Joyce goes gold to support children with cancer

Assembly Member Joyce Watson will be wearing a gold ribbon this September to support Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
According to cancer charity CLIC Sargent, thousands of families deal with the devastating impact of a cancer diagnosis and treatment every month. The organisation is highlighting how treatment for children is often gruelling, can span years and take place far away from home.
The Mid and West Wales AM is backing the campaign. Mrs Watson said:
“I am proud to support Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I will be wearing my gold ribbon to show that I am standing by the thousands of families who are coping with childhood cancer.
“Ashya King’s story has touched all our hearts. I hope this campaign will help raise awareness of the impact – the anguish and stress – that childhood cancer has on families across the country. I am asking people to wear a gold ribbon this September to show their support for those families.”
Ashya King, who is suffering from a brain tumour, made headlines around the world after his parents removed him from Southampton General Hospital and travelled to southern Spain. Ashya is now in hospital in Malaga. His parents, who refused to consent to their extradition to the UK at court appearance in Spain, are being held in police custody.
Lucy Caldicott, CLIC Sargent Director of Fundraising, said: “We’re so pleased Joyce will be wearing a gold ribbon and supporting Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
“Every month, thousands of children and their families have to cope with the devastating impact of a cancer diagnosis. Cancer treatment for children is often gruelling and can start immediately, last as long as three years and take place many miles from home. CLIC Sargent is here to provide vital practical, emotional and financial support from diagnosis onwards.
“Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is a great opportunity for everyone to show they are standing by children with cancer.”
Ends
Notes to editors
For more information about CLIC Sargent or Childhood Cancer Awareness Month contact Kat Baldwyn on 020 8752 2833 or email [email protected]. Outside office hours please call 08448 481189. Visit: http://www.clicsargent.org.uk/content/political-support-childhood-cancer-awareness-month.
About childhood cancer
Every day, 10 children and young people in the UK hear the shocking news they have cancer. Treatment normally starts immediately, is often given many miles from home and can last for up to three years. Although survival rates are over 80%, cancer remains the single largest cause of death from disease in children and young people in the UK.
About CLIC Sargent
CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, and their families. We provide clinical, practical and emotional support to help them cope with cancer and get the most out of life. For more information visit www.clicsargent.org.uk
For more information about Joyce Watson’s work contact her office on 02920 898972 / www.joycewatson.co.uk
Note to sub editors
Please note that the name ‘CLIC Sargent’ should not be abbreviated to CLIC, and that the word ‘CLIC’ should always appear in capitals, as above.