UK: The Boom Foundation

Organisation Profile
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The Boom Foundation is the only charity in Northern Ireland dedicated to supporting patients suffering from sarcoma cancer.  There are over 100 new patients diagnosed with sarcoma each year in NI, many of whom are children. In its first year (April 2013 - April 2014), the charity was registered with the NI Charity Commission and had raised over £100,000 through voluntary donations.   To date, the charity has raised over £800,000 through voluntary donations and its fundraising efforts.
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Boom’s Objectives and Activities
The Charity’s objectives are:

1. Promote and protect the physical and mental health of sufferers of sarcoma cancer in Northern Ireland through the provision of financial assistance, support and practical advice
2. To advance the education of the general public in all areas relating to sarcoma
3. To advance the research of sarcoma cancer through the provision of financial support to Sarcoma UK (“Sarcoma UK”) (a registered charity in the UK under charity number 7487432).
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   In October 2013, the Boom Foundation joined forces with Sarcoma UK, which has allowed them to enhance their understanding surrounding the diagnoses and treatment of sarcoma as well as ensuring that research is continually supported through their own endeavours.  Most importantly, Boom has been able to offer support to sarcoma sufferers throughout their illness for the first time in NI.
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   Unique referral system
   Boom has a unique referral system in place with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (the two HSCNI Trusts who deliver care to sarcoma patients). When a patient is diagnosed in NI with sarcoma, a referral is made by their consultant oncologist and sent to Boom. Boom have a dedicated team of volunteers who liaise with the patient throughout their treatment, ensuring that they and their family receive the unfettered support they require without delay.   Referrals for financial support are not means tested in any way and examples of support include the following (this is in no way an exhaustive list):
   ​1. Winter fuel allowance (sent to every patient in January / February of each year);
   2. Car modifications (for instance, following a patient’s amputation);
   3. Private counselling;
   4. Private tuition for children undertaking treatment during GCSE / AS / A-Level;
   5. Travel insurance;
   6. Funding the travel to GB and abroad for patients’ families during periods of treatment; and
   weekend breaks;
   7. Provision of an IPAD for children who are beginning treatment in hospital;
   8. Provision of private personal training/ swimming lessons for patients in rehabilitation (particularly those who have had an amputation).
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   As noted above, each winter the Boom team issue winter fuel cheques to every sarcoma patient in Northern Ireland, whether these patients are currently undertaking treatment or not and whether perhaps only under 3 monthly reviews (treatment having finished).
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   Boom also has restricted funds to support patients with amputations and assist them with funding of prosthetics.
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   Voluntary run charity​
   Boom is a voluntary run charity with no overheads.  50% of the money raised is used in Northern Ireland, offering practical support and assistance to patients.  The remaining 50% goes to Sarcoma UK to fund vital research into sarcoma and its treatment.  The charity’s six trustees and members of the charity give their time voluntarily to ensure that patients receive the support that they need, when they need it.  As the charity continues to grow, it relies on the continuing support and generosity of individuals, businesses and organizations across Northern Ireland. Boom is privileged to work closely with health professionals in Northern Ireland which means that it provides support in the right way to patients and their families.
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   In 2020, the Boom Foundation was able to fund its first Boom Sarcoma Specialist Nurse who works at (and is employed by) the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.  Boom has now funded an additional full time CNS at Belfast Trust - known as ’Sophie’s CNS’, named after one of our young patients who passed away.
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   Boom facilitates the only support group in Northern Ireland.  The support group, which is held quarterly, provides patients and their families with an open forum allowing them to discuss any problems or concerns that they may have. The support group is not “typical” in the sense that it is run like a ’motivational workshop’ with professional led discussions and key speakers.
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   Every two years, Boom holds a large-scale patient information day, inviting patients and their families from all across N.I. to join them for a day of informative and inspirational talks from sarcoma specialists and survivors.  Our recent patient information day was held in November 2024 where we welcomed patients and family members from all over Northern Ireland who were given the opportunity to meet other patients with similar diagnoses.
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   At the very center of what Boom does is the sarcoma patient and his/her family. Boom wants to ensure that the charity will develop alongside the needs of sarcoma patients and that it expeditiously fills any gaps in the support afforded to them.
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   Achievements
   ​Boom has received an overwhelming level of support since its launch back in 2013 and in early 2014.  The Charity has been this new charity was jointly awarded ‘Ulster Tatler Charity of the Year’ alongside another charity.   Boom’s success has continued in recent years having been selected as Charity of the Year by Sainsburys Coleraine, Worthingtons solicitors, the Mayor of Ards and North Down and the Bar Library of Northern Ireland.
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   In 2017, Leona was awarded the “Point of Light Award” by the Prime Minister.  In a personal letter to me, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
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   “The Boom Foundation is changing the lives of hundreds of people living with sarcoma across Northern Ireland. Your tireless dedication to this cause is a wonderful tribute to Philip’s life.”
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   In 2017 the Trustees were invited to 10 Downing Street where they joined the Sarcoma UK team in meeting with the then Prime Minister, Theresa May.
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   Leona was also named on the Independent Newspapers “Happy List 2017” which is a list of 50 individuals from across the United Kingdom who are considered inspirational heroes and heroines whose kindness, courage and selflessness makes the country a better place to live in.
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   In 2021, Sarcoma UK asked Leona to be an Ambassador for Sarcoma UK
   https://sarcoma.org.uk/about-us/meet-the-team/meet-our-sarcoma-uk-ambassadors/ <https://sarcoma.org.uk/about-us/meet-the-team/meet-our-sarcoma-uk-ambassadors/>
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   ​In 2024 Leona received an MBE for charitably services to the sarcoma community.