Around 80 representatives from dozens of cancer charities and a selection of MPs, including the Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee Steve Brine MP, gathered outside Parliament with a unified message for the Prime Minister: it’s time to address the cancer emergency in England and take action to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer.
Although there is a common goal amongst charities and all hope to see fewer lives affected by cancer, charities within this sector are often engaged in separate projects and issue areas.
However, the worsening state of cancer care in England has mandated an unprecedented level of coalition work. It’s time to come together and stand with those affected by cancer.
Shaun Walsh, Head of Public Affairs and Campaigning at Cancer Research UK, marked the significance of this event: “We are sending a single message to government about the things that we know need to change in order to improve cancer care and survival in this country.”
More than 60 cancer charities, including Cancer Research UK, united as the coalition One Cancer Voice to petition the Prime Minister for fully funded, ambitious, long-term action on cancer in England.
The content of the new Major Conditions Strategy needs to be bold and inclusive of the evidence from the cancer community, and the UK Government needs to strive towards a longer-term, more comprehensive strategy.
In just four weeks, our petition was signed by more than 76,000 people – speaking as one voice for those affected by cancer.
