A cancer support charity which supports residents across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire is set to celebrate its eighth birthday this month. 

Pink Sisters & Misters Cancer Support was founded in September 2015 with the aim of providing a support network for those battling the illness and their friends and family. 

Founder, Jax Mackenzie, started the charity when she finished cancer treatment and realised that there was no support network available in the local area. 

Jax told Stoke Nub News: "This time nine years ago I was going through treatment for breast cancer and when I came to the end of it, there was no local support network so I spoke to a couple of ladies I had met along the way and founded Pink Sisters in September 2015.

The charity helps anyone with a cancer diagnosis at regular meetings across Staffordshire (Birches Head, Cheadle, Leek and Kidsgrove) as well as on a private Facebook forum where people can ask for advice or read others' questions. 

The charity purchased a caravan last year which is offered to members as a retreat (Jax Mackenzie).

Jax said: "We changed from Pink Sisters to Pink Sisters & Misters a few years ago because we've got men coming along too - We support everyone with any kind of cancer.

"We support families and friends via another forum too, anyone who is struggling because their loved one has cancer, they can join that forum and they have a meeting every month too."

Pink Sisters & Misters hold frequent fundraisers, in the past they have performed The Full Monty, tackled Mount Snowdon and hosted festivals. 

"Last January, we bought a caravan in Prestatyn which we offer to our members as a retreat, that is used all year except for six weeks in winter" continued Jax.

"At the moment we are trying to raise funds for a minibus so we can transport people to hospital appointments and take people out for day trips, it will also be used as an awareness van - my passion is raising awareness of the early signs of cancer as well as supporting people.

To raise funds, the charity has performed The Full Monty, tackled Mount Snowdon and hosted festivals (Jax Mackenzie).

"Even though cancer is such an awful disease, we try and keep it upbeat and positive - it's such a lovely group. 

"We get fantastic feedback, so many people have benefitted from it, the experience never goes away, it's always on your mind so we try to portray that there is life after cancer."

To celebrate their eighth birthday, the charity is hosting a party at the Birches Head meeting on Monday 11 September where many members and their family and friends will have the chance to get together.

Jax said: "I've invited people and their families to get together, have some food and just celebrate that we're still here and remember those who aren't with us anymore."

To find out more about Pink Sisters & Misters, visit their Facebook page or website.

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