Women Against Lung Cancer
The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
200 London Road,
Liverpool, Merseyside,
L3 9TA, United Kingdom
Registered Charity 1046854
Tel: +44 0871 220 5426
Fax: +44 0871 220 5427
Email: jenny@walcuk.org.uk
Online: Enquiry Form
Patron
The Patron of Women Against Lung Cancer is Dame Judi Dench.
There is no-one more appropriate to take on this role. Dame Judi’s husband, the actor Michael Williams, died from lung cancer in January 2001. She is one of the UK's best-loved performers. A poll in 2002 made her second only to the Queen as Britain's best-loved person.
Dame Judi has written to leading women around the country encouraging them to support the campaign. Her letter states:
“I am writing to you as the Patron of the Women Against Lung Cancer campaign to ask for your support.
Every year 38,000 patients are diagnosed with lung cancer, and 34,000 die from this dreadful disease. It is the biggest cancer killer for both men and women – more than breast, bowel and leukaemia put together. And yet, only 1.4% of the total research funding is spent on lung cancer research. The average prognosis for lung cancer patients from diagnosis to death is less than six months.
We have put up with this intolerable situation for too long and now is the time to take action.
So why now and why us?
The lung cancer rate among women is increasing; our children and young people continue to take health risks in their droves, apparently indifferent to the long term consequences. And we women are the guardians of our families’ health – often having to nag dad, partner or son to visit the doctor to check out the persistent tickly cough.
We need to raise the profile of this Cinderella of cancers, and encourage more investment in research and the care of patients.
What can you do? Join the Women Against Lung Cancer campaign on the website www.walcuk.org.uk and help by:
- Campaigning - talk to your family, friends and colleagues, and encourage all the women you know to join too. Write to your MP – the website makes that easy. Distribute awareness leaflets and posters in your vicinity. Make suggestions and offer your help!
- Money – make a donation to the campaign and/or help to raise funds from others.
On a personal note, I lost my husband Michael to lung cancer in 2001 which is why I believe so passionately that this is the way forward. I am one of thousands of people affected by this injustice. Please join me in this fight against lung cancer. Together we can make a profound difference.
Dame Judi has written to thank everyone for supporting the campaign and to ask for your help in the run up to Christmas.
Dear Friend
As Patron of the Women Against Lung Cancer campaign, I am writing to thank you for joining.
I have been so impressed with the huge amount of interest generated around the launch in September. This has simply confirmed the need for such a campaign which has shown a need for people whose lives are affected by lung cancer, and who want to channel their energies into something that will make a real difference.
I know that Dame Gill Oliver, the Head of Campaign, and her colleagues are working on next year’s campaign plans and we will soon be able to share these with you. As this is our campaign and not my campaign we would also welcome your ideas and comments. Please use the “Share Stories” section of the website for this purpose.
Christmas can be such a difficult time for many of us who have lost loved ones. I am mindful of the fact that your life may have been touched by lung cancer like mine. I do hope you feel able to make a donation to help the campaign at this sensitive time.
Again, thank you.
Best wishes
Dame Judi Dench
Patron of Women Against Lung Cancer