BABONS Cancer Support has been created in memory of Jean Spickernell (called “Babon” by her grandchildren) who lost her life to cancer in 2022.

Jean was a “pocket rocket” who loved her community and always looked for ways to help others even when she needed help herself.

As a family we have experience of supporting the cancer community through counselling, but then in 2020 the stories we were hearing from others became our own as Jean was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Whilst dealing with the devastating diagnosis, the journey we experienced as a family highlighted just how much help we needed and how fast things changed on a daily basis with Jean’s care. We found much of our time was spent researching what we could access to make Jean as well cared for as possible and to maintain her independence and dignity. We felt very alone as a family with no one to guide us through.

With this in mind, support for the local cancer community was very close to Jean’s heart. Sadly she didn’t live long enough to see it happen but her family has taken up the baton and BABONS is born!

Inspired by the grandchildren, “Babon” was not only her name but BABONS reflects exactly what Jean wanted to do for the cancer community Bringing a bit of needed support.