“Brian and Alison were only acquaintances when he told her of his cancer diagnosis. Alison, on hearing the news and feeling awkward, helpless and not knowing what to say, made a rather bizarre offer to send letters to him to cheer him up through his treatment. He never imagined that she would write, and neither did she!
But knowing that Brian had cancer and all she had to do was write a letter encouraged her to put pen to paper. The first letter she wrote was not about cancer, nor was it philosophical or clever, but it was just about everyday observations and anecdotes.
On receipt of the letter, Brian told her how much he’d enjoyed it and so she enthusiastically continued. Over the next two and a half years, Alison wrote over 100 letters to Brian as his stage three cancer moved to stage four and he went through chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and an ileostomy bag.
As the pair became better acquainted, Brian began to share with Alison that one of the most unexpected side effects of his cancer diagnosis was that he felt very isolated and lonely. Brian had a partner and a big circle of friends and family, but he was no longer going to work, no longer socialising, and people who did not know what to say said nothing.
He shared with Alison the effect her letters had on him; that they kept him connected with a world he was feeling increasingly disconnected from, they let him know that he was not alone, and they made him laugh and gave him a distraction. He shared with her that he would often save the letters for a point in the day where he knew he would feel low, and he would read it, imagining that she was there chatting to him. On other occasions, he would take the letters to his chemotherapy sessions and share them with other people in the ward.
When Brian received his first all clear he wanted to share the impact of the letters with others and so the two of them set up the charity From Me to You. This was initially with the simple mission to encourage people to connect with loved ones who were living with cancer by writing a card or a letter, but in a short time this progressed to their Donate a Letter programme, where people from all over the world write anonymous letters which are distributed to people living with cancer in hospitals, cancer centres and at home.
Last year, the charity delivered 13,500 letters, as well as supporting countless people who received a letter from a loved one inspired by Alison and Brian‘s example.”
“The mission is to alleviate the isolation and loneliness of a cancer diagnosis by the simple act of connecting via a letter. We hope that in time no one will be alone with their cancer.”
“According to a Macmillan report, 30% of people receiving treatment for cancer feel isolated, and of those, 25% go on to suffer from depression. We also know that loneliness is as detrimental to cancer recovery as obesity and smoking. The letters we facilitate are designed to alleviate that sense of isolation and loneliness. They let the recipient know that someone is thinking of them, and they provide comfort and a smile at a time when life feels difficult. 82% of our letter recipients receiving letters at home say that the letters changed their mood in a positive way and brought comfort. For the letter writer, especially if they are writing to a loved one, the connection that the letter provides helps them to feel less helpless in supporting their loved one.”
“The most important thing about letter writing to alleviate loneliness is that the recipient can read the letter as and when they need the comfort. Whilst phone calls, texts and emails are always welcome, they can arrive at a time when the recipient doesn’t particularly need them; they tend to be on the giver’s agenda and timescale, as Brian experienced. He would often save a letter until he felt a time of day when he would be feeling alone, and then he would open it. Letters also include the sense of touch, which is the only way that we now utilise this sense in communication. We know that touch plays an important role in the comfort and healing of those who are sick. Many people living with cancer tell us that they keep their letters in their memory box. We think that this demonstrates the importance.”
“People can reach us via our website to either donate letters or receive letters or through any of our social media channels.”
“We cannot know exactly how many people have benefited from our work as there are thousands of people who will have received letters from loved ones who we know nothing about. Our Donate to Letter programme, since it’s inception in mid 2017, has delivered in excess of 60,000 letters.”
“When we first began the charity in 2017, our intention was to inspire people to send a letter to a loved one living with a cancer diagnosis. We posted tips on our website and held workshops. It wasn’t until later that year that our Donate a Letter programme was founded, becoming even more needed through the pandemic. We also developed our online workshop programme to educate more people on how to connect with someone living with be a loved one or for our Donate a Letter programme. In 2017, we delivered 250 letters to one Hospital in 2024, we delivered 13,500 letters to over 40 Hospitals. We have been recognised by the Prime Minister and Royal Foundation and in 2023 our book, From Me to You, was published by Spellbound, and launched on ITV’s Lorraine.”
“I take my letters to my chemo appointments and share them with the other ladies there. They bring some lightness to a difficult time of the week.” (Marie)
“My husband, my brother and I are all in the midst of cancer treatment and I sometimes feel so overwhelmed. Writing to a stranger, avoiding the topic of illness, and sharing bits of normal life has been so therapeutic for me, so thank you.” (Sian)
“I re-read my letter many times over – it becomes a friend.” (Jo)
“Many people support our work by writing letters for our donated letter programme, but there are many more ways that you can support us. We send out packs of posters and flyers, which people distribute in their local GP surgeries, cancer hospitals, libraries and community centres. Many people fundraise for us by doing challenges and becoming a Friend of From Me to You paying for the stamps which are so vital to get our letters delivered. Following us on social media and sharing our posts is a brilliant free way to support us and also telling loved ones who are going through a cancer diagnosis about our service so that we can send them letters and provide support and ensure they feel less alone through their cancer.”
A big thank you to From Me to You for spreading kindness and taking the time to share more about their work, supporting people affected by cancer.
Click the button below if you would like to receive or write letters.