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Cancer 2020 Campaign


This is a photo of my lovely daughter, known to you as Lily, in her role as Ambassador for Cancer Research UK, meeting Constituency Assembly Member for Cardiff Central, Jenny Randerson.

Lily is one of 40 volunteer campaigners who have been recruited across Wales by the charity to seek improvements in cancer services and policy for Wales. Cancer Research UK’s Cancer 2020 Campaign calls for a Cancer Plan for Wales which would focus on prioritising cancer prevention, improving early presentation, detection and screening and the uniform provision of cancer treatment across the country.

Many of the charity’s ambassadors are themselves cancer patients and survivors but Lily volunteered because of what had happened in our family. In her words:

‘When my grandfather developed pancreatic cancer in 2004 one of the few positives was that he was treated at a nearby hospital, the Royal Marsden, the first hospital in the world dedicated purely to treatment and research of cancer. Although there was no cure for this form of cancer and, sadly, he died 18 months later, he was able to take part in a trial of new treatment in the hope that information gathered from this would help future sufferers. The way in which his cancer was managed demonstrated to me the importance of a well-planned, well-run system and the difference that this could make not only to the patient and their family but also to the prevention and treatment of the disease in the future.’

I think that just about sums up why a Welsh cancer plan is so important.
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Comments

Flowerpot said…
Good for her, Chris. Having lost many friends and family to cancer, I can only endorse such a scheme. By the way, I like the new look blog but miss the picture of you!
9 July 2008 at 01:24
Chris Stovell said…
I'm still here... just put myself further down. Thought everyone would be tired of mad grinning woman with piggy eyes!
9 July 2008 at 01:39
Norma Murray said…
Good Luck to Lily and all the others involved in this wonderful work.
9 July 2008 at 02:14
Unknown said…
Chris,

It was lovely to meet your daughter the other day and gain such an insight into her experiences. I have promised her that I will keep in touch with news of any progress in the Assembly.

I am absolutely convinced of the need for a Welsh Cancer Plan and will continue to try to push this issue up the political agenda in Wales.

Congratulations on your excellent blog as well.

Best Wishes,
Jenny Randerson
Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health and Social Services, Assembly Member for Cardiff Central
9 July 2008 at 03:44
Maggie Christie said…
What a proud mum you must be! Good luck to Lily in her new role. xx Mags.

(PS: Nice comment from Jenny Randerson too.)
9 July 2008 at 04:04
Elizabethd said…
Well done, how good to see someone young involved. For many years in England I was involved with Macmillan Cancer Research, but we were all 'of a certain age'.!
9 July 2008 at 05:08
Frances said…
Hello Chris,

What a lovely and smart daughter you have! All best wishes to her and her worthy work.

xo
9 July 2008 at 05:50
Edward said…
Great work by daughter! Both my parents died of cancer and I heartily agree that prevention and early detection are of paramount importance - but please, not only in Wales!
9 July 2008 at 07:15
Chris Stovell said…
Edward,
England has a Cancer Reform Strategy and there is a revised Cancer in Scotland Strategy but Wales has never had a long-term cancer plan.
9 July 2008 at 08:29
Flowerpot said…
oh yes, THERE you are! I like that picture.
9 July 2008 at 08:52
Elizabeth Musgrave said…
Great work Lily and I couldn't agree more about the importance of a cancer plan. She is very articulate in her own writing - must be in the genes!
9 July 2008 at 11:49
LITTLE BROWN DOG said…
What an inspiring young woman! You have a fantastic daughter there, Chris! Hats off to Lily. This is a subject very close to my heart, as you probably know - my sister is battling cancer in Wales and my father in law was a cancer specialist at the Marsden for many years. Sounds as though Lily is doing a great job keeping this issue in the public eye.
9 July 2008 at 14:56
CAMILLA said…
The very best of luck to your daughter Lily. I have worked with Macmillan Nurses and know how important the Cancer Plan is vital in it's research.

xx
9 July 2008 at 17:12
Deborah Carr (Debs) said…
What a lovely, caring and hard-working daughter you have, no wonder you're so proud of her.

Best of luck to her in her new role as Ambassador for Cancer Research UK.
10 July 2008 at 10:17
Zinnia Cyclamen said…
So good that Lily's taken this on, not just because it's an excellent cause in itself, but because it's good to have the carer/relative perspective included. Cancer doesn't only affect those who suffer from it directly, it also affects their families and friends, and good treatment recognises, respects and includes them.
10 July 2008 at 11:53
Lane Mathias said…
Lily is indeed very lovely - and that's a great thing she's doing.
You must be very proud:-)
10 July 2008 at 12:03
Westerwitch/Headmistress said…
Excellent cause and well done Lilly . . . spot on words as well.
11 July 2008 at 01:56
Un Peu Loufoque said…
well said and well done Lily.
11 July 2008 at 02:56
Cait O'Connor said…
It makes such a difference where you are treated for cancer doesn't it? I (and also friends of mine) have been very impressed by the high standards of breast cancer treatment in Cardiff's (Velindre) hospital so no complaints there.But I agree, Wales as a whole has a long way to go NHS wise.
Your daughter is doing a great job, well done Lily!
11 July 2008 at 14:30
Pipany said…
This is something Cornwall is currently battling with - our main hospital is having cancer treatments taken away and moved to the next county and so the fight is on to avoid patients and their families undergoing even more stress with the distances involved. You must be very proud of Lily, Chris - good for her xx
13 July 2008 at 23:55
Pondside said…
How proud you must be very proud of your Lily. It is so heartening for me to see young people take in interest in something that may seem completely to foreign to many of them.
4 August 2008 at 09:30
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