Local MP Mark Pawsey joined forces with a dedicated cancer campaigner from Rugby to highlight Cancer Research UK’s ambition to help more people survive.
He met Fiona Sewell to find out the part he could play in helping to achieve Cancer Research UK’s ambition that within 20 years three in four of all cancer patients diagnosed will survive at least ten years.
Mark said: “It was a pleasure to meet Fiona in Westminster and listen to her story. I want to do what I can to help beat cancer sooner.”
Two in four people diagnosed with cancer today in the UK will survive their disease for at least ten years, compared to just one in four in the early 1970s. In the West Midlands, this means that around 14,000* people each year can now expect to survive the disease for at least ten years. But despite the successes, Cancer Research UK believes much more can be done to help more people in the West Midlands and across the UK beat cancer sooner.
Fiona was one of over 100 Cancer Research UK Ambassadors who came to Westminster in early July to meet their MPs and highlight the importance of parliamentary support to accelerate progress in the fight against cancer.
Fiona, aged 52, a student, mum and volunteer lobbyist, said: “I’m really excited to have taken part in Cancer Research UK’s day of action, because I know that this is a great way to help make a difference.
“I feel passionate about supporting Cancer Research UK’s work. So many people are diagnosed with cancer and it’s vital that we do all we can to help save more lives.
“It was fantastic to meet Mark and discuss my reasons for becoming a Cancer Research UK Campaigns Ambassador and why early diagnosis matters to me personally. Cancer Research UK is making huge progress but we need the help and support of MPs like Mark to help more cancer patients survive.”
Mark concluded: “The charity’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer is helping to save millions of lives. It’s vital that we continue to support their work and do everything we can to help beat cancer sooner.”
For more information on how to get involved in Cancer Research UK’s campaigning work, visit cruk.org/campaigns