The Cancer and Pisces Trust
Cancer and Pisces helps people with cancer use the benefits of fishing to deal with their diagnosis.
Using angling to help people living with cancer
The Trust was formed after lifelong angler Mick May published his book ‘Cancer and Pisces’ in 2020 which tells the story of his life since diagnosis with a terminal cancer in 2013 and the part his love of fishing had to play until his battle ended in March 2022.
Shortly after the book’s publication, well-known fishing entrepreneur, coach and guide, Marina Gibson, suggested to Mick that they should set up an angling club dedicated to cancer sufferers and their carers. Marina had already negotiated for the purpose exclusive access to the well-stocked lake at the award-winning Swinton Park Hotel in North Yorkshire for the purpose.
Mick jumped at the idea so he and Marina set about recruiting a very small band to make the dream a reality and The Cancer and Pisces Trust was registered with the Charity Commission (number: 1195567) in August 2021 and formerly launched at the Swinton Estate in May 2022.
Fans of the BBC TV series ‘Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing’ may have see Marina and Mick when they were featured in Series 4: Episode 5. If you missed it – follow the link.
“Angling clubs go back decades… but the Cancer and Pisces Club is something new.”
The Cancer and Pisces Trust Club
The Cancer and Pisces Trust is a cancer charity that aims to enhance the lives of cancer sufferers through the therapeutic pastime of angling, helping them to connect with both the natural world and one another.
In addition to helping found the Trust, Marina Gibson also runs the Northern Fishing School which is based at the beautiful Swinton Estate near Ripon in North Yorkshire. Once a month during the main May to October trout fishing season the estate is a fishing centre for club members and their immediate carers where members are able to meet people in a similar position in a relaxed and informal setting. At the same time members can also enjoy some great fishing with qualified guides who are on hand to provide you with expert assistance.
Two simple but enormous benefits of becoming a member of the Cancer and Pisces Club are that it provides a space where those who have been recently diagnosed are able to seek support by talking with other cancer sufferers who can vividly recall how they felt when first being informed about their condition. Secondly, fishing has thoroughly documented therapeutic benefits, backed by clinical research. For example, a recent US medical study, undertaken with conflict veterans suffering from PTSD, found that it reduced stress, depression and anxiety, whilst increasing resilience and self esteem as well as the ability to cope with adversity.
