AN EVESHAM couple whose lives were turned upside down by cancer are calling for urgent investment in research.
Su Howard Carter says her and her son, Drew, are living proof of the power of research after she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, just five months after Drew was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Her treatment, which included five drugs Cancer Research UK helped to develop, finished last month (January).
Now, as they look forward to their little boy ringing the end of treatment bell this summer, Su and husband Jason are supporting the launch of the Cancer Research UK’s new campaign – More Research, Less Cancer.
With cancer cases on the rise in the West Midlands region, the campaign fronted by BBC journalist and breast cancer survivor Victoria Derbyshire, aims to raise £400m to help accelerate progress in the fight against the disease and is the largest ever philanthropic fundraising drive by a UK charity.
Jason, a data manager for an energy company, said: “Research into better treatments has given our family the greatest gift: more time with each other.
“We’ve been through so much and it’s been tough going but, thanks to groundbreaking research and treatments, Drew has been able to start school and we can start looking forward to a normal family life again.
“Now, we want to do everything we can to turn the tide on the disease by helping to raise vital awareness and funds.”
The More Research, Less Cancer campaign will support innovation that translates discoveries in the lab into revolutionary new tests and treatments, find and fund future leaders in cancer research and much more.
Paula Young, spokesperson for Cancer Research UK in Worcestershire, said: “It’s vital that future advances are not held back by a lack of funding, when so many incredible breakthroughs are almost within our reach.
“Ideas that were once science fiction, are becoming science fact.
“We’re standing on the brink of discoveries like new blood tests that could detect cancer at an earlier stage, and algorithms that could predict someone’s cancer risk and stop it from developing in the first place.
“Discoveries ultimately have the power to give people like Su and Drew more time with their loved ones.
“That’s why we need more research, more research means less cancer.”
Visit cruk.org/more-research to find out more.
