Gerald Jones MP commits to help beat Cancer sooner
As the new MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, Gerald has pledged his support to help Cancer Research UK save more lives across the UK
Gerald attended a parliamentary event held by the charity in Westminster on July 8th to speak to Cancer Research UK about how MPs can help keep cancer at the top of the new parliament’s agenda.
With one in two people now set to be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, the charity says the political drive to beat the disease must keep pace with the progress in research.
UK cancer survival rates are still lagging behind other countries and too many cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when they are harder to treat successfully.
At the event, Gerald met some of Cancer Research UK’s dedicated volunteer Campaign Ambassadors and received local cancer statistics for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney which underline the need for MPs to join the fight against the disease.
He said,
We cannot underestimate the devastating impact cancer will have on people in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney now and in the future. There were over 1,700 new cases diagnosed and around 830 fatalities in our constituency last year, so it gives me hope to hear that Cancer Research UK’s pioneering research is turning the tables on the disease.
We know the outlook for new and better cancer treatments in the UK is brighter than ever. However, it is clear that there is a critical role for politicians to play in helping to detect cancer earlier and bring innovative new treatments to patients faster. If diagnosed early, you’re three times more likely to survive cancer, so we all have an important role to play in raising awareness to beat this terrible disease.
One life lost to cancer is one too many and that’s why I’m lending my support to Cancer Research UK in their mission to beat cancer sooner.”
Layla Theiner, Cancer Research UK’s Head of Public Affairs and Campaigning said: “Without increased political support we could see the death toll from cancer rising in the UK and so we’re grateful to Mr Jones for helping to highlight the power of research in beating the disease.
“Survival rates in the UK have doubled in the last 40 years. But there’s still so much more to do and we can’t do it alone.
“Investment in creating the right environment in the UK to not only enable and foster research, but also to help prevent cancer and give patients the best possible access to treatments must be key priorities for the new Government.”
For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org. You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook.