Grantown's Jen is telling cancer to *******!
A talented Grantown illustrator who lost her brother to cancer last year has launched a special range of satirical greeting cards on what would have been his 43rd birthday.
Sometimes ‘Get Well Soon’ just doesn’t cut it. So wanting to provide her brother Han with meaningful and down-to-earth words of support, Jen Fisher began devising the colourful Bing Bong Mail cards.
They feature straight-talking, humorous messages of comfort that acknowledge the gruelling experience of life with cancer.
Jen, now based in Glasgow, told the Strathy earlier this year how she had come came up with the cards as a form of protest against cancer, which Han humorously called ‘the rat’.
She is delighted the cards are now available – they went on sale last Friday – with a third of funds going to Cancer Support Scotland.
The 40-year-old said: “Bing Bong Mail is all about spreading positive vibes, hope and humour and lighting up the dark corners people find themselves in.”
She said: “These cards are a way for people to show love, understanding and solidarity to people with cancer. It can be hard to find the right words but we know people don’t want to be pacified with a wishy-washy message.
“Let’s say it how it is and put a smile on each other’s faces in the process.”
A vivacious and free-spirited man, Jen’s older brother Han was diagnosed with metastatic bowel cancer in January 2020, undergoing extensive treatment including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.
He passed away last November during the second wave of Covid and sadly his family could not be at his side.
Championing her brother’s dark sense of humour, Bing Bong Mail cards feature a protest placard with slogans like “Bring on the drugs”, “Well this sucks” and “Apparently swearing helps” as well as some a bit more sweary.
The overall design was inspired by a strong feeling from Jen and her family that cancer was not a ‘journey’ as so often referred to, but a ‘war’ – a sustained attack on someone’s body, mind and soul.
Throughout the year and in the months since his death, Cancer Support Scotland has provided invaluable help to Jen and Han’s wife Sarah.
Jen said: “Throughout the hell of Han’s war with bowel cancer, Cancer Support Scotland were a massive help. There’s no way I could have been there to support Han as fully as I did if I didn’t have access to the counselling and stress management services the charity offers.
“I wanted to use the cards to support this amazing cause, so they can continue to provide this vital support for other families in the future.”
Jen hopes to use profits to create, print and release even more cards including ranges that speak to people going through a variety of hard-hitting illnesses.
Her idea was such a hit that she won a £500 cash boost from the Awesome Foundation to launch this part of her business.
Emma Connor, the charity’s fundraising manager, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be supported by the lovely Jen and her amazing project in memory of her very special brother.
“Jen’s creativity and humour are wonderful. We are looking forward to seeing her cards fly out the door. Humour can play such an important role in remaining positive and looking after your wellbeing. We think that Bing Bong Mail will bring a special smile to the recipient’s face.”
Jen is the daughter of ex-Grantown Grammar School art teacher Rosie and quantity surveyor Alan Fisher.
Bing Bong Mail cards are on sale now here .
