Why it matters: The 42-year-old single mother from Suffolk is developing Hope to Connect™ with friend and local app developer Mandeep Birdy after experiencing rejection and "ghosting" in the dating world simply for being honest about her illness.
The big picture: Hope to Connect™ will be the first platform designed exclusively for people affected by cancer to find meaningful relationships – whether friendship, companionship, community or love. The app addresses the "deep loneliness" that often follows a cancer diagnosis, which is rarely addressed alongside the physical and emotional impacts.
The personal story: Emma's journey began in 2023 when she was first diagnosed with cancer at 42. After going into remission, she spent 2024 ticking off bucket list adventures with her 17-year-old daughter. However, in early 2025, she received devastating news – a new breast cancer and secondary cancer that had spread to her arm, now stage 4.
"This is more than an app. It's a movement to ensure that no one walking through cancer ever feels truly alone again," Emma said.
The partnership: Emma joined forces with Mandeep Birdy, whose friend Merry died from cancer in 2020, leaving behind two young daughters. Mandeep, who has a background in apps and community development for social impact, witnessed the gap between support and true understanding during her friend's cancer journey.
"I wished there had been a space where Merry could connect with someone who genuinely got it," Mandeep explained.
What's next: Hope to Connect™ is currently seeking seed funders, investors and donors, with all supporters to be honoured on a digital Wall of Recognition.
The duo will host their first launch and networking event on 12 June at the Curve Bar in Ipswich. Guests can enter a raffle featuring prizes including a signed Ipswich Town FC first-team shirt, a round of golf for four, an electric flight experience and a tattoo.
All proceeds will support the app's development costs.
For those who cannot attend: Raffle tickets are available online at https://bit.ly/HTC-raffle, with event tickets at https://bit.ly/HTC-June12.
The bottom line: Emma and Mandeep aim to turn their own painful experiences with cancer into hope for thousands of others, creating the first app designed specifically to end the isolation that comes with a cancer diagnosis. The founders are committed to gifting a percentage of proceeds to support cancer charitable organisations and grassroots activities.
