I intend to spend much time espousing the Conservative case for social justice in the coming years, which is a particular passion of mine given my mother's own disability and my work alongside the National Health Service for seven years.
I was delighted to be able to attend the Cancer Research UK drop in on 8th July 2015 in the Parliamentary reception. Such events will certainly help to raise awareness of their valuable work. At the event, I met some of Cancer Research UK’s dedicated volunteer Campaign Ambassadors and received local cancer statistics for Bath, which underline the need for MPs to join the fight against the disease.
We must not underestimate the devastating impact cancer will have on people in Bath now and in the future, so it gives me hope to hear that Cancer Research UK’s pioneering research is turning the tables on the disease.
The outlook for new and better cancer treatments in the UK is bright. 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. One life
lost to this terrible disease is one too many and that’s why I’m supporting Cancer Research UK in their mission to beat cancer sooner.
In a similar line of thought, I believe it is highly important to increase the number of stem cell (cord blood and bone marrow) donors in the UK, so I understand and welcome the vital work undertaken by Anthony Nolan.
Bone marrow donors are recruited by the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and the partner charity Anthony Nolan. Anthony Nolan and NHSBT work together to run a number of nationwide initiatives and campaigns to raise awareness of the need for donors and to increase the numbers of people signing up to become donors.
You may be interested to know that in March 2015 the Government announced an extra £3 million in additional funding for stem cell services. This funding will be used towards encouraging young adult donors as well as those from under-represented populations, such as black, Asian and ethnic minority communities who find it difficult to secure a suitable match. I am reassured that since 2010, the Government has provided a total of £19 million additional funding to improve the provision of cells in the United Kingdom.
In 2013, 258 more patients received a stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor than in 2010, which resulted in 130 lives saved.
This has only been possible because the Government has taken the difficult decision to reduce the deficit whilst continuing to increase funding in the NHS. This will help to secure a better future for Britain, where people can be confident that their NHS will be there for them - but you can only have a properly-funded NHS if you have a strong economy.
I am glad to see Anthony Nolan continuing to work with the NHS on this important issue and I wish it well with this campaign.