Download Media release For immediate release LOCAL FAMILY / MAN

Media release
For immediate release
LOCAL FAMILY / MAN/ WOMAN SHINES A LIGHT ON PANCREATIC CANCER AS
PART OF NATIONWIDE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
[Insert your name] from [insert location] will light up his/ her/ their home/ garden in purple
(delete as appropriate or include brief summary of your event) on 1st November as part of
Pancreatic Cancer UK’s Purple Lights for Hope awareness campaign.
Across the UK, Purple Lights for Hope events provide an opportunity for people to come
together to celebrate the lives of loved ones dealing with a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, to
remember those who have sadly died of the disease and spread a message of hope to
others affected by the disease on the first day of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
The campaign is intended to bring people together across the UK and unite them in their
commitment to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer. Purple Lights for Hope has captured
the imagination of patients, families, health professionals and campaigners since its launch
last year when 60 landmarks and buildings lit up. Iconic landmarks such as the Blackpool
Tower as well as town halls and churches, will be illuminated on November 1st. Meanwhile,
private Purple Lights for Hope events will be taking place in people’s homes and gardens
helping to turn the night sky purple.
[xxxx insert your name] said: “I’m taking part in Pancreatic Cancer UK’s Purple Lights for
Hope because (include your own reasons for taking part. You could also include further
details of your event here too.). We are looking forward to a magical evening.”
Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all of the 21 most common cancers in the
UK, with only around four per cent of people diagnosed surviving five years or more. This
figure has hardly changed in 40 years. It is the fifth most common cause of all cancer deaths
in the UK and it is predicted that by 2030 pancreatic cancer will overtake breast cancer as
the fourth most common cancer killer.
Alex Ford, Chief Executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK said: “Purple Lights for Hope presents a
fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer. One person is diagnosed in
the UK every hour, and the disease has the lowest survival rate of all the 21 common
cancers, so it really is crucial that we all find out more about it.
“On behalf of everyone at Pancreatic Cancer UK I would like to say a huge thank you to
[insert your name/ name of group] for helping us to spread the word about pancreatic
cancer, as well as a vital message of hope to everyone affected by the disease.”
To order free Purple Lights for Hope glow sticks, and find out which other venues and
landmarks will be lit up purple, visit www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/purplelights. Pancreatic
Cancer UK is also delighted to have the support of Festive Lights, which is donating 10 per
cent of each sale of indoor and outdoor purple fairy lights to Pancreatic Cancer UK during
October and November.
Throughout the campaign, supporters will be uploading photos and updates from across the
UK on Pancreatic Cancer UK’s social media platforms, Facebook and Twitter (using the
hashtag #purplelights).
ENDS
For further information, photos, or to arrange interviews, contact: Emma Fielder, Media
Manager at Pancreatic Cancer UK, on 020 3780 7762, or
[email protected]
About pancreatic cancer:
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One person dies of pancreatic cancer every hour.
The disease has the lowest survival rate of all the 21 common cancers, with just four
per cent of people living for five years or more after diagnosis, and just one per cent
surviving 10 years
Five and ten year survival for pancreatic cancer has improved very little since the
early 1970s.
Around 8,800 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer per year in the UK. That’s
24 people every day.
Pancreatic cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in the UK
Pancreatic cancer is predicted to become the fourth largest cancer killer (overtaking
breast cancer) by 2030.
Pancreatic cancer statistics quoted are from Cancer Research UK.
About Pancreatic Cancer UK:
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Pancreatic Cancer UK is the only national charity fighting pancreatic cancer on all
fronts: support, information, campaigning and research. We are striving for a long
and good life for everyone diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
For further information on pancreatic cancer, visit www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk.
To speak to a specialist nurse about symptoms, diagnosis or treatment, call
Pancreatic Cancer UK’s freephone Support Line on 0808 801 0707.
We provide an expert, personalised support and information service, with the ultimate
aim of enabling patients to enjoy an extended, happy and fulfilled life, bringing hope
to them and their families.
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We fund innovative research that makes the most impact with limited resources and
leverages additional investment - and development of new talent - through our own
research expenditure.
Working closely with patients and their families and carers, clinicians and other
healthcare professionals, researchers, politicians and policy makers we seek to
increase awareness of the disease and campaign to bring about change.