Unity The After Cure Choir was set up by Consultant Clinical Oncologist Dr Michelle Kwok Williams and Heather Berry, Clinical Nurse Specialist, both part of the Long Term Follow Up Service at Leeds Cancer Centre.

The choir gives survivors of childhood, teenage and young adult cancer and other conditions the opportunity to come together in a safe space to sing, have fun and build new friendships.  

Michelle Kwok Williams, who takes on the role of Choir Leader told us:

"We wanted to give our patients more of a fun, friendly and peer support opportunity. Where they could come together, make friends and share their experiences with others who have had similar experiences."

Thanks to your donations, we’ve supported the choir since 2019, helping to fund equipment, music, t-shirts, refreshments and advertising. The choir has also generously been supported by Candlelighters, Leeds Cancer Support and are able to practice in beautiful surroundings thanks to Maggie’s Yorkshire.

Unity The After Cure Choir meet twice a month to sing and are hoping to perform as some charity events in 2023. For many people who are part of the choir, it is about so much more than singing.

Daniel Blamries loves being a part of the choir, and told us:

"There's so many favourite things about it, it's really hard to choose. I love all of it really. I like meeting new people, I've made some amazing friends, we chat with eachother. It's just like one big family."

Without support from charities, the choir would not have grown into the amazing inclusive community it is today, and everyone involved is so grateful.

Verity Heslop-Mullens told us about what has been possible thanks to donations from charities like Leeds Hospitals Charity:

"Support from charities like Leeds Hospitals Charity is invaluable to the choir, because otherwise we wouldn't have the ability and opportunities to do as much as we do."