The impact of cancer is complex, which is why we use your donations in lots of different ways to improve patients’ lives.
Cancer doesn’t only change one thing about your life, so we don’t only focus on one thing, either. Here are all the amazing ways that your donation, big or small, will make a real difference.
Home touches
As well as the bigger-picture things, we’re really aware of how the smallest changes can make someone’s hospital experience that much nicer. We buy soft, comfy tracksuit tops, bottoms and dressing gowns that patients can use to make their time in hospital, and their journey home, dry and comfortable. We fund water coolers in patient waiting lounges, and artwork in waiting rooms and treatment spaces to make the experience less clinical.
These small things can really change someone’s experience. That’s why donating even a few pounds will help someone undergoing cancer treatment to have a better day.
Investing in staff
Your donations allow us to invest in training and clinic hours for specialist staff. This includes funding a clinical nurse specialist who runs a bladder clinic at Derriford Hospital, which helps men to deal with the side effects of cancer treatment. Since the clinic opened, the wait time for patients to access this vital service at Plymouth has reduced from 30 weeks to just one month.
In Cornwall, we fund vital clinic hours for a specialist radiographer. This massively increases the screening capacity at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, meaning men don’t have to wait as long for potentially life-saving diagnostic scans.
Investing in equipment
The money we receive also allows us to invest in the latest equipment to make the detection and treatment of cancers easier, ensuring that patients in Devon and Cornwall are getting up to date care. At the end of 2024, your donations bought a brand-new liver scanner for Derriford Hospital which has helped to significantly speed up treatment time for cancer patients.
We work with Urology Consultants and our medical trustees to make sure that we’re always aware of technology that can invest in which will help improve the diagnosis and treatment of male cancers.
Free holidays for patients
A cancer diagnosis takes an emotional toll on the patient and their family. That’s why our incredible donors fund a holiday home in Looe, Cornwall, which allows patients a much-needed break at a time of crisis. The home is a relaxing place to take a break after intense treatment, and to make memories with loved ones.
Life-saving tests
Although the PSA test is not a test for cancer, it remains one of the only ways that prostate cancer can be detected before symptoms develop. By donating to The Chestnut Appeal, you’re helping us to pay for these free, mass testing events, where we can potentially save dozens of lives.
At our last event, in March 2025, we tested around 300 men in Plymouth. Around 20 men were flagged as needing to visit their GP for further tests.
Support groups
We’ve been running a free support group for male cancer patients for more than 15 years, and recently began a second meeting in Devonport, Plymouth. The group is a space where men can hear from those who’ve been through similar procedures as them, and we often have guest speakers on various topics.
We also take the support groups on trips and excursions to offer social and cultural opportunities beyond just talking about cancer. These might be things like a quiz, an exhibition tour, and day trips to places of historical interest such as Bath. We can offer these opportunities free of charge to those who’ve experienced cancer and their loved ones thanks to our donors.
Even a few pounds can make a huge difference. If you’d like to donate to The Chestnut Appeal for Men’s Health, click here.
If you or someone you know is affected by prostate, testicular or penile cancer, our free patient and family support groups across Devon and Cornwall offer a space to connect with others who understand what you’re going through.
