Pfebve Cancer Support Charity was officially launched on 25 October by the Mayor of Walsall, and attended by representatives from NHS and the community.

The founder, Elliot Pfebve is a cancer survivor and the first person in the UK to receive the mRNA cancer vaccine, after being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023. Elliot want to use his lived experience to help others diagnosed with cancer navigate the complex systems available to cancer patients. Pfebve Cancer Support is managed by a panel of professional board members from both medical, business, academic research and community leaders.

Aims and objectives:

. Patient Support & Care (Website and Workshops)

• Provides emotional and psychological support through counselling, peer groups, workshops, and signposting.

• Mobilise resources for treatment, medication, or travel costs. Fundraising activities for specific projects.

• Helps navigate healthcare systems and connect patients with specialists.

Awareness & Education ( Website, training, and workshops):

• Conducts campaigns to promote early detection and prevention. Also, promoting medical research participation.

• Educate communities about symptoms, screenings, and healthy living, which is crucial as a preventive measure. This may include research on recommended foods.

• Works to eliminate stigma around cancer through public advocacy through workshops and training.

Rationale:

According to Cancer Research UK(2024), an estimated 10 million people globally die of cancer every year, 55% of those will be male. Cancer is one of the most common causes of death globally. The Foundation, which has received global backing from both patients and healthcare professionals, intends to work with patients, carers, family members, supporting agencies, and healthcare professionals.

My Journey: I became the first patient in UK to receive an mRNA cancer vaccine in March 2024, globally reported in both print and television media as a possible medical breakthrough, see some of the links below;

First patient tests personal cancer vaccine - University Hospitals Birmingham

Thousands to trial personalised cancer vaccines - BBC News (BBC, 2024)

Thousands of patients to access trials of personalised cancer vaccines (Cancer Research UK, 2024)

Bowel cancer patient first in England to have personalised jab to fight disease | This Morning (ITV, 2024)

Personalised cancer vaccine is a 'landmark moment', as thousands set to trial it | UK News | Sky News (Sky News, 2024)