and brother, Mr Cull said the lowest quote he could find was £3,000, which he described as "completely unaffordable"."[That was] despite being two-and-a-half years clean, no recurring conditions. I was completely healthy," he Cull said he decided to travel without insurance, having had most of his savings "wiped out" by his time off work for treatment."I [didn't] want it to stop me living my life," he said, adding that he instead took other more "affordable" precautions ahead of the trip, such as getting "extra vaccines".A spokesperson for the ABI said in a statement that it "remained committed" to supporting customers who have or have had cancer. "As part of a signposting agreement introduced by the FCA, if an insurer is unable to offer you cover because of a pre-existing medical condition, they will point you to specialist providers who can help you find an appropriate policy."A 2018 report by the FCA warned that cancer patients were struggling to find affordable travel insurance, even long after their treatment had BBC has approached the Treasury for comment.
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cancer centre to be built on former Royal Liverpool Hospital site
A new cancer centre is set to be built on the site of a former hospital, which is in the final stages of demolition. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital's 11-storey ward block has been demolished, with contractors now preparing the site for redevelopment, NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group said. Construction will soon begin on a new podium and entrance to improve access to the new hospital, with work set to be finished in Autumn 2026. A wider plan for the site includes a Liverpool centre for Manchester-based cancer charity Maggie's, which is set to open in 2027, the group said. Plans are also under way to build the University of Liverpool's health and life sciences campus - which will house medical, dental and nurse training facilities - on the site. The hospital, which opened in 1978, was decommissioned when the new hospital opened on the neighbouring site in October 2022. Chief executive of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, James Sumner, said: "Demolishing the old site in such close proximity to the new Royal and neighbouring buildings has been a complex project and reaching this milestone is a significant achievement."He said the masterplan for the former hospital's site would be developed with the "health and wellbeing of our patients and local communities at its heart". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Daily Mail
05-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Cancer patients are being 'priced out' of going on holiday by travel insurance companies who quote than unaffordable premiums or even refuse them cover
Cancer patients are being 'priced out' of holidays due to 'inflated' travel insurance, a charity has claimed. Support group Maggie's said sufferers and those in recovery are 'frequently' refused cover or quoted unaffordable premiums. The result is that patients are forced to take trips without insurance or cancel plans altogether. The concern is that they miss out on visiting friends and family abroad and avoid business travel. Maggie's has called on Treasury minister Emma Reynolds to help work with travel insurance companies and the Financial Conduct Authority to get a fairer insurance deal. Dame Laura Lee, chief executive of Maggie's, said: 'More and more frequently, we are hearing about the barriers people with cancer face when trying to obtain travel insurance and the emotional distress this can cause. 'The last thing people should have to think about is inflated insurance costs when they should be focused on recovering. 'Travelling and taking holidays can be so important for someone's wellbeing and recovery. 'It is extremely unfair that people with cancer are being priced out of the opportunity to visit family and friends abroad or simply explore the world.' Josh Cull, of Bournemouth, was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma brain tumour in 2021 when aged 25. After treatment, he decided to visit south Asia but could not find a company to cover him for a price he could afford. Mr Cull, now 28, said: 'My cancer was completely unexpected, especially as I was so young, and initially I was told I only had three months to live. I went through chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as surgery to remove a tumour, which affected my eyesight and ability to walk. 'It was an incredibly difficult time but I was lucky to come out the other side – and the trip was supposed to be a reward for everything we'd been through. However, I couldn't get an insurance quote for less than £3,000. 'I had been out of treatment and I was healthy and fully recovered. It felt so unfair. I ended up travelling uninsured because I just couldn't afford the cover.' Millie Tharakan, 72, from north London, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and the disease returned in 2020. She has been receiving immunotherapy and has CT scans. Millie Tharakan, 72, from north London, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and the disease returned in 2020. She has been receiving immunotherapy and has CT scans. Despite being declared fit to fly, she had to spend £1,300 on annual cover for travel in Europe (file image) Despite being declared fit to fly, she had to spend £1,300 on annual cover for travel in Europe. Ms Tharakan, a grandmother, said: 'We wanted to go on a family holiday but it has been incredibly stressful. Most companies would not even consider covering me.' A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers said: 'People with pre-existing medical conditions may be more likely to need emergency medical treatment whilst abroad, which can come at a significant cost. 'As part of a signposting agreement introduced by the FCA, if an insurer is unable to offer you cover because of a pre-existing medical condition, they will point you to specialist providers who can help find an appropriate policy.' The Treasury has been approached for comment.
The Sun
02-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Dad ‘desperate for a holiday' blamed exhaustion on work only for his daughter to spot sign of killer ravaging his body
AN EXHAUSTED dad was desperate for a holiday - but he got a deadly diagnosis after his daughter spotted a subtle sign of the killer disease at the airport. Richard Bennett, 64, began to feel unwell in the days before his holiday to Portugal with his wife Lesly, 57, in May 2024. 6 6 6 But the dad dismissed his symptoms as he was "desperate" to get away for a break. Despite the tiredness he felt, Richard put it down to working and his general lifestyle catching up with him. Whilst on holiday, his condition worsened, and Richard noticed changes in his urine and faeces, as well as feeling weaker and struggling to eat. When his daughter, Sophie, 23, picked them up for the airport and exclaimed, "Dad, you're yellow," Richard knew he needed to get help as jaundice had set in. He went to St John's hospital, Livingston before being transferred to Royal Infirmary Edinburgh where he was diagnosed with stage four melanoma - a form of skin cancer - which had moved from its original site and formed a mass on his pancreas. After attempting to overcome the "shock to the system", Richard has remained determined to focus on his work as a swim coach whilst training for a cycle ride to raise money for cancer charity Maggie's. He is currently undergoing immunotherapy once every four weeks to manage his condition. Richard, from Whitburn, West Lothian, said: "It was quite a shock to the system. "It was so difficult for myself and my family. "Even just believing cancer had come to your door and chosen you. Sun Health Explainer: Skin cancer and moles "When I went to the hospital, and I spoke to some of the specialists, they told me it was melanoma, and they told me it was stage four. "All the thoughts in my head was, 'This is it, curtains for me'. "I didn't think there was much of a future left. "I didn't realise that all that stage four means is that the cancer has moved from the original site to somewhere else." Richard initially struggled with coming to terms with the tag of 'stage four' associated with his condition. 6 6 He said: "It's not necessarily a death sentence. "After reading Chris Hoy 's book, I understood more about that, and it's made such a difference." Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy revealed in October 2024 that his stage 4 prostate cancer was terminal, after being initially diagnosed with cancer in September 2023. He published his autobiography All That Matters at the end of last year. Richard said: "I'm trying to be strong for the kids at the swimming club, and when I reflect, there's no point in dwelling on it and being sad - I want to be upbeat and brave. What is melanoma, what are the symptoms and how can you prevent it? Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer that has a tendency to spread around the body. It is diagnosed 16,000 times per year, and tragically takes the lives of 2,340 people per year. The number of people being diagnosed with melanoma is increasing, and it is the 5th most common cancer in the UK. But it is also one of the most preventable cancers, with 86 per cent of cases in the UK avoidable. The best way to protect yourself from melanoma is to be sun safe - wear SPF every day, wear a hat and sunglasses and keep out of the sun in the hottest hours. It is also advised to avoid sunbeds. People who are fair-skinned, have blue or green eyes, blonde or red hair and a large number of freckles or moles are more likely to get skin cancer. Surgery is the main treatment for melanoma, particularly if it is found early. This will involve removing the affected tissue in the skin. Radiotherapy, medicines and chemotherapy are also sometimes used to try and stop the cancer from growing. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. What are the symptoms? The key thing to look out for are changes to an existing mole, or a new mole on your skin. Most experts recommend using the simple 'ABCDE' rule to look for symptoms of melanoma skin cancer, which can appear anywhere on the body. There are five letters/words to remember: A symmetrical – melanomas usually have two very different halves and are an irregular shape B order – melanomas usually have a notched or ragged border C olours – melanomas will usually be a mix of two or more colours D iameter – most melanomas are usually larger than 6mm in diameter E nlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma A mole that changes size, shape or colour may be a melanoma. But other signs to look out for include moles that are: Swollen and sore Bleeding Itchy Crusty How deadly is it? Melanoma is a deadly form of skin cancer. The outlook of a person's disease depends on the stage of the cancer when it was diagnosed. Survival is better for women than it is for men. 'We don't know exactly why this is. It may be because women are more likely to see a doctor about their melanoma at an earlier stage,' says Cancer Research UK. The charity says that generally, statistics show that in England, more than 85 out of every 100 people (more than 85 per cent) will survive their melanoma for 10 years or more after they are diagnosed. Around 100 per cent in England diagnosed with melanoma at stage 1 - when the cancer cells are only in the top layer of skin - will survive for five years or more after drops to 80 per cent for stage 2. Some 70 per cent live for a further five years when they are diagnosed in stage 3, which is when the cancer has started to spread to nearby lymph nodes. At stage 4, when the melanoma has spread elsewhere in the body, almost 30 per cent survive their cancer for 5 years or more. Cancer Research says the stage 4 data does not account for age differences. Age can affect outlook and younger people have a better prognosis than older people. Age can affect outlook and younger people have a better prognosis than older people. What is melanoma? Melanocytes are cells in the skin that give us the colour of our skin because they produce a pigment, known as melanin. When you sit in the sun, melanocytes produce more pigment (a sun tan), which spreads to other skin cells to protect them from the sun's rays. But melanocytes are also where cancer starts. Too much UV causes sunburn, and this is a sign of damage to the skin's DNA. The UV triggers changes in the melanocytes, which makes the genetic material become faulty and cause abnormal cell growth. People who burn easily are more at risk of skin cancer because their cells do not produce as much pigment to protect their skin. Those with albinism are at the most risk because their skin produces no pigment at all. "I'm surrounded by positive people and that in itself gave me a focus to keep going. I'm glad that the swimming club is there in my life. "And my family - even though I feel quite fit and well, even though I'm still trying to push on, they're always making sure I'm okay. "You're so used to looking after your kids and your family but they just took over and looked after me. "If I could turn the clock back, I would have acted immediately. "I don't think it would have made a big difference in respect to my diagnosis, but I would encourage anybody if things are not normal, then please speak to your doctor." Raising awareness Richard has now turned his attention to the Tour De 4 cycling challenge on September 7 - a 38-mile loop around Glasgow in support of cancer research. He said: "I had a mountain bike, and I quite liked going down the trails, but when I read Chris' book, he spoke about arranging the Tour de 4. "I said to my wife that this is something I want to do - it would be good to raise awareness. "As a stage four cancer patient, it would be great to raise money and help people just like me. "I've been blown away by the fundraiser - I was so touched by everybody's kindness. "A few days in, and it's over £900 - I can't believe that. "I'm still currently employed by Lloyds Banking, and their support has been outstanding, too." You can support Richard's fundraiser here.
