Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres partner with Football Aid

Maggie’s is ‘over the moon’ (to coin an old football catchphrase) to be working with Football Aid. By taking part in one of these fantastic events you will be helping Maggie’s to support people affected by cancer.

Football Aid are keen to raise as much money as possible for Maggie’s and some of this year’s matches will be raising much needed funds for cancer support services.

To illustrate how much the support Football Aid means to Maggie’s and how Maggie’s helps people to live with cancer, we caught up with someone who uses their centres, someone who works with Maggie’s and one of their key supporters.

Bruce Tasker was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009, after successfully battling the disease he discovered a small tumour in his back in April 2010 and has just finished chemotherapy. Bruce accesses support from Maggie’s Centres in Dundee and Edinburgh.

Bruce said: “Football like cancer often presents an uncertain outcome and so great teamwork and a positive outlook is hugely important.

"Maggie's, provides experienced support, camaraderie and coaching - things that are so important to have at your back if your going to win the game! Maggie's has helped me over the past 16 months of turmoil, ups and downs, good times and bad times. That teamwork is hugely important to people like me as we battle on day after day.”

Andrew Anderson is the Centre Head at Maggie’s Edinburgh, which receives over 18,000 visits per year. Andrew said: “150,000 men are diagnosed with cancer every year. Cancer is a multi-faceted disease with emotional, psychological and physical ramifications. Often men come into Maggie's seeking help for how they can support their family and how they can be there for their partner who has cancer. At Maggie's we would always encourage men to take time for themselves and seek the support that they most need. We're delighted that at the moment 35% of visitors to Maggie's are men; although we are always keen to see more men through our doors.”

Former Scotland international Christian Dailly, who has played with Dundee United, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United, Rangers and is currently with Charlton Athletic is patron for Maggie’s Dundee Centre. Christian is fully aware of the impact a diagnosis of cancer can have after losing his Dad when he was younger.

Christian said: "My family and I have been involved with Maggie's for a number of years now and it has been fantastic to watch the charity develop. Every year Maggie's is helping more and more people to live with, through and beyond cancer. Throughout my career journey I've realised the importance of, and been extremely thankful for, support from fans, colleagues, coaches and managers. Maggie's realise how important it is for people living with cancer and their families and friends to be able to access support on their journey. I am delighted and excited that Maggie's is teaming up with Football Aid and I know that the funds raised will make a huge difference, as will the increased awareness about Maggie's."

David Dale, Executive Director of Football Aid commented: “We are delighted to be working with Maggie’s and are committed to raising much needed funds for this magnificent charity. It is perhaps even more poignant for Football Aid as our first ever Patron – the late Sir Bobby Robson lost his life to cancer, and our current Patron Denis Law suffered from prostate cancer. From visiting a number of the Maggie’s Centres I have seen first hand just how important their facilities are to those who have been affected by cancer. Here at Football Aid we are committed to the fundraising we will bring to Maggie’s.”