North Durham MP Kevan Jones joined forces with a dedicated cancer campaigner from to highlight Cancer Research UK’s ambition to help more people survive.
He met Lauren Honey 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.
Kevan Jones MP said: “It was a pleasure to meet Lauren and listen to her story. I want to do what I can to help beat cancer sooner.”
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 North East, this means that around 7,300 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 North East and across the UK beat cancer sooner.
Lauren 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.
Lauren 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.
“Everybody at some stage in their lives is affected by cancer, whether it being through personal diagnosis or the illness of a family member or friend. This shows how vital it is that we bring forward the day that 3 in 4 cancer sufferers survive. I am confident that, with the combination of the outstanding work that Cancer Research UK does and support from our representatives, this day is not far off.”
She continued: “It was fantastic to meet my MP, Kevan Jones, 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 Kevan to help more cancer patients survive.”
Kevan Jones said: “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