Record Number of Women Turning to Chai Cancer Care for Support

New figures show a 45% surge in appointments for women and a 170% increase in support group attendance

Chai Cancer Care has released new figures highlighting a dramatic increase in the number of women seeking support through its vital services. These statistics, released ahead of Mother’s Day (30 March), underscore the growing need for holistic, community-based care in addressing the challenges faced by women diagnosed with cancer.

Over the past five years, the number of women attending appointments — ranging from counselling to complementary therapies — has risen by 45%, from 9,038 in March 2020 to February 2021- to 13,111 over the past year (March 2024 to February 2025). In addition, there has been a 170% increase in participation in support groups such as Breast Buddies and BRCA-diagnosis support, with attendance increasing from 216 women to 584 over the same period.

Women helped by Chai have described the services as invaluable, with offerings like BRCA-support groups, bereavement sessions, and styling workshops providing crucial comfort, while demonstrating the organisation’s understanding of the unique challenges women face in balancing roles as mothers, sisters, aunts, and more.

Dietician Charlotte Herman, 31, was 23 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma. The Whitefield Hebrew Congregation member was later supported by Chai’s centre in Manchester.

“I remember asking horrendous questions: ‘Am I going to die? Do I need to terminate my pregnancy?’ We had to talk about whether to deliver the baby and then have treatment, or have treatment whilst I was pregnant. There were so many unknowns,” she says, adding: “We eventually decided to have treatment whilst I was pregnant. On the one hand, you’re told to avoid something like ibuprofen when you’re pregnant, but then I was being given these treatment drugs and chemotherapy. They reassured me that the baby would be okay with the treatment.”

Reflecting on the support she received at Chai, Charlotte adds: “The counselling was really important, to have that individual who is not directly in your life. I could have conversations with my Chai counsellor, that I couldn’t have with my husband or my mum, because I didn’t want to upset or trigger them. It was really important I had that support from Chai.”

Sara* (not her real name), in her late 40s, is married with 2 teenage children. Sara, who was diagnosed with breast cancer, has been supported by Chai, benefitting from services, including counselling and scar tissue massage therapy to sooth the post-surgery area.

She says: “Having cancer is really complicated. As well as managing your daily care, you must project manage a lot of things and there are so many decisions to have to make. There’s a mixture of competing demands: for example, on the one hand, they tell you to keep exercising and moving, but then there’s a lot of fatigue and they tell you to rest. And then there’s having a family and house to still run.”

She adds: “Post-surgery, I have been getting the most amazing support from Chai. They have been brilliant. I have been getting counselling support from the most amazing woman, who is so compassionate and reassuring, and has there for so many years that she’s able to off er practical support too,” also noting: “Being in a Jewish space has been so reassuring. When you’re feeling vulnerable and not sure in yourself, there’s nothing like being surrounded by so many special people.”

Victoria Portnoi, Chief Executive of Chai Cancer Care, says: “At Chai, we provide expert care in a safe, supportive environment where women can regain confidence and connect with others. This surge in women accessing our services reflects the trust they place in us, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring no woman in our community faces cancer alone.”