Investing in Sussex: How Sussex Cancer Fund Is Strengthening Local Cancer Care for Local People

Cancer touches almost every family, workplace and community across Sussex. With 1 in 2 people expected to receive treatment for cancer in their lifetime, the demand for compassionate, well-resourced local cancer care has never been greater.

The Sussex Cancer Fund exists to make the cancer journey more bearable for people across the county, working in partnership with NHS teams to enhance hospital environments, provide specialist equipment, expand patient services and support Sussex-led research.

In the past year, the charity has also strengthened its commitment to working with the business community, recognising the powerful role that local employers and organisations play in shaping healthier, more resilient communities. At the centre of this work is the development of long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships that deliver real impact for patients while helping businesses achieve meaningful corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives.

Leading this work is Tina Alfieri, Relationship Manager at Sussex Cancer Fund, whose role is focused on building strong relationships with corporate supporters across the region.

“My role is to connect businesses with projects that directly improve the cancer journey for local people,” Tina explains. “It’s about creating partnerships with purpose — where companies can see the tangible impact of their support and feel part of something that truly changes lives.”

A Year of Tangible Impact Across Sussex

Over the last twelve months, Sussex Cancer Fund has delivered a wide range of projects that have significantly improved the experience of people receiving treatment across the county. Every project is made possible through the generosity of individuals, community groups and corporate supporters, with all funds remaining within Sussex.

Improving the Spaces Where Care Happens

One of the charity’s most significant achievements this year has been the creation of a brand-new oncology consultation room at the Sussex Cancer Centre. What was once an unused corridor has now been transformed into a calm, welcoming space where patients and their families can speak privately with their clinical teams. This single development is expected to allow for around 2,000 additional consultation appointments each year, helping to reduce waiting times and improve access to timely cancer care.

Alongside this, Sussex Cancer Fund has also completed the refurbishment of a dedicated counselling room at Worthing Hospital, providing a quiet, private space for emotional support at what can be a deeply overwhelming time.

Looking ahead, the charity has just launched a new campaign to refresh the waiting areas and staff facilities at Hurstwood Park Cancer Unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath. The project aims to introduce updated furniture, improved layouts and a more welcoming environment for both patients and staff.

Funding Equipment That Enhances Treatment

The Sussex Cancer Fund continues to fund vital clinical equipment requested by NHS teams across the county. Recent purchases include chemotherapy chairs, specialist monitoring tools and diagnostic equipment that help clinicians deliver safer, more effective and more comfortable treatment.

Because the charity’s funding is entirely local, supporters can be confident that every pound donated directly strengthens cancer services within Sussex hospitals.

Supporting Wellbeing During and Beyond Treatment

Cancer care is about far more than medical treatment alone. Over the past year, Sussex Cancer Fund has continued to expand its range of services designed to support patients’ physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing.

This includes life coaching to help individuals rebuild confidence and regain control after diagnosis, massage therapy to promote relaxation and reduce stress, and acupuncture to support pain management and treatment-related side effects such as nausea. The charity has also expanded Active Outlook, a tailored exercise programme that supports strength, mobility and confidence during and beyond treatment.

Demand for these services continues to grow as more patients experience the wide-ranging benefits they provide, and the charity remains committed to expanding access so that even more people can take part.

Investing in Sussex-Led Research

In addition to frontline patient support, Sussex Cancer Fund also plays a vital role in supporting research taking place within local hospitals and academic institutions. These projects are chosen for their direct relevance to patients receiving care in Sussex.

Current research includes studies into blood cancer biomarkers, the relationship between the gut microbiome and treatment response, and the impact of stress on certain cancer pathways. By funding locally delivered research, the charity helps ensure that advances in knowledge directly benefit Sussex patients while strengthening the county’s reputation as a centre of excellence for cancer research.

Why Sussex Businesses Matter

Cancer affects every workplace. Employees, customers, suppliers and leadership teams are all likely to be touched by it, either personally or through the experience of a loved one. For businesses, supporting the Sussex Cancer Fund is not simply an act of charity, it is a meaningful investment in the wellbeing of the local workforce and community.

Partnership with the charity enables businesses to strengthen their CSR strategies, engage staff in meaningful activity, build purpose-driven workplace cultures and demonstrate genuine commitment to the communities in which they operate. Crucially, it also allows companies to support projects where the impact is visible, measurable and close to home.

Building Partnerships That Make a Difference

Sussex Cancer Fund is now inviting businesses across the county to explore how partnership working can support both their CSR ambitions and the lives of people affected by cancer locally.

Whether through sponsorship, team fundraising, project funding, volunteering or in-kind support, corporate partners can play a direct role in shaping better cancer care for Sussex communities.

To explore partnership opportunities, businesses are encouraged to connect with:

Tina Alfieri, Relationship Manager

Sussex Cancer Fund

tina.alfieri@sussexcancerfund.co.uk

01273 664930 | 07894 912092

www.sussexcancerfund.co.uk

Registered Charity Number: 1147195

By investing in Sussex Cancer Fund, local businesses are not only strengthening their social impact, they are helping to ensure that people facing cancer across Sussex receive the best possible care, support and hope for the future.