Cancer is a common disease of our era. The diagnosis can be devastating and therapies can have a high morbidity profile. However, treatments have evolved and discussion on quality of life issues, ‘what matters to me’ at every step of the cancer journey and survivorship with and beyond cancer are very important topics. Raising public awareness on such a common disease, discussing treatment and celebrating survivorship is key. Art can be the vehicle to initiate and promote these conversations. We present ‘The Cancer Tapestry’, a global piece of work led by the well known artist Andrew Crummy, a cancer survivor who designed The Great Tapestry of Scotland with the support of an oncologist and a surgeon. Our aim is like The Great Tapestry Of Scotland to involve at the very least 1000 volunteer stitchers, this time telling cancer stories ‘stitch by stitch’.

The Cancer Tapestry project was launched on the 4th February 2019 at the Scottish Parliament with The Health Minister putting in the first stitch. The Cancer Tapestry is starting to create new partnerships between patients, families, clinicians and senior leaders, raising public awareness of cancer.

Within a short period of time the work done on the initial tapestry creations have been shared on social media and are starting to initiate a much wider level of interest in the project.

The tapestry will initiate a patient centered conversation throughout the country and will allow patients, carers, healthcare workers and researchers to contribute stories related to their lived experience that surrounds cancer, cancer therapy, resilience and survivorship. It will be exhibited in galleries, hospitals and public areas and act as an educational tool.