A mother from Evesham who was diagnosed with cancer just months after her son has launched a national campaign with her husband in an effort to save lives.

Su Howard Carter, along with her husband Jason, are supporting Cancer Research UK's 'More Research, Less Cancer' campaign.

Four-year-old Drew was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia days before his birthday in May 2022, five months before his mum was found to have stage three breast cancer.

 

 

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Mrs Howard Carter's treatment, which included drugs developed by the cancer charity, came to an end last month.

The Evesham family is now looking ahead towards their son reaching the end of his treatment later this summer.

Their support follows the charity's recent analysis, which estimates additional funds could help prevent an estimated 9,500 deaths from cancer in the West Midlands and Worcestershire within the next twenty years.

In the wider UK, up to 110,000 lives could be saved if mortality rates reduce by 15 per cent by 2040.

The campaign, backed by BBC journalist and fellow breast cancer survivor Victoria Derbyshire, endeavours to raise £400m to advance the battle against cancer.

Mr Howard Carter said: "Research into better treatments has given our family the greatest gift: more time with each other.

"We want to do everything we can to turn the tide on the disease by helping to raise vital awareness and funds."

The funds will help to cover the cost of revolutionary treatments and tests, support the Francis Crick Institute, and help bring together worldwide researchers to answer the most complex cancer questions through the Cancer Grand Challenges initiative.

Scientific research experts have signed an open letter warning of a "tipping point" in our understanding and treatment of cancer.

However, they emphasise an urgent requirement for additional support for life-saving research to defeat the disease.

Paula Young, spokesperson for Cancer Research UK in Worcestershire, said: "Ideas that were once science fiction, are becoming science fact.

"Now, 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."