JERSEY CAMPAIGN RETURNS FOR ITS SECOND YEAR IN AID OF CANCER RESEARCH UK

For the second year running, fundraisers on Jersey have set themselves a daunting challenge to give cancer patients more precious days by raising money for life-saving research.

The Cancer Research UK fundraisers on the island are running a campaign called ‘What a Difference a Day Makes’ for the second time this February.

Last March, almost £28,000 was raised by fundraisers on the island from the campaign and this year, they hope to raise at least £40,000 towards their overall target.

They have set their sights on raising a total of £150,000, by March, towards a project to fund the work of the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre in Southampton.

The goal of this Centre is to bring together experts in cancer biology with clinical researchers to drive the development of new therapies to bring benefits to patients faster. In this way, scientists can work with the clinic, to identify the needs of doctors and their patients, and come up with new ways to tackle the disease. It also means doctors have access to the very latest new drugs to test in clinical trials, finding out if potential treatments are safe and effective.

Islanders have a fantastic record of supporting Cancer Research UK and over the years they have raised well in excess of £3million for life-saving research.

Many cancer patients from Jersey are treated at Southampton, where Cancer Research UK spent nearly £5 million last year on the latest research to improve treatments.

Robert Christensen, who recently received an MBE for his work with Cancer Research UK, is also the chairman of the local fundraising group supporting The ECMC at Southampton, Robert said: “Those who have survived cancer know that every day with loved ones is very precious.

“To see a son or daughter married, a grand child born or even just to walk on a beautiful Jersey beach with a friend – one day can make all the difference”.

He added: “I hope people on Jersey will help us beat cancer sooner by supporting this exciting project”.

Shelley Davies, Cancer Research UK’s Senior Local Fundraising Manager on Jersey said “I hope people will donate to ‘What a Difference a Day Makes’ and help cancer patients in Jersey have more precious days by saving more lives”.

“One way of helping is by donating all or part of a day’s salary.

“By donating today, they can help us beat cancer sooner.

“Through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses, today 2 in 4 people survive cancer. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that 3 in 4 people will survive cancer within the next 20 years.”

To Donate please go to: https://www.justgiving.com/Whatadifferenceadaymakesjersey2015  or send donations direct to Robert Christensen at Jersey Committee for Cancer Research UK, Woodlands Court, La Route des Cotils, Grouville, Jersey, JE3 9AP

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For press enquiries please contact Shelley Davies, Senior Local Fundraising Manager, on 01202 423999 or email shelley.davies@cancer.org.uk

About Cancer Research UK

• Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research.
• Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.
• Cancer Research UK receives no government funding for its life-saving research. Every step it makes towards beating cancer relies on every pound donated.
• Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival rates in the UK double in the last forty years.

• Today, 2 in 4 people survive cancer. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that 3 in 4 people will survive cancer within the next 20 years.
• Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.

• Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK’s vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.