Trafford Town Hall is to be lit up purple for the day to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.
The Council is supporting World Pancreatic Cancer Day on 21 November, 2019, by shining the light onto the historic building in Stretford.
Purple is the colour associated with pancreatic cancer and the families of loved ones who have died due to the disease campaign for buildings to be lit up on the special day.
Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive form of cancer and, tragically, less than seven per cent of sufferers in the UK will survive beyond five years.
There are certain factors that can increase your risk of pancreatic cancer. Being older, having a family history of pancreatic cancer, smoking, being overweight, pancreatitis and diabetes are all risk known risk factors for pancreatic cancer. Stopping smoking, not drinking excessive alcohol, eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight are all ways that you can reduce your risk.
Trafford Council Business Support Officer Jaki Molyneux is one of thousands to be affected by pancreatic cancer – she lost her father George Lovesay to the disease aged just 66 in 2002.
Mrs Molyneux, whose idea it was to have Trafford Town Hall lit up, said:
This year marks 17 years since my dad lost his battle with the disease, the days fall exactly as they did in 2002 meaning that on the 21st it will be exactly 17 years since my last hug with my dad, he passed away in the early hours of Saturday November 23rd 2002. Then, eight months later, we had to relive the whole nightmare again when Mum’s brother was diagnosed with PC, Uncle Eric passed away on July 25th 2003 just 3 weeks after diagnosis.
I wanted to see the town hall lit up to raise awareness of the disease and to remember all those who have died and their families who have been left devastated. Please act quickly if you suspect that a loved one may have pancreatic cancer. There are a number of signs to look out for including weight loss, jaundice, bowel problems and vomiting.
A major issue is that there is a lack of early detection and a problem with misdiagnosis which has resulted in a low survival rate. More needs to be done to help sufferers – we need more research and a higher survival rate. But it is very important to raise awareness and I am thankful to Trafford Council for allowing the building to be lit up for the day.”
Dr Ann Harrison, Clinical Lead for Cancer at NHS Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said:
With rates of pancreatic cancer increasing and approximately 10,000 people diagnosed in the UK each year, I think it is absolutely right that we draw attention to this particular type of cancer and I thank Jaki for helping us to raise awareness in the borough. If you have any concerns I would urge anyone to contact their GP."
A spokesman for Trafford Council said:
Jaki’s story is absolutely heartbreaking and her nightmare is being felt by thousands of families across the country. We are delighted to support World Pancreatic Cancer Day and look forward to lighting up the Town Hall in purple to support this fabulous cause.”
For more information, please go to the Purple Lights for Pancreatic Cancer website at https://purplelightsuk.org/
Posted on Wednesday 20th November 2019