Exhibition captures life’s most precious moments for those living with cancer

A new virtual photography exhibition, which captures life’s most precious everyday moments through the eyes of people diagnosed with cancer, has been launched today by Zurich Insurance.

The Living Every Moment exhibition, supported by cancer charity Maggie’s, sets out to raise awareness of early cancer screening and detection amidst the mounting financial pressures facing those affected by the disease.

The photographs will showcase the most precious everyday moments that are given new significance as people grapple with the impact of a diagnosis.

The exhibition will be curated by acclaimed British photographer Martin Parr and will also feature images of the moments that matter to him following his cancer diagnosis in 2021. The campaign is also supported by TV celebrity Merlin Griffiths who was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year and is still undergoing treatment.

As part of the campaign, Zurich has donated £20,000 to Maggie’s, which will help to fund more than 500 sessions with a Benefits Adviser for those newly diagnosed and their carers.

According to the ‘Hidden Cost of Cancer’ report from insurer Zurich, more than eight in 10 (84 per cent) people living with cancer agreed that their diagnosis made them view life differently. More 43 per cent claimed that they stopped worrying about the little things that don’t matter, and 39 per cent agreed that they now ‘make the most of every day’ following their diagnosis.

The top 10 moments that took on new significance for those in treatment for cancer are:

• A kiss/ hug with the person I love (40 per cent)
• Watching my favourite TV programme (37 per cent)
• Listening to my favourite music (36 per cent)
• Eating around the table with my family/ friends (35 per cent)
• Eating the food I love (35 per cent)
• Going for a walk in nature (34 per cent)
• A walk along the beach (28 per cent)
• Getting into bed with freshly washed sheets (28 per cent)
• My first cup of tea or coffee of the day (28 per cent)
• Celebrating a birthday (27 per cent)

The report also reveals the extent of the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis in 2022. This comes as the nation remains gripped by a deepening crisis where people are already dealing with increased waiting times for treatment ¹. NHS targets for the number of patients seen by a specialist consultant within two weeks of an urgent GP referral have not been met since May 2020, according to the British Medical Association.

The Hidden Cost of Cancer report found one in three respondents said that one of the worst parts of their diagnosis was worrying about their family’s future, with more than half (53%) saying that their diagnosis impacted their finances 'to an extreme’ or ‘large extent’.

Worryingly, the pandemic caused a delay in diagnosis for 1 in 2 of those surveyed, and half of those were forced to have a longer course of treatment as a result. Of those who experienced a delay, 62 per cent said this caused significant additional stress to both themselves and their families.

Zurich’s report also found that 67 per cent of those diagnosed in the last two years have been faced with costs they were not expecting as a result of treatment, averaging up to £6,500 per year. This has led to more than a third (36 per cent) drawing on savings to get by, while 34 per cent say they are ‘just about managing’ to pay essential bills.

Dame Laura Lee, Maggie's CEO said:

“Zurich’s campaign helps to highlight the added difficulties people living with cancer are currently facing - while reminding them of the support we have available through Maggie’s. It has also raised some much-needed funds to support our network of UK centres. We know through our experts and our research, that many people are more worried about the rising cost of living than they are about their cancer diagnosis. At such a traumatic time, financial challenges are the last thing they should be worried about.

“We’re pleased to say that Zurich’s donation will pay for over 500 sessions with a Benefits Adviser, so that someone with cancer or their carer, can get critical financial advice and support that they may need at such a difficult time.”

Martin Parr, Curator, continues, “My photographic work captures the beauty in the mundane moments of life – those little snapshots that you may think of as every day or pedestrian can take on a magical quality when you open your eyes to seeing it in a different way. The photographers in this exhibition are having to see the world differently as they navigate the world with cancer, yet as you’ll see from these images, the simple tasks and observations become more intense and meaningful. It is with great respect to have curated these images for the Living Every Moment exhibition from Zurich Insurance.”

Merlin Griffiths comments:

“My bowel cancer diagnosis last year was one of the most frightening moments of my life. However, life is for living, as evidenced by my vibrant, young daughter, so for me, focusing on my ongoing recovery is of prime importance. Campaigns like Living Every Moment are so important. Seeing how other people find moments of joy whilst they live with cancer makes you realise that there’s beauty all around and you have to stop and appreciate every moment.”

Louise Colley, Zurich UK’s Director of Retail Protection comments:

“The hidden cost of cancer, for many, stretches far beyond the illness itself. The financial stress associated with a diagnosis, as our data reveals, adds an enormous weight to individuals, their families and loved ones.

“Research shows that half of us will receive a cancer diagnosis in our lifetime, making this an illness that affects us all. We are proud to partner with Maggie’s, Martin Parr and Merlin Griffiths to highlight this important issue and to celebrate the everyday moments that those living with cancer cherish the most.

“We hope that the poignant images, shared by people from all over the UK, will encourage others to get the screening and medical help they need.”

To view the Living Every Moment photography exhibition, visit www.zurich.co.uk/everyday-moments.

The campaign has also been documented through a short film. For more information about Maggie’s please visit www.maggies.org or to donate click https://donations.maggies.org/donate/?source=FCEDAY22

NHS backlog data analysis (bma.org.uk)

Case studies

Stuart Grant

Stu is 49 and lives in Norfolk with his wife Emma and daughter Delilah. He was diagnosed with Brain Cancer a few years ago. It came as a complete shock as he’d had no symptoms. Since then, he’s undergone a year of gruelling treatment including brain surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. He describes his treatment as brutal and exhausting, but he was able to carry on working and living a near normal life throughout most of it, despite regular hospital visits and fatigue.

“Aside from the physical impact of my diagnosis, the situation has totally made me look at what’s important. Emma and I took the decision to get married and obviously the birth of Delilah a few months before my diagnosis really put my mind in focus."

“It sounds cliched but, family suddenly becomes paramount. I want to spend as much time as I can with them and make that time special and memorable. Emma is amazing and she has us all travelling all over the place doing as many fun things as we can. I will be forever grateful to her for this. My life has changed, and so has my perspective.” "It’s amazing, what facing cancer will do to focus your mind and priorities. Everything changes.”

Charmaine Wise

Charmaine is 56 and lives in Kenley, South London. In 2000, she was diagnosed with a rare form of Ovarian cancer called Granula Cell tumour. When she was first diagnosed, she had a full hysterectomy and 6 months of chemotherapy. Since then, she’s had intermittent treatment when the cancer has re-appeared – which it has done every two to three years. This has involved surgery, chemotherapy, and then more recently, radiotherapy. Her next scan and results are due in November. In her own words, Charmaine works hard to keep going and make the most of every good moment in each day.

Pictures taken by Charmaine include one of her having lunch out with work colleagues Jess and Jade.

“A lunch out with friends is treated with the same joy and enthusiasm I’d have experienced at their weddings and other events I’ve missed due to treatment or illness. When you’re well enough to do things, you throw everything at it to enjoy it to the full. You take all of the joy you can from the good stuff, as you miss out on so much to stay safe and well.”

Charmaine also volunteers for charity Ovacome, talking to third year medical students about ovarian cancer conditions and symptoms. She’s about to walk a 10k event for Target Ovarian Cancer – to raise money for continued research into the disease.

Further case studies available on request

Notes to editors:

Survey conducted by OnePoll between 26.08.22 – 26.08.22, based on 300 UK adults living with cancer (or diagnosed/cured in the last two years).