THIS year marks 40 years since the very first Macmillan nurse was appointed.

Macmillan nurses help people affected by cancer, their families and carers make informed decisions about treatment, and guide them through the maze of different services.

They also offer emotional support and help people with cancer deal with their symptoms and pain.

So I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Macmillan nurses in the area, past and present, for their much-needed work.

Any reader looking for cancer information and support can visit macmillan.org.uk

Fay Scullion, General manager for Macmillan Cancer Support in Northern England, Fawcett Street, York.