Chiswick Houseboat Dweller Features in Macmillan Campaign
Nadio Granata joins celebrities to highlight forthcoming Coffee Morning
Nadio in the photo for the campaign taken by Rankin. Picture: Macmillan
September 17, 2024
A Chiswick man who survived cancer is appearing in a national campaign to raise awareness of the charity Macmillan and its annual flagship Coffee Morning event later this month.
60-year-old Nadio Granata, who lives on a houseboat, was supported by Macmillan both when receiving treatment for stage 3 throat cancer and with the care of his partner Claire who has been diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer.
He took part in a photoshoot by celebrity photographer Rankin along with others who have had their lives changed by cancer including Loose Women and ITV news host Charlene White, singer and actress Brenda Edwards, TV personality Jake Quickenden and BBC and ITV presenter Julia Bradbury. The photographs aim to bring to life the importance of coming together to share experiences. Nadio's photo shows him holding up a sign saying, "Without Macmillam, I'd be a trapeze artist with no safety net."
Nadio was told he had cancer in 2021, He said, “I discovered a lump at the side of my neck, at first, it was the size of an Adam’s apple. I very quickly had an ultrasound followed by biopsies. It was at the appointment with the surgeon when they first told me that they’d found a tumour and it was cancer. That’s when the whirlwind really started.”
He had two rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiotherapy, five days a week.
Of this time, he says, “The toughest part was when I got the results back from the ultrasound. That was the moment when I Zoom-called my children. I still get emotional thinking about it. My daughter was pregnant at the time with my first grandchild. Seeing those faces so close up on the Zoom, I told them that ‘the doctors had concerns’. The writing was on the wall.
“I started my treatment in June (2021). I went through the process like a machine. My only concern was to just get to the end. I won’t lie. It was tough.
“It is expensive, dealing with cancer. I feel the cold twice as much as I used to, so my heating’s on 24/7. Liveaboards don’t get any electricity caps. My own heating costs trebled that winter. My new business did not qualify for furlough and my start up plans were shattered. I don’t mind admitting that I’m no longer a wealthy person. I should be at my age. Though, thanks to cancer, I’m a wealthier person in spirit and lots of other things, other than what’s in the bank.”
Nadio had support from a Macmillan nurse and plans to hold a Coffee Morning this year as a way of giving back.
He said, “Macmillan was ever-present. If I remember rightly, I think Theresa (Macmillan Nurse) was present on that very first meeting with the oncologist. Without Macmillan, I would be a trapeze artist with no safety net. I can’t even imagine what it would have been like.”
Now Nadio’s partner Claire has been diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer which has spread into the liver. She’s currently undergoing fortnightly chemotherapy boosters with immunotherapy.
Nadio explains “It’s fair to say I was looking forward to moving on from cancer when Claire’s diagnosis smacked us both in the face. But, you know what, you just have to deal with it. And she’s a star. I’m not her ‘carer’, more like her ‘distraction’! She calls me her, ‘Beautifully Bonkers Boyfriend’. I’ll take that!”
“We treat every day as a new day. But, it’s true to say, we are nervous. Plan B has not yet been discussed, but we are increasingly aware we might need one. And that’s where knowing we have Macmillan to call on is, once again, beautifully reassuring”.
Photographer Rankin says, “This project is very close to my heart. I lost my mum to lung cancer so know first-hand how cancer can turn someone’s world upside down, including their loved ones. These photos highlight the resilience of people living with cancer and the incredible work Macmillan do in supporting people after their diagnosis.”
Charlene White lost her mother to bowel cancer when she was just 21 years old. She said, "I am passionate about raising awareness of bowel cancer after losing my mother to the disease when she was 47 years old. I’ve seen firsthand the support Macmillan nurses have given to my mum in her last days. They were there when we needed them the most, staying overnight with mum so my dad could get some much-needed rest.
“Bowel cancer is highly treatable and there are treatments available now that weren’t accessible 20 years ago, but someone still dies every 30 minutes of this disease. People can be embarrassed about going to the doctor with bowel-related concerns but if you see changes and you don't go to the GP, your family could lose a mum, could lose a dad. You know your body and if you spot any changes or signs then please go to your doctor.
“Macmillan Coffee Morning raises much needed funds so the charity can continue to support everyone affected by cancer and I would urge you to sign up and host a Coffee Morning – in whatever way you choose.”
BBC and ITV presenter Julia Bradbury was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. She underwent a mastectomy and had lymph glands removed to stop the cancer from spreading. Now cancer free, the presenter, author and nature advocate is keen to encourage others to get their symptoms checked early.
Julia, 54, said: “I found a lump in my breast which was originally diagnosed as a cluster of benign micro-cysts, and I had to have another mammogram as a follow up.
“The scan, which included an ultrasound and a physical examination, hadn't returned anything alarming, so I almost didn't go to my follow up appointment. However, the follow up a year later was lifesaving as my doctor discovered a small shadow on my breast, which turned out to be cancerous.
“When you hear the words ‘you have cancer’ your world stops. They’re words no one wants to hear - it’s a club that no one wants to be part of and yet so many are. Any cancer diagnosis is a journey, and that journey is different for everyone. It’s a startling statistic that 1 in 7 women in their lifetime will get breast cancer.
“Macmillan is committed to supporting everyone who is unfortunate enough to be part of this club and will do whatever it takes to support them. I would urge people to host a coffee morning, in whatever way they choose, to help Macmillan continue this vital work. And remember – it doesn’t have to be cake - there are loads of healthy options to serve up!”
Brenda Edwards was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2016. She is now symptom-free. She said, “My cancer treatment involved intense chemotherapy, a mastectomy and breast reconstruction. I would encourage anyone who notices changes to their breasts or has concerns to contact their GP or if you’ve received a cancer diagnosis, use the support Macmillan Cancer Support can offer. For information, support or just someone to talk to visit macmillan.org.uk.
“And people up and down the country are coming together to host a Macmillan Coffee Morning, and you can too. Whether you raise pennies or pounds, you’ll be a part of something incredible, helping people with cancer live life as fully as they can.
This year’s Macmillan’s Coffee Morning is on Friday 27 September and the charity is urging the public to sign-up to host a Coffee Morning and bring people together to make a difference for people living with cancer. In 2023, over £18 million was raised by people holding events with £1.5million of this coming from Coffee Mornings across the capital. The money raised was enough to fund more than 260 Macmillan nurses for a year.
Claire Spencer, Marketing Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support says: “The countdown to Coffee Morning is officially on, and it’s always so fantastic to see so many people get involved. Whether it’s a chai afternoon, a ‘barks and bakes’ dog walk or a kitchen disco in the office, people can host their Coffee Morning anyway and anywhere they want.
“Cancer can disrupt every part of peoples’ lives. Every Coffee Morning held around the UK will raise vital funds to help Macmillan to support everyone with a cancer diagnosis to get the care that they need, whoever and wherever they are.”
2023 was one of the worst years on record for cancer treatment delays in the NHS across the UK and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the physical health of people with cancer has increased to its highest level since Macmillan first started tracking it.