On 11 April 2026, something extraordinary is set to happen in Suffolk. The UK’s first ever World Record Attempt to create the World’s Largest Human Cancer Awareness Ribbon.
The goal is the gather 10,000 people at Trinity Park: Ipswich, united by one shared purpose: The record attempt is about far more than breaking a record, it’s about connection, community, and ensuring that no one ever faces cancer alone.
The world record is being led by ‘Hope To Connect’, a UK-based start-up app designed to help people affected by cancer connect for friendship, support and love. Whether someone is living with cancer, supporting a loved one, or navigating life after loss, Hope To Connect exists to reduce the isolation so many people feel on a cancer journey.
Hope To Connect was founded by Emma and Mandeep, two Suffolk-based women brought together by lived experience of cancer, from diagnosis, treatment and survival, to the devastating loss of loved ones.
For Em, cancer became deeply personal when she was diagnosed with aggressive triple-negative breast cancer. Alongside treatment, motherhood, and the emotional toll of illness, one thing stood out clearly: cancer can be an incredibly lonely place, even when you’re surrounded by people.
For Mandeep, the impact of cancer came through loss, watching loved ones navigate their own journeys and witnessing first-hand how isolating and overwhelming it can be. Together, Em and Mandeep shared the same frustration: support often exists, but it’s hard to find, fragmented, and not always available in the moments you need it most. From that shared understanding, Hope To Connect was born.
The app is being built as a safe, inclusive space where people affected by cancer can find others who truly understand. Users will be able to connect by cancer type, age and location, build friendships, explore dating if they choose, access wellbeing resources, create bucket lists, and be signposted to trusted cancer charities. Importantly, Hope To Connect is committed to giving back, pledging a percentage of future profits to cancer charities chosen by the community.
The world record attempt reflects everything Hope To Connect stands for. It brings people together physically, emotionally, and symbolically. Ten thousand individuals, wearing different colours to represent different cancer awareness ribbons, forming one powerful message of unity and hope. It will also raise vital funds to help build the app and support five cancer charities, including local organisations making a real difference every day.
This event is about Suffolk showing the world what community looks like. It’s about families, friends, survivors, carers, children and grandparents standing side by side. And it’s about proving that when we connect, we are stronger.
On 11 April 2026, Suffolk won’t just be attempting a world record, it will be making history for cancer awareness, compassion, and connection.
The app they are building will change the lives of many cancer patients that currently face cancer alone and we hope to get this built in 2026!
Hope to Connect
Born from love and strength, two women are on a mission to help those with cancer feel less alone.
Events with Hope to Connect
- Sat 11th Apr 2026
Who wrote this about Ipswich?
Sam Sherman
Sam is a Co-Founder of Ipswich.love. Passionate about Ipswich, Sam looks to see how we might jointly reverse some of the recent negativity and bring some deserved positivity back to our beloved Town.
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