Numan's story – the Muslim cancer community shouldn't suffer on their own

Awareness of Maggie's

I first heard about Maggie’s opening in OIdham through an advert in the hospital where I work as a Chaplain. 

I can’t remember exactly when I first came into the building before I became ill. I remember going in thinking the centre looked nice, but I didn’t know just how much help Maggie’s could do until I got cancer. Then, I thought, "I need to go".

I found out I had cancer after my GP referred me to a gastroenterologist. They saw small polyps when I had an ultrasound scan. 

They said there was no sign of anything else but they would keep an eye on me. 

After a couple of months I had another scan, and the polyps had become a little bit bigger. 

The doctor said it would be better to remove them and then we'll send them for checks. 

In 2021, I was then referred for urgent surgery. But due to complications with my asthma it ended up taking place at the end of December. 

After my surgery I found out that it was cancer.

The doctor said that because the polyp was in the gallbladder and one was on the liver, he said I would need a liver resection. 

I was just listening, my wife was with me. I could see she was feeling so down and she was taking all the burden. 

It is hard when you find out you have got cancer. Some people, when they find out they have got cancer or any illness, they become so distressed. I tried to think, maybe I have been blessed. 

I thought maybe this is a blessing from Allah (God). 

In Islam, we know sickness is a blessing – while it can be difficult it's an opportunity for growth and reflection.

I thought maybe this is a blessing to help me understand why this was happening, and at least I could be more prepared for it.

Support from my family and friends

My wife took on all the responsibility when I was sick and made sure there was no distress. 

She planned everything for me, which was a great thing. My family, extended family and local community were all so supportive. 

I had good community support from my management at the hospital. My manager was very helpful, especially my Chaplaincy who was super. 

So many friends from different areas came to see me and colleagues came to my house regularly to check on me. 

Some doctors from the hospital came to visit me. It gave me strength and the support helped with my recovery.

Work and money

When my chemotherapy treatment started, I knew I would have to stay off work for a long time and my income would be reduced after six months. 

At that time, I had no idea what I could apply for help.  

One of my colleagues suggested going to Maggie’s.

When I came into the Oldham centre, I was so welcomed by everyone. 

I saw Geraldine, the Benefits Advisor and had a number of appointments after that to help with filling in forms to get further support. 

I also used to come to Maggie’s when I wasn’t feeling well. The chemotherapy would make me feel tired and affected my body. 

Sometimes I only felt like sleeping, but sometimes I would go out and felt ok, I would do a little bit of work and then I’d get tired. So I would go for a walk to Maggie’s. 

Whenever I came in, I was treated like a King. 

Everyone would be looking after me. I would think “I am not on my own, there are people supporting me.”

I would look out of the window, sit for an hour or two, then I’d walk back home, so I could have a little bit of a walk with a rest at Maggie’s. In this way, I got to know everybody at Maggie’s very well. 

Identity through community

Looking out at the view from the centre brought back memories of my childhood in Bangladesh, which helped when I wasn’t feeling well. We lived in a village where there were bushes and trees. 

Looking out onto the view, under this centre’s design, made me think of my childhood and reminded me of happy times. The window is so beautiful, when you look out, you can see the whole area and sky. 

It made me think “the world that Allah has created is big”, and you don’t think about other things too much.

The main thing is, in other places you get people asking over and over “What do you want?” but in here people ask “how are you?” and offer a cup of tea, coffee or fruit and then have a chat. 

This is a positive way of helping; it is like people understand. Maggie’s gives you that feeling that you are a special guest. 

I understand the concerns people have when they have cancer. They can become distressed and upset. 

There are too many people who feel they cannot talk to people about cancer. I think this is not right, it is better to accept and secondly talk to people and then you can relax. 

If you don’t talk, and bottle it up, your capacity decreases if you are thinking about it all the time. 

My wife came with me to Maggie’s a few times as well. It was useful to know she could also come. 

Sometimes we would just sit in a chair and chat, and nobody would ever say “Why are you here? Why are you staying long?” Sometimes she used to remind me, “if you don’t do anything today, why don’t you go to Maggie’s?”

I would say to the Muslim community, and anyone who has cancer, don’t stay at home and suffer on your own.

How Maggie's shows support

People with cancer need support, and there is so much out there. Even though Maggie’s is a professional place in the boundaries of the hospital, it is not like a hospital, more a place to socialise and meet others. 

I always advise people to come to Maggie’s. 

The centre is always welcoming and it’s not only for people diagnosed with cancer, it’s for their families too. They can go and get the help or have a little bit of relaxation time. 

If you go there you will find comfort. Now when I see a cancer patient at the hospital I understand their situation more and I use my own experience to try and help. 

I recently spoke at a fundraising Eid event for Maggie’s in Oldham. 

There was a diverse community at the event that day, not only Muslims but many cultures and communities. 

I wanted to share my story to inspire people and to let them know there is support, it was a good opportunity to let them know they could come here. 

As well as Maggie’s helping me a lot, I need to pay that back and increase the support for that centre and it also benefits the community. 

If anyone falls ill it is our responsibility as a community, as a neighbour, as a friend, as a colleague and as family members: we have to help and support them. 

Collectively, we can help and Maggie’s is for all of these people.

I give my gratitude to the centre, to all the people working and those volunteering. Everyone does such a good job and I feel good when I’m in here.

We’re here with you

Our cancer support specialists, psychologists and benefits advisors are here for everyone with cancer, and all the people who love them. 

Come and see us at your nearest Maggie’s, call us on 0300 123 180 or email us at enquiries@maggies.org

Read more about the recently launched Muslim Cancer Support Group