A host of celebrity supporters are making a stand for a new Bowel Cancer UK campaign, STAND OUT to STOP bowel cancer, including actors Tom Hardy and his partner, Charlotte Riley.
They have been joined by Stephen Fry, Graham Norton, Terry Jones, Ainsley Harriott, Andi Peters and Lynda Bellingham’s husband, Michael Pattemore.
“We’re supporting STAND OUT to STOP bowel cancer because we want to help stop the UK’s second biggest cancer killer,” said Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley. “Bowel cancer is preventable, treatable and curable. Please join us and sign-up to have some fun and raise vital funds for Bowel Cancer UK by standing out to STOP bowel cancer. Thank you.”
STAND OUT to STOP bowel cancer is a one-day charity challenge on Friday 3rd July for anyone who would like to help save lives by wearing something that day which makes them stand out from the crowd. Through the campaign, Bowel Cancer UK is issuing an open invitation to the great British public to capture the Friday feeling and help stop bowel cancer for good.
To take part in the campaign, people can be outrageous, outdated or out-of-this-world. They could wear a sombrero to a staff meeting, a ball gown on the beach or a cat suit to a café. Whether it’s with friends, family or colleagues, it doesn’t matter, as long as on Friday 3rd July as many people as possible STAND OUT to STOP bowel cancer and raise funds for Bowel Cancer UK at the same time.
It’s a cause which has garnered high profile support from celebrities, including Michael Pattemore, Lynda Bellingham’s husband, who is now a Patron of Bowel Cancer UK as well as:
Graham Norton: “I had no idea that as many as 16,000 people die each year in the UK from bowel cancer. Anything we can do to help save lives has to be a good thing. By supporting Bowel Cancer UK’s STAND OUT to STOP bowel cancer campaign, you can make a difference.”
Stephen Fry: “I was shocked when I heard that bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer with over 16,000 people dying every year. That’s why I’m backing Bowel Cancer UK’s STAND OUT to STOP bowel cancer campaign, to help save lives.”
Terry Jones (bowel cancer survivor): “Too many people are still dying from bowel cancer. We have to make more people aware of it. By supporting Bowel Cancer UK’s STAND OUT to STOP bowel cancer campaign, you can help save lives.”
Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer UK said, "Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer yet it is a disease which is too often overlooked and under supported. Over 41,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every single year and 16,000 people die of the disease.
“That’s why at Bowel Cancer UK we are transforming what we do to become the UK’s leading research and campaigning charity dedicated to stopping bowel cancer for good. We are determined to transform survival rates from only one in every two people surviving over five years, to three out of four people surviving bowel cancer by 2025. We’re calling for as many people as possible to join us and STAND OUT to STOP bowel cancer by taking direct action where they work, in their community or even at home on Friday 3rd July, to help us save lives and raise vital funds.”
Laura Connolly, from Glasgow, was 30 when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer. She had symptoms for more than two years before she was diagnosed. Unfortunately, it was thought that it could not be bowel cancer because she was too young. Tragically, the disease had already spread when she was finally diagnosed with stage 4 inoperable bowel cancer. Despite grueling treatment, Laura always remained positive and on 1st March 2013, Laura married her childhood sweetheart, Alan, at their dream wedding at Glenskirlie. She died 29 days later, on 30th March 2013, Mother’s Day.
Laura’s passing was a terrible tragedy but sadly her story is all too familiar. Since her death, around 32,000 more people have died, among them actress and TV presenter Lynda Bellingham.
Bowel Cancer UK is determined to stop people like Laura from dying. The money raised from STAND OUT to STOP bowel cancer will fund vital, life-saving research into improving early diagnosis.
Join Bowel Cancer UK’s campaign to STOP bowel cancer. It’s easy to take part. You can get a fundraising pack by emailing: info@standouttostop.org or visit the website at www.standouttostop.org.
