Breast cancer charity Little Lifts has marked World Cancer Day, today, with the delivery of the 40,000th support box for breast cancer patients. Founder Oa Hackett explains what it means
Today, World Cancer Day, breast cancer charity Little Lifts has delivered its 40,000th Little Lifts Box, marking a major milestone in the charity’s mission to ensure no one faces breast cancer treatment alone. The charity’s 40,000th Box, recognises almost nine years of growth for the Norfolk-based charity, which provides free, thoughtfully curated support Boxes to people undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer across the UK.
Joann Mcgrath, Lead clinical nurse specialist for breast cancer care at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said, “We are hugely grateful to Little Lifts for the support they have given to our patients over the years and we are delighted to hear the charity is delivering its 40,000th box. We’ve seen the difference the care boxes make to our patients and the psychological boost it gives during their treatment.”
Since launching in 2017, Little Lifts has expanded its reach through partnerships with ten NHS hospitals across the East of England, alongside its national Little Kindness Fund, which enables people outside hospital partnership areas to apply for support directly.
Early today, Little Lifts delivered the milestone Box from its headquarters in Norwich to two hospitals part of the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust in Essex: Basildon Hospital and Southend Hospital. Founder of Little Lifts, Oa Hackett, said, “Delivering our 40,000th Box is a reminder of the strength of a community built on kindness and generosity. Every Box represents someone facing breast cancer treatment who deserves to feel supported, cared for and not alone. I cannot thank our Little Lifts community enough for believing in our vision.”
Little Lifts Boxes are carefully curated by people with lived experience of breast cancer treatment and include practical items to help manage treatment side effects, along with small comforts designed to support emotional wellbeing. Each Box is hand-packed by a volunteer, many of whom have previously received a Box themselves.
In 2025 alone, the charity distributed 12,672 Boxes across its NHS hospital partnerships and nationally through the Little Kindness Fund (LKF). Volunteers contributed more than 3,000 hours, and supported 21 trips in its van, ‘Hope’, delivering 4132 Boxes across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire while assessors processed over 8,000 LKF applications for support. The charity also hosted 8 Community Clubs, including its first-ever in-person Focus Group for breast cancer patients in London who received a Box through the Little Kindness Fund.
In 2025, Little Lifts was also very proud to have been invited to a special reception at Buckingham Palace, hosted by The King and Queen, in recognition of the breast cancer support they offer. The event celebrated community-based initiatives that raise awareness about cancer and support those affected by it.
Treatment pathways for breast cancer vary but around 81% of patients undergo surgery, 61% receive radiotherapy, and 34% receive chemotherapy* as part of their primary or palliative treatment. Little Lifts currently offers three tailored Boxes – Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy – ensuring patients receive support that reflects their individual treatment journey.
Feedback from clinicians and recipients consistently highlights the impact of the Boxes, particularly at a time when many people report the emotional effects of cancer as more challenging than the physical side effects.
Looking ahead, Little Lifts plans to distribute more than 14,000 Boxes in 2026, while also beginning preparations to mark its ten-year anniversary in 2027.
Oa added: “This milestone isn’t about numbers, it’s about the people we support. It shows what’s possible when compassion, generosity and community come together to support those facing one of the hardest moments of their lives.”
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Featured image of the Little Lifts team delivering the 40,000 box on World Cancer Day – supplied
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