JAM man from Alister Cook will be holding a number of fundraising events across the country on his birthday in support of Lymphoma Action.
Alister Cook, from Higher Whitley near Warrington, also known as the ‘Cheshire Jam Man’ first started fundraising for the Charity following his own diagnosis of lymphoma, a type of blood cancer in 2023.
Alister has raised over £2,000 by asking people to donate to Lymphoma Action in exchange for jars of his delicious homemade jams and preserves. Now in remission, Alister is keen to continue to support the Charity that provided information and support following his diagnosis by organising multiple fundraising events in the eight care homes he heads up across the country. Each care home will celebrate Alister’s 63rd birthday on Saturday 6 April with a tea party for residents and families, alongside other activities including raffles, live entertainment and best cake competitions.
“I discovered I had follicular lymphoma by chance following a routine prostate check” says Alister. “It’s one of the less aggressive cancers but I still needed treatment with a mixture of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. After a course of R-CVP chemotherapy, I am now on a maintenance treatment. Even though I feel lucky compared to people with more aggressive cancers, the chemotherapy has definitely weakened me and changed my mental outlook on work and life.”
“The big thing about my diagnosis was the mental effect of it” he continues. “That’s where I felt Lymphoma Action came in. I wasn’t really aware of the condition, it’s seriousness or even what the signs were. I think there’s a lot of publicity around many other cancers but not so much lymphoma. My prognosis has always been positive, but coming to terms with living with the condition has been my hardest challenge and the information and support the Charity offers is so helpful. It’s so vital to speak or listen to others who have been on a similar journey, and that’s why I support the Charity and will continue to do so.”
“We are so grateful to Alister, Brancaster Care Homes and Cinnabar Support and Living for their support” says Deana Cadden, Community and Campaigns Lead at Lymphoma Action. “Every 26 minutes one of us is diagnosed with lymphoma. Thanks to the support of people like Alister we can continue to provide vital information and support to make sure no one has to face lymphoma alone.”
Lymphoma Action are inviting people to become a Lymphoma Champion by connecting us with their employers, social clubs or any other network they may have to raise funds and awareness about lymphoma, the UK’s fifth most common cancer. Champion us today and support our work in providing people with the information and support they need during their lymphoma diagnosis, treatment and beyond. Please visit https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/be-our-champion for further details on how to support Lymphoma Action in making sure no one has to face lymphoma alone.
