Hugh Grant, patron of charity Pancreatic Cancer Action, did his bit to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer by taking a photo holding a purple P.
Credit/Copyright: Pancreatic Cancer Action
Hugh’s mother died from pancreatic cancer in 2001, after being diagnosed 18 months earlier. Hugh said: “I am very pleased to be a patron of Pancreatic Cancer Action. The charity is determined to improve the statistics of this deadly disease by focusing on early diagnosis and by making more people, including medical professionals, aware of the symptoms and risks of pancreatic cancer. I totally support Ali and her team efforts.”
Currently only 3% of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive beyond five years. Pancreatic Cancer Action is committed to working towards earlier diagnosis of the disease so that surgery, currently the only cure, is made available to the sufferer.
Other celebrities who are supporting the charity this month by holding letters, include Joanna David, the charity’s other patron who lost a good friend to pancreatic cancer, and Julie Hesmondhalgh, the actress who plays pancreatic cancer sufferer Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street.
The charity was also pleased that Jack Andraka, a young scientist who is developing a new rapid, inexpensive method to detect pancreatic cancer in the early stages, showed his support. The 16 year old tweeted: proud to help @OfficialPCA raise awareness of #pancreaticcancer ! November is #pancreaticcancer month awareness
Other celebrities, including Gaby Roslin, Gemma Jones and Edward Fox, held letters for the charity to spell out the words “Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month”.
Ali Stunt, Founder of Pancreatic Cancer Action and six year survivor of pancreatic cancer, said: “We are delighted that our patrons and other celebrities support the need to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer. We are also grateful to the patients, relatives and supporters that also took part in our cover photo.”
“As a charity, we are focussed on raising awareness of this disease, which receives little attention and funding, so we can continue research into early diagnosis and raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.”
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