Tracey recently joined forces with a dedicated cancer campaigner from Chatham to highlight Cancer Research UK’s ambition to help more people survive.
She met Phil Wilson to find out the part she could play in helping to achieve Cancer Research UK’s ambition that within 20years three in four of all cancer patients diagnosed will survive at least ten years.
There have been major advances in the fight against cancer over the last 40 years and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress. 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 South East, this means that around 21,000* 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 South East and across the UK beat cancer sooner.
Phil 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.
Phil 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.
“Members of my family have been affected by the disease and this is why I wanted to volunteer my time and lend my voice to support the charity’s work.”
He continued: “It was fantastic to meet my MP Tracey Crouch 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 Tracey to help more cancer patients survive.”
Phil urged Tracey to write to the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt MP, asking him to back measures to improve early diagnosis, including public awareness campaigns and increased participation in the bowel cancer screening programme.
Tracey said: “It was a pleasure to meet Phil and listen to his story. 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
