Norfolk Urged To Unite With Stars Against Cancer

“NOW IS THE TIME TO STAND UP TO CANCER”  – Norfolk urged to unite with Amy Conroy and other stars this Friday, 15 October

People across Norfolk and beyond are being urged to make a date with the stars to Stand Up To Cancer tomorrow (Friday, 15 October).

As part of the joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, a thought-provoking short film has been produced featuring Norwich Paralympian Amy Conroy, who lost her leg to bone cancer as a child, to highlight the importance of ‘people power’ in saving more lives. It will be shown during the live TV show tomorrow evening.

With around 36,800 people diagnosed with cancer every year in East Anglia*, the message in the film has never been more important – now is the time to Stand Up To Cancer.

Drawing on inspirational footage from the Black Lives Matter protests and the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, the film highlights the positive change that can be achieved when humanity stands up for what it believes in.

Amy and a host of famous faces, many of whom have lost people to the disease, appear alongside cancer patients, their loved ones and medical staff as they call upon the nation to donate to help change history and stop cancer in its tracks.

Amy said: “Before I was a teenager cancer had taken my mother and turned my world upside down. At 12 I spent a year in hospital after being diagnosed with bone cancer and lost my leg as a result. I Stand Up To Cancer for everyone who has been diagnosed, lost someone and been affected by the disease. I fully champion the incredible advances in science and treatments that this campaign funds.”

Since 2012 Stand Up To Cancer has raised more than £84 million in the UK, funding 59 clinical trials and projects involving over 19,000 cancer patients.

These include the development of new treatments that use viruses to fight cancer, clinical trials testing potentially more effective ways to deliver radiotherapy and improved surgical techniques for bowel cancer.

Michael Jarvis, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Norfolk, said: “Cancer can affect anyone’s life, at any time. So, we only have one option: accelerate life-saving research.

“That’s why we hope this powerful film will inspire supporters across Norfolk and beyond to play their part, and help shape a future where more people can spend more tomorrows with their loved ones.

“By raising vital funds, we give power to scientists who are working tirelessly to get new tests and treatments to people who need them most. If we all stand together, we can save lives.”

To donate or fundraise visit su2c.org.uk.