Caremark’s pledge to support teenagers and children being treated for cancer at the Royal Marsden

Chemo Survival Kits are currently being pulled together for delivery to children and teens at the Royal Marsden in Sutton in a joint initiative between Caremark’s managing director Hannah Drury and Children’s Oncology Nurse Sarah Savage.

The bags are being created and delivered in memory of Hannah’s sister and Sarah’s best friend Chloe Drury. Chloe died ten years ago after being treated for an adolescent bone cancer at the Marsden.

Filled with goodies and practical items useful for people going through chemotherapy, the purpose of the bags is to improve young people’s hospital visit/stay – even just a little bit.

Hannah and Sarah say they were particularly keen to launch the bags due to additional hardships they’ve witnessed amongst families who are trying to cope with the joint burden of a seriously ill child and the cost of living crisis.

The bags are being part funded by Caremark along with a GoFundMe pagehttps://www.gofundme.com/f/create-for-chloe-chemo-survival-kits?qid=7c3cf19ebeda7a06e76f70e52e9258c5

Hannah Drury says: “We have personal experience of just how hard it is for a young person going through cancer. Losing their hair, feeling left out from their friends and often feeling really unwell. We remember the things that would give Chloe a lift and we are trying to capture these things in a little support bag which will help others.”

Sarah Savage added: “So many families are struggling to make ends meet. Looking after a sick child can mean you can’t work which really hits families hard. We wanted to do something that helps ease this – in some small way.”

Hannah and Sarah say they have been “bowled over” by the generosity of people in the community who have contributed towards the bags. They will now be working hard with the young people to ensure that the contents of the bags meets their needs.”