Friends of Cancer Support France

The reporter and novelist, Martin Walker, author of the popular Bruno detective series set in the Périgord, is a support or CSF.

Martin writes: –

“Cancer Support France provides valuable support for Anglophones living in France, who are touched by cancer, be they patients, family or friends. I encourage you to have a look at this website to see what they do and to contact CSF if you think they could help you or those close to you.”

Author, Colin Duncan Taylor, has been living in the south of France for 20 years, and through books such as ‘Menu from the Midi’ and ‘Lauragais’, he shares his passion for the region’s culture, gastronomy, history and language.

Colin writes: –

“However wonderful life may be in the south of France, illness can strike at any time. During my years here, far too many of my friends and neighbours have been touched by cancer. I have known some who have recovered and others who have sadly died, people of all nationalities and of all ages from their 20s upwards. In situations like these, CSF Sud de France can provide invaluable support and comfort for those who are not fully at ease with the French language and the French way of doing things. But people first need to find out about the organisation, and I am pleased to be helping raise awareness.”

Carol Drinkwater is probably best known for her role as Helen Herriot in the BBC series, ‘All Creatures Great and Small’. Also an accomplished novelist, she has achieved bestselling status with her much-loved memoirs of life on an olive farm in Provence. Carol has been invited to work with UNESCO to help found an Olive Heritage Trail around the Mediterranean Basin. The aim is to create peace within the region and honour the heritage of this sacred tree.

Carol writes:-

“I know that when my sister had cancer, the support of those around her was a huge part of her recovery process and the ongoing maintenance of her good health. Here in France, Cancer Support France offer that vital help at this critical time. I am delighted to learn of the work of CSF. Such support communities are vitally needed right now.”

Jamie Noon is a retired international rugby player now living in France. Born in Goole in the UK, Jamie played for Newcastle Falcons, CA Brive and SC Tulle. He was selected to play for the England team between 2001 and 2009. Later in 2012 he played for the winning team in ‘la finale d’accession de Pro D2’.

Jamie says: –

“Cancer Support France offers vital support to English-speaking people here in France who are affected by cancer. I am pleased to be able to give my support to their work.”

Jess Harrison represented France as a triathlete in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, is a 2 times World team triathlon championship silver medalist and 5 times French Elite champion. Jess writes: –

“Cancer Support France is invaluable to so many people for practical and moral support and I only hope that the network goes from strength to strength to reach all those who need it on their navigation through what can be a pretty daunting and lonely path if travelled alone. I wholeheartedly support Cancer Support France.”

Being involved with the Olympics in Paris 2024 as part of their athletes’ commission has also educated me to the needs of the community as a whole, and vulnerable groups, especially. The mental and physical strength needed to go head-to-head with cancer is extraordinary and sport has been shown in many studies to be a great complementary tool in fighting the disease. CSF is invaluable to so many people for practical and moral support and I only hope that the network goes from strength to strength to reach all those who need it on their navigation through what can be a pretty daunting and lonely path if travelled alone. I wholeheartedly support Cancer Support France.”

Anthony Daniels is an actor, chiefly known for playing the golden robot C-3PO in the Star Wars trilogies. He and his wife Christine spend much of the year in their house in Provence. Anthony writes:-

“Cancer can come to any of us. The dread, the fear, the loneliness, the anger, the sadness – for self and family. And sometimes friends and family are too close with whom to share your thoughts and feelings. But the need to talk is there. The need to share is vital. Talking privately, in complete confidence, to one of CSF’s understanding and empathetic volunteers really does help. They will listen and hear. They cannot change the facts but they can help how you feel about them. Whether you are a sufferer or friend or family, CSF is there for anyone touched by cancer. Life in France has many wonderful aspects but sometimes, in what feels like a crisis and in a different language, it may seem a vast and foreign land. Visit the website and see how, in so many emotional and practical ways, CSF can make it feel less so. Consider supporting the charity itself by becoming a volunteer. It can be amazingly rewarding to help someone in distress. Either way, please spread the word that Cancer Support France exists – for us all.”

After over 25 years of creating for advertising agencies and graphic design studios in London and Amsterdam, Perry Taylor moved to South West France and started sketching his new surroundings.

His witty drawings are full of mischievous details, capturing the essence of life in South West France; reflecting his affection for its people, their traditions, culture, cuisine and sports. He has contributed his sketches to Cancer Support France, which were auctioned at our Activity for Life.