Sakoon Through Cancer — Empathy · Support · Trust
Samina Hussain, founder of Sakoon Through Cancer
Our impact · Sakoon Through Cancer

Cancer changed
my life.

Samina HussainFounder, Sakoon Through Cancer

A personal story. A shared purpose.
Photography: oneDay Photography
01The hidden barriers to care

Some barriers
are harder to see.

For many South Asian women, stigma, fear and cultural barriers can delay access to care.

StigmaFearCultural barriers
02How it began
A black-and-white portrait of Samina Hussain

From lived experience,
lasting purpose.

  1. 2015

    A life changed.

    Samina’s breast cancer diagnosis. The beginning of a deeply personal journey.

  2. Recovery

    Experience becomes understanding.

    Lived experience brought a new understanding of what women and families need.

  3. Conversation

    Listening comes first.

    Community conversations. Listening to women and making space for their experiences.

  4. Connection

    A safe space, together.

    Support groups rooted in shared experience, empathy and trust.

  5. 2018

    A vision takes shape.

    Turning lived experience into lasting impact through Sakoon.

03What we do

Care that reaches
beyond a diagnosis.

Awareness

Campaigns and outreach that open conversations.

Support groups

Peer support. A safe space to share and be heard.

Education

Training and information for our communities.

Advocacy

Policy and patient rights. Helping voices be heard.

04Roti Club

Shared meals.
Shared strength.

The UK’s first culturally appropriate cancer supper club for South Asian women.

Women together at a Roti Club event
Where shared meals become shared strength.Find connection
05Community in action

Thousands of conversations.
One community.

Women talking together at a Sakoon community gathering
A shared table at a Sakoon community event
Women connecting at a Sakoon support gathering
Community members taking part in a movement activity
The Sakoon community gathered around a table
06Our impact

A little connection.
A lasting difference.

17,400Volunteer hours
180+Workshops delivered
40Active volunteers
2,300+Women reached

Figures from our July 2026 presentation, covering its stated eight-year period.

07Partnerships

Stronger,
alongside each other.

Partnerships featured in our July 2026 presentation.

NHS Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Thames Valley Cancer Alliance
NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board
NHS North East London Cancer Alliance
Breast Cancer Now
Macmillan Cancer Support
King’s College London
Slough Borough Council
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Thames Valley VCSE Alliance
Slough CVS
Cancer Allies
ENTRUST
08Why our approach works

With women.
Not just for them.

Culturally appropriate

Designed with South Asian women, not just for them.

Community-led

Built on trust, lived experience and peer support.

Working alongside the NHS

Helping women access services and reduce health inequalities.

Supporting NHS priorities

Our July 2026 presentation describes alignment with:

  • NHS 10 Year Plan
  • Women’s Health Plan
  • National Cancer Plan
  • Neighbourhood Health Framework
09Looking ahead

More connection.
More possibility.

With greater support, we can:

  1. 01Reach more communities
  2. 02Expand Roti Club
  3. 03Train community ambassadors
  4. 04Translate resources
  5. 05Support families and carers
Help shape what comes next
Community members attending a Sakoon gathering
10Our vision

Every woman deserves support
that understands both
her diagnosis and her culture.

Find support Make a donation
Be part of our community
The women at the heart of the Sakoon community
Thank you. Empathy · Support · Trust