Blackburn grandmother, 74, with terminal cancer given national award

Grandmother, Susan Haigh, 74, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2018 after visiting her GP with a persistent cough.

She had surgery at Blackpool Victoria Hospital to have part of her right lung removed and then received chemotherapy and immunotherapy at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

During this time Susan was treated with a chemotherapy drug called cisplatin and shortly after her treatment finished, Susan was back in the shop serving customers, sorting through donations and helping in any way she could.

Sadly, last year, Susan was told that her cancer is now terminal, after it unfortunately spread to her left lung.

Susan Haigh being presented with her award by CRUK director of fundraising Simon Ledsham (Image: Cancer Research UK)

The grandmother of three was presented with a national award and named a Cancer Research UK Honorary Fellow at the Flame of Hope Awards ceremony in Manchester on Wednesday (March 29).

Susan said: "I remember walking past the shop in the first few days it opened and thinking how lovely it was.

"I was in my 40s and my two boys were getting older, and I wanted to do something for me.

"So, I just popped in and signed up there and then. It’s hard to believe it’s been so long.

“I may have been here for more than 30 years. But I don’t feel like I am doing anything more than anyone else.

"We’re a great team at the Blackburn shop, with our amazing manager, Lisa. We’re like family.”

The charity’s annual Flame of Hope Awards acknowledge remarkable efforts in volunteering made by people from all walks of life and 2023 marks 20 years of the recognition scheme.

An audience at Manchester Hall heard how Susan has shown exceptional commitment, loyalty, and dedication to Cancer Research UK, after volunteering at the Northgate shop since the first week it opened its doors in 1990.

She added: “Being in the shop is one of the highlights of my week.

"I love chatting to our regular customers and meeting new people, I’ve met some lovely people over the years and made some great friends too. 

“I always buy and wear clothes from the shop, and I will tell people to get in there and find some bargains while also doing a good deed.

"It’s a great feeling helping to raise money in the hope of saving somebody else having to go through what I’ve had to in years to come.”

Her fundraising continues away from the shop, including raising £1600 with her husband Edward, when the couple requested donations to Cancer Research UK, instead of gifts for their golden wedding anniversary.

Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said: “Thanks to the dedication of almost 30,000 volunteers supporting us right across the charity – from fundraising and increasing awareness of cancer to helping run shops and events – Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of progress that has seen cancer survival in the UK double over the past 40 years.

“The Flame of Hope Awards give us the opportunity to celebrate and say thank you to those who have made outstanding contributions, and we’re proud to have presented almost 2,000 awards since the first ceremony back in 2003.”

Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, Jemma Humphreys, added: “These awards are our way of honouring incredible people like Susan who give their time freely to raise money for research and promote greater awareness of the disease, and yet ask for nothing in return.

“Every step we make towards beating cancer relies on every pound, every hour and every person.

“That’s why, with volunteer numbers having dropped significantly due to the pandemic, we’re encouraging people to get involved and start their journey to a potential Flame of Hope Award now.

“Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and learn new skills, and committing just one hour a week can help make a difference to people affected by this devastating disease.”