Wellbeing support demand for cancer patients in Jersey grows

A cancer charity has seen an increase in demand for wellbeing support over the past five years, a reports says.

Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey published its annual report which looked back at the charity's work during 2025 and the progress made over its five year strategy period from 2021 to 2025.

The charity said counselling and higher-level emotional-support sessions more than doubled in Jersey from 407 in 2021 to 835 in 2025 - an increase of 105%.

Steph Gibaut, chief executive officer of Macmillan Jersey, said: "Behind every figure in this report is a person, a family and a moment when support mattered".

She added: "Over the past five years, we have transformed the way we support people affected by cancer.

"We are identifying needs earlier, offering more personalised care and providing a wider range of emotional, practical and wellbeing support."

The report found complementary therapy sessions rose from 405 in 2021 to a record 965 in 2025, representing an increase of 138%.

It also found the charity delivered 4,253 support sessions to Islanders affected by cancer in 2025.

Additionally, 308 people accessed its drop-in cancer support and wellbeing centre without a referral.

The charity said over its five-year strategy period it generated £4.38m in income and invested £3.44m in delivering and developing services for Islanders affected by cancer.

Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey said a major development was the introduction of holistic needs assessments which was formally launched after a pilot.

It said these helped identify a person's "physical, emotional, practical and financial needs earlier in their cancer experience, allowing an individual care plan to be put in place"

The report also showed the charity raised £963,090 in 2025 and invested £890,352 in its work.

The charity said fundraising highlights included the Tour des Pyrénées, which saw 52 cyclists complete a coast-to-coast challenge and raise a "record-breaking" £236,000 for the charity.

Gibaut said: "We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved, but we also know that demand continues to grow and people's needs are changing."

It said the new 2026 to 2030 strategy would focus on expanding emotional, wellbeing and group support and expanding services for people living with and beyond cancer.

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