"The motivation behind all Jill's efforts on behalf of PAC has always been to help people in the community, at a time in their lives when they are vulnerable and in need to emotional support.  She has dedicated herself to this end since 1994.  It is wonderful that this professional help is absolutely free since so many people face financial hardships as a result of cancer"  -  Phyllis Higgins  - PAC senior administrator.

Nominated for the Beacon Fellowship and Inspirational Woman of the Year Award by Good Housekeeping magazine, Jill was described by Dr. Verna Lavender (Senior lecturer in cancer care) as:

" A truly remarkable woman, who through her exceptional commitment, has founded a unique, yet essential, charitable service offering free, one-to-one counselling by paid professional counsellors to anyone affected by, or bereaved by, cancer in the South West of England.

Following her own diagnosis of cancer in 1993, Jill has invested her full time and energy to developing Positive Action on Cancer to the groundbreaking and successful charity it is today.  Without Jill's exceptional contribution PAC would not exist, and consequently a significant number of people affected by cancer would not have received vital psychological support they needed."

Jill Miller said on her leaving:

“PAC has been a wonderful personal journey for me, one in which I wouldn’t have missed a day. There have been so many people to thank on the way; people who have been involved in the nuts & bolts of the organisation, people who have generously donated their time for fundraising and of course the staff, the committed volunteer team and the board of trustees. My respect and appreciation goes to the counselling team at PAC, led by Mary Taylor. These are the people on the coal-face, who have made a difference to the lives of people with cancer. I leave the service in good hands.

I would like to thank the people of Frome, for taking this charity to its heart and supporting it without reservation. I hope this great support will continue long into the future”

A representative from PAC stated:

"On behalf of the trustees we are extremely grateful to Jill for the time and dedication she has put in over the last 14 years to make PAC the charity which it now is. We are confident that the strong foundation that has been put in place by Jill will ensure the growth and ongoing success of this extremely beneficial service. Although we are aware of a number of projects and interests, which will undoubtedly keep Jill very busy in her retirement, the relationship between her and the charity will certainly continue. She has our heartfelt wishes for the future.

The service has changed and grown immeasurably - from a telephone helpline initially operating out of Jill and husband John's spare room to now receiving over one hundred clients per year offering 32 hours worth of sessions per week of professional counselling face to face. And the future looks set to grow even more with the opening of a much-cherished children's counselling service in April 2008. Jill has a lot to be proud of."

Angela Yeoman, HeadTeacher, Roger Whitewick, PAC staff and Chair of Trustees at The launch of the children's and young people's service.
Picture supplied by Phil Bishop 

Positive Action on Cancer launched a children and young peoples' counselling service on 28th April 2008.The service supports children who are affected by a cancer diagnosis; themselves, a member of their family or a friend. The service is based at the Frome premises of  the charity.                                      

If you would like to make a donation to this new service, you can do so on line. Go to the donations page and follow the instructions. We would very much appreciate your support.

PAC would like to thank The Somerset Foundation for the start up costs for the childrens service.

Donations from the Early Learning Centre in Bath

Pac received a generous donation of toys worth £390 from the Early Learning Centre in Bath to help us start up our new Children's Service.  We are very grateful to Sonia Donson, the shop manager for this gesture which is invaluable to the start-up of the service.

Audio Clip: 

Jill Miller talks with Elise Rayner on BBC Somerset Sound's Somerset's Drive on 3rd December 2007. LISTEN

Fundraising for PAC’s New Children’s Service

Mark Dobson and his three sons, George, James and Charlie, hand over £210.00 for the new children’s service. Photo by Phil Bishop.

Nunney First School and Mark and his family are no strangers to supporting PAC, Mark’s late wife Sharon was an enthusiastic and energetic supporter of the Frome based Charity alongside supporting many other local events and individuals, in her home town. The latest event was the RUH ‘Ted’s Big day Out’ and Nunney First School and parents organised a Mufti day. Sadly, this event took place, two days after Sharon died. Sharon was an inspiration to all who knew her and PAC is no exception in their appreciation for her support to the charity.

“Sharon was a lovely generous woman who always put others first” said Jill Miller founder of Positive Action on Cancer. “We are pleased this is the first fundraising event for the children’s service. We hope others will be inspired to support this initiative.”

The new service at Positive Action on Cancer supports children either through their own cancer experience or the experience of someone close to them who has cancer. The service is available at PAC from May 2008.