One of the most poignant events I attend as Member of Parliament for Crawley is the annual World Cancer Day reception on 4th February, in the House of Commons.
This year, four of the country’s leading charities; Cancer Research UK, Breast Cancer Care, Anthony Nolan and the Movember Foundation, united to raise awareness of their work to transform the lives of people affected by cancer.
I am sure that most people are aware of some or all of the four organisations. Cancer Research UK is dedicated to saving lives by researching the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, Breast Cancer Care is the only nationwide organisation providing care and support to people affected by breast cancer, Anthony Nolan helps to save the lives of people with blood cancer, and the Movember Foundation works to provide research and services to men with prostate and testicular cancer.
All four groups are working together to ask supporters to help raise awareness, make a donation, or wear a Unity Band, made of two parts knotted together, which represents the ‘strength in unity’ of what can be achieved when we all work together.
The Unity Bands are available from each charity in their own colours, for a suggested donation of £2, online at: www.worldcancerday.co.uk
All proceeds from the Unity Bands will go towards the charities’ individual research and support for patients.
One in two people born in the UK will develop cancer at some point in their lifetime. Today, two in four people survive cancer. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that three in four people will survive cancer within the next 20 years.
Last year, I hosted the World Cancer Day event in Parliament, which was a real honour – I reaffirmed my support by attending last week’s event.
Another organisation I am always pleased to support is Bloodwise.
Last year the charity, which has been operating since 1960, changed its name from Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, to highlight its work for patients with all blood cancers.
The new name was chosen to reflect the charity’s work for patients with all blood cancers, and unites everything being done to beat them, from world leading research and thought leadership, to patient support services and fundraising.
Supporting this charity is particularly important to me. My mum passed away because of a blood cancer, and I don’t think there’s hardly a family in the country that has not been affected in some way by cancer.
While World Cancer Day 2016 has been and gone, the dedicated research and support of all organisations fighting to defeat the disease continues all year round.