Andrew Percy MP supports the UK's largest ever blood cancer awareness campaign
Our local MP Andrew Percy is supporting our national campaign to coincide with Blood Cancer Awareness Month this September.
Thousands of giant billboards have been unveiled across the country as part of the UK’s largest ever blood cancer public awareness campaign, which are highlighting the fact that blood cancer is comprised of 137 individual diseases.
Every year in the UK 38,000 people are diagnosed with a blood cancer, with 14,000 people tragically losing their life. It is the UK’s third biggest cancer killer and combined blood cancer accounts for 1 in 10 of all new cancer diagnoses each year. Yet despite claiming more lives in the UK each year than breast or prostate cancer, research undertaken by Bloodwise has revealed that many people have little or no knowledge about blood cancers.
Throughout September Bloodwise are calling on MPs to support the campaign, and help raise awareness of blood cancer in their constituencies.
Diana Jupp, Director of Patient Experience at Bloodwise, said: ‘‘It’s fantastic that Andrew Percy MP - who has been a great supporter of the Winterton and District Branch of Bloodwise - is showing his support for blood cancer patients and their families and sharing the important messages of our campaign with constituents in Brigg and Goole.’’
“38,000 people are diagnosed with a blood cancer each year in the UK, yet very few people are familiar with the term “blood cancer”. Patients have told us that a lack of awareness has a significant impact throughout their patient journey – from confusion and uncertainty at diagnosis to being unaware of the organisations that provide the support and care they need.”
“This lack of awareness of one of the most common forms of cancer cannot be tackled overnight, and this campaign is the first step to addressing this problem. Increased political support is crucial if we are to improve outcomes for all patients affected by the 137 types of blood cancer.’’
At the Bloodwise drop-in awareness event in Westminster Andrew praised the work of our branch, speaking highly of our work having attended our £50K Celebration Evening last year. The event was a chance for us to give blood cancer patients a voice in parliament by giving MP's the chance to learn about our research priorities.
"We are thrilled to have the support of our local MP" said Daniel Redhead, Branch Co-ordinator
"We were really pleased that Andrew made it to the Bloodwise Westminster event to show his support this blood cancer awareness month. He's also been in touch with me since informing me that he has been lobbying for approvals on a new drug for multipule myeloma, which is fantastic news. His support means a great deal to us and will help us on our mission to beat all 137 types of blood cancer."
The 137 campaign runs throughout blood cancer awareness month, please look out for the campaign billboards and posters across the county and in our area.
