A major cosmetics company, The Estee Lauder Companies, is generously providing funding for the first breast cancer wellness centre in Scotland called House of Hope located in Gorgie, Edinburgh. This initiative is part of their commitment to supporting individuals affected by breast cancer, especially considering that 10,000 women under the age of 50 are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK every year.
The House of Hope charity was established by Lisa Fleming and her husband Euan after Lisa herself was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2017. They have secured a property near the Water of Leith, where the centre will open its doors in January. This centre will be the first of its kind in Scotland, focusing on providing holistic therapies and wellbeing services to breast cancer patients in a non-medical setting to enhance their quality of life.
Lisa Fleming was inspired to create House of Hope after receiving support from the specialised breast cancer centre, Future Dreams House, in London. This centre offers various services such as counselling, yoga, massage, nutritional advice, and peer support groups. It is worth noting that Future Dreams House is also financially supported by The Estee Lauder Companies.
The commitment of The Estee Lauder Companies to breast cancer care dates back to 1992 when Evelyn H Lauder, a refugee from Austria who married into the Lauder family business, founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. She dedicated herself to supporting breast cancer care until her passing in 2011. Over the past 32 years, The Estee Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Campaign and Charitable Foundation have funded over 131 million US dollars (£100 million) towards breast cancer research. Actress Liz Hurley serves as the global ambassador for this cause.
Lisa Fleming expressed her gratitude for the support from The Estee Lauder Companies, emphasizing that it will allow House of Hope to connect with the breast cancer network in Scotland and raise awareness about the wellbeing services they will offer. She highlighted the importance of compassion and support from the breast cancer community in helping patients and their families navigate through their journey.
Sue Fox, the UK and Ireland president of The Estee Lauder Companies, acknowledged the significance of providing a safe space for women undergoing breast cancer treatment to heal both physically and emotionally. She mentioned being inspired by the success of Future Dreams House in London and expressed excitement about extending their funding to House of Hope in Scotland. By broadening their support for women facing breast cancer across the UK, they aim to positively impact more lives.
Overall, the collaboration between The Estee Lauder Companies and House of Hope signifies a significant step towards enhancing the wellbeing of breast cancer patients in Scotland and underlines the importance of community support in such challenging times. This initiative is a beacon of hope for individuals affected by breast cancer, offering them a safe haven where they can find solace, care, and connection.