The Calderdale Cancer Aware project is building something powerful across our communities—a growing network of Cancer Champions. These are local individuals who have stepped forward to learn, discuss, and share life-saving cancer information. They come from community groups, workplaces, faith centres, and everyday life. What they all have in common is a commitment to helping others understand the importance of early detection and timely support.

This blog shares just some of the inspiring ways our Cancer Champions are using their training in real conversations, real places, and real lives.

Trusted Voices Making a Difference

One of the greatest strengths of the Cancer Champion model is trust. Champions are people who already have strong relationships in their communities, making them perfectly placed to start conversations that might otherwise feel difficult.

Debbie & Sally – Calderdale Family Support

After completing their training, Debbie and Sally hosted a Macmillan coffee morning for staff, using the opportunity to promote early cancer detection. Debbie is also planning a special awareness session with new mums in her breastfeeding group this November—bringing vital information to a group who often face barriers to prioritising their own health.

Samhira – Park Ward Community

For Samhira, championing cancer awareness is part of everyday life. During a recent neighbourhood hike, she encouraged women who had delayed cervical screening to book appointments, emphasising the high rate of late-stage diagnoses in Park Ward.

Championing Awareness in the Workplace

Local businesses are helping the movement grow, using their influence to support staff and customers.

Becky & Nicola – Sladdin Insurance

These colleagues have confidently integrated cancer awareness into their everyday workplace culture. They’ve signposted staff to screening services, encouraged early checks, and raised £400 for Macmillan through a coffee morning.

Calderdale Active Leisure

Throughout October, leisure centres across the borough hosted breast screening awareness events, backed by both the Cancer Champions and the Calderdale Cancer Aware team. It’s a brilliant example of community wellbeing delivered in places people already visit and trust.

Breaking Barriers Through Everyday Conversations

Champions are opening conversations that might not otherwise happen—especially among people who might avoid talking about health.

Steve – Five Talents

Steve has been speaking to male friends who rarely discuss health, encouraging them to check symptoms or seek advice. Sometimes all someone needs is a nudge from a friend.

Sana & Sarah – Park Ward Mosque

These champions are hosting a women’s awareness session at their local mosque, using fruits to demonstrate signs and symptoms of breast cancer. With the breast screening van visiting Park Ward in November, their work is helping ensure more women feel confident and informed enough to attend.

Reaching Communities with Additional Barriers

Some residents, including those new to the UK, face added challenges accessing health information. Champions are helping bridge these gaps with sensitivity and care.

Laurence – St Augustine’s

Laurence has organised a relaxed “girls’ afternoon in” for women asylum seekers, giving them a safe space to talk openly about their health. Her approachable sessions help build trust and empower women to prioritise their wellbeing.

Adrian (St Augustine’s) & Ilyas (Calderdale Cancer Aware)

Together, they have launched weekly drop-ins for asylum-seeking men. The slow and steady approach is building strong foundations of trust so that more structured cancer awareness sessions can follow. These sessions show the power of meeting people where they feel comfortable.

The Impact So Far

Our Cancer Champions are proving that the most powerful awareness work happens person to person. Their efforts are:

• Increasing early detection and screening uptake
• Encouraging more open conversations about health
• Breaking down fear, stigma, and cultural barriers
• Helping people feel informed, supported, and confident

Whether it’s a workplace coffee morning, a walk with neighbours, a craft session, or a mosque event, champions are finding creative ways to embed cancer awareness into everyday life.

Looking Ahead

We are incredibly proud of our Champions—their care, dedication, and passion are already helping shape healthier communities across Calderdale. And this is only the beginning. With schools, colleges, Calderdale Council, and more community groups beginning to join the movement, the network is set to grow even stronger.

Our goal is simple:
to build a Calderdale-wide network of Cancer Champions who ensure everyone—no matter their background—has access to life-saving information and support.

When awareness is shared by the community, lives change.
And together, we’re making that change happen.

Interested in becoming a Cancer Champion? Email sarah.thorne@regen.org.uk