Sir John Whittingdale, MP for Maldon, added a splash of pink to his usual Westminster attire to support Breast Cancer Now’s wear it pink fundraiser, which will take place on Friday 18 October to raise vital funds for world-class breast cancer research and life-changing support.
Sir John, was joined by other parliamentarians in Westminster this week, to show support for everyone affected by breast cancer.
Sir John is calling for his constituents in Maldon to join him, as well as thousands of others across the UK to sign up and take part in wear it pink which takes place during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to date has raised over £41million towards Breast Cancer Now’s important work.
Anyone can take part in wear it pink, whether at school, work or at home. All you need to do is wear something pink, or hold a pink themed event, and donate to Breast Cancer Now. With every penny raised, fundraisers across the UK will be helping the charity achieve its vision that by 2050 everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives and is supported to live well.
Sir John Whittingdale MP said:
“Every 10 minutes, someone in the UK hears the words “you have breast cancer”. It’s the most common cancer in the UK. Each year around 11,500 women and 85 men lose their lives to the disease. That’s why I’m so passionate about encouraging everyone in Maldon to take part in wear it pink day on Friday 18 October.
“Wear it pink is great way to come together with friends and family to have fun whilst raising money for Breast Cancer Now’s world-class research and life-changing support. As you can see from my photograph, all it takes is an additional splash of pink to your normal outfit!
“I am proud to raise awareness of the impact of the disease locally, and to support and advocate for Breast Cancer Now’s research. Breast cancer affects so many people in [insert
constituency], so I hope that everybody in [insert place] will get involved this October and support this very important cause.”
Claire Rowney, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, said:
“We are so excited to see wear it pink return to Westminster, and incredibly grateful for the support of Baroness Morgan and Parliament raising awareness for breast cancer and the work of Breast Cancer Now during breast cancer awareness month.
“We hope that by wearing pink, they’ll encourage their constituents to also wear it pink in their homes, schools or workplaces on Friday 18 October and help us to increase knowledge of breast cancer and continue to deliver life-changing research and support.”
To take part in wear it pink this October, please visit wearitpink.org for further details and fundraising ideas.
For Mid and South Essex where Sir John’s Constituency of Maldon is situated, the statistics for Breast Cancer locally can be seen below.
What’s happening in Mid and South Essex?
1102 people in the area were diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2021.
183 women died from Breast Cancer in 2021.
Breast Screening:
63.22% of Maldon residents attended breast screening when invited – lower than the England average of 64.6%.
53.12% of women invited for the first time attended breast screening in Maldon – lower than the England average of 53.7%.
65.99% attended in the East of England area, with only 56.59% of women invited for the first time attending.
Secondary Breast Cancer Diagnosis:
54.40% of breast cancer patients felt they were given enough information about the possibility and signs of cancer coming back or spreading, lower than the England average of 58%.
Primary Breast Cancer diagnosis:
72.18% of people were urgently referred to have breast cancer confirmed or ruled out within 28 days in 2023/4 – lower than NHS England’s expectation of 90%.
66% of people in England had their breast cancer diagnosis confirmed within 28 days in 2023/24. Compared to 90% of people who had breast cancer ruled out.
54.81% of people with breast cancer started their first treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral in 2023/4, lower than the target of 85%.