Cancer—a word that instils fear in even the strongest individuals—can literally affect anyone. Take the current and widely reported case of the Nolan Sisters, the famous girl group from Blackpool known for their international hits in the 70s and 80s. Despite their successes, they’ve faced numerous challenges, the most significant being the recurring battles with cancer.
Bernie Nolan was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and tragically passed away three years later. Their brother Brian also lost his wife to the disease two years after they got married. Anne and Linda Nolan were both diagnosed with cancer within just four days of each other, and around the same time, Linda lost her husband to skin cancer. Linda herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 but went into remission the following year. However, in 2017, she revealed a secondary cancer in her hip, which later spread to her liver in 2020. By 2023, the cancer had reached her brain, leading her to share that she had begun planning her funeral. She expressed her despair, saying, “I think it’s a one-way trip now…could cancer just leave me alone?”
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with one woman diagnosed every 10 minutes. Annually, around 55,000 women and 400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK. In England alone, approximately 46,000 people receive this diagnosis every year.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Patient Care Group (PCG)—a UCKG community initiative offering prayer, visits, and spiritual support to ease the burden on patients and their families—will be hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness Event. The event aims to raise awareness in the local community about the disease, discuss the challenges it poses, and share resources available to those affected.
Marsha Varcianna, who began attending the Universal Church through the Patient Care Group, shares her powerful story and the significant impact the PCG had on her life:
“When my mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer, it felt as if the ground was being pulled from beneath me. I truly don’t know how my life would be today if I hadn’t crossed paths with the Patient Care Group at the hospital. They supported me when I was at my lowest. I was caring for my mother alone, spending months in and out of different hospitals, I often neglected myself, going days with barely any food or even going home. Initially, I was hesitant, unsure why strangers would want to help me, but their genuine care became evident. They showed up—sometimes three times a day—when my mother’s condition worsened. No matter how far the hospital was, they stood by me, bringing home-cooked meals and sitting with my mother so I could take a moment to refresh. Even after my mother passed away, they continued to support me physically, emotionally and spiritually, helping me get my life back on track. Now, I’m able to give back and help others just as I was helped.”
If you’d like to attend the event or could benefit from the support of the Patient Care Group, you’re warmly invited to join us on Saturday, 26th October at 3pm in Finsbury Park, 232 Seven Sisters Road, N4 3NX. Whether you’re affected by breast cancer or simply want to learn more, feel free to share this invitation with others and don’t forget to wear something pink.
For any queries, please do not hesitate to contact our 24-hour helpline on 020 7686 6000 or message us via WhatsApp on 020 7686 6010.
Event: Breast Cancer Awareness Event
Day and time: Saturday, 26 October at 3pm
Location: Finsbury Park, 232 Seven Sisters Road, N4 3NX
https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/nolan-sisters-tragedies-death-heartbreak-23753633
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/linda-nolan-cancer-update-tumours-b2602920.html#
