World Cancer Day
Over the past ten years, I've seen friends lives ripped apart by cancer. Amongst the pain, torment and void often left by this awful disease, I also witnessed some of the most beautiful examples of humanity.
It's World Cancer day today, and I'm thinking about those people, some of them not with us anymore. I'm thinking about their stories, and what they point to, that there is still a lot to do when it comes to spotting and diagnosing cancer, especially in young people. I don't want this post to be an attack on the professionals whose job it is to fight cancer because I have no doubt they all wish the very best for their patients.
But, I do think the bigger picture, which includes NHS funding, scientific research and pharmaceutical companies needs work. Tessa Jowell was diagnosed with brain cancer last year. She spoke about a need for better survival rates (we currently have the worst in western Europe), more shared knowledge, broader access to experimental treatments and faster diagnosis in a recent speech in the House of Lords.
This development is going to take time, so for now, many people's chances of survival will fall to specialist care funded by private means. Last weekend I witnessed friends old and new coming together to raise funds for Giselle Chamberlain. She has got to the end of the road as far as NHS treatments for her brain cancer are concerned. Between Christmas and New Year, she was offered full brain radiotherapy to give her more time. But Giselle is a scientist, someone that knows a bit about cancer. She knows there are other options, some tested, some more experimental. I can't imagine what this must feel like, to know there is a possible way to get better, but it is out of reach for financial reasons.
I spent some time with Giselle and her husband Dom while she had daily radiotherapy treatments recently. I made this short piece with her, and I'd like you to take a listen. Giselle talks about some of the things mentioned above and why she is raising funds for her treatment. As you would expect, it's an emotional story, but one with hope and positivity weaved throughout.
And if you want to support Giselle's treatments, you can donate here.
