Ipswich mum with cancer creates Hope to Connect platform

Hope to Connect will be a platform designed for people with cancer who are experiencing loneliness.

It will bring people who have the disease together and provide a safe space to connect, understand and uplift one another, whether for friendship or for love.

The app creators, Emma Adams from Ipswich and Mandeep Birdy from Felixstowe, have created a crowdfunder to help build the platform.

Emma was first diagnosed with cancer in 2023 (Image: Submitted) Emma was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer this year (Image: Submitted)

Emma, 43, was first diagnosed with cancer in 2023. She spent 2024 ticking things off her bucket list with her 17-year-old daughter before, earlier this year, finding out that she had a new breast cancer and a secondary cancer which had spread to her arm, making it stage 4.

She has been told she has just 12 months left to live.

She said: "As someone who is single and living with cancer, I’ve personally experienced a deep sense of isolation.

Emma was told she had stage 4 cancer this year (Image: Submitted)

"I’ve been ghosted on dating apps after being honest about my diagnosis, something no one should have to go through.

"I am lucky to have my daughter, who has already been through so much, and has shown incredible strength through it all.

"It's my dream to see this platform launched before I pass, to leave a legacy for my daughter, and to help others like me for years to come."

Emma and Mandeep (Image: Submitted)

App creator Mandeep, added: "There are two main focuses on the platform: an area for friendships and companionship, and a separate area for dating.

"It will be a place where users can find others going through the same thing as you, and it will be at your fingertips whenever you need it, any time of the day or night.

"It’s not just for single people; it’s for everyone. Having lost loved ones to cancer, and seeing Emma go through her journey, I want so much to do something about those moments of loneliness that only someone with cancer understands.

"I’m deeply passionate about this platform and hope it can ease the experience of cancer even if just a little."

Emma was able to take a flying lesson last year, something on her bucket list (Image: Submitted) Emma was able to take a flying lesson last year, something on her bucket list (Image: Submitted)