Cliff Notes
- The King reflects on his “frightening experience” with cancer, emphasising the emotional toll it takes on patients and their families.
- He praises the remarkable organisations that provide compassion and support during patients’ darkest times, stating that such experiences highlight the best of humanity.
- With over 390,000 new cancer diagnoses annually in the UK, the King aims to raise awareness and appreciation for the human connections that foster community care throughout treatment.
King says cancer diagnosis is ‘daunting’ and ‘frightening’ experience | UK News
The King has shared his thoughts on the “frightening experience” of being among the thousands of people diagnosed with cancer every year.
The 76-year-old monarch praised the organisations that mean that “the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion”.
Writing ahead of a Buckingham Palace reception to recognise and celebrate “the remarkable organisations and individuals” who do so much for cancer patients and their families, the King said: “Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones.
“But as one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity”.
Reflecting on his own cancer journey, he added: “It has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years.
“And it has reinforced what I have long observed during these visits – that the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion”.
The message is written in a booklet that has been given to all those attending the Cancer Support reception.
The added emphasis on this side of the King’s work has undoubtedly been spurred on by his own experience.