The first thing that I discovered was the need for additional support for young women who have been diagnosed with cancer, in particular surrounding body image. Hundreds of girls were reaching out to me on social media with issues surrounding wigs, makeup, hair, tan, nails, fashion and general confidence issues whilst battling cancer. People loved the photo’s and blogs that I posted because it gave them hope that they can still look like themselves whilst going through chemo-therapy and not like a ‘stereotypical cancer patient’.

I realised through completion of my SWOT charts on other charities, although there is plenty of support for young people who are diagnosed with cancer from charities such as Trekstock, Teenage cancer trust and CLIC Sargent, none of the charities offer support for confidence issues surrounding body image whilst battling cancer.

A critical part of my research into creating a cancer charity is the fact I am experiencing it all first hand. All of my blogs act as a way of writing down the way I feel whilst experiencing things like: being diagnosed, starting treatment, telling friends and family and most importantly changes to my body image such as hair loss. It is these blog posts which help me to navigate my charity. Whilst everyone does feel different at different stages, these do act as a good sign post as to what I feel is needed within my charity and peoples needs at different stages of their cancer journey.

The publicity I have achieved of my blog and Instagram has been a crucial part of my research because this is how I have managed to form such a large following and a large proportion of those are cancer fighters. In particular, young girls battling cancer. This means I have been able to do research such as questionnaires and also general conversations with people have given me an idea into what is needed in my charity.

I found out in my questionnaire that physical appearance was by far the most daunting aspect of a cancer diagnosis for most girls (65%). I also found out that nearly half of the people who attended the Look Good Feel Good makeup workshop felt that it was for older women. 99% of women also stated that they would have rather turned to “Cancer Chicks” (my online support group) for advice on appearance, and 90% for all other general advice too. 

Overall, I feel that I have found out the main issue which is left unsupported by cancer charities for young people is the issue of physical appearance. I feel that I have done enough research into the needs of cancer patients to design the charity to fulfil young women’s needs in this area.