Moray SNP News

RICHARD LOCHHEAD MSP CALLS FOR MORAY TO GLOW GOLD FOR SEPTEMBER

Moray’s MSP was proud to join the Glow Gold September campaign in the Scottish Parliament to support them in their mission to get the world “Glowing Gold” to change the face of childhood cancer.

Mr Lochhead met with a group of parents and grandparents from the Glow Gold September campaign to find out how everyone in Moray can “glow gold” and do their bit to raise the profile of childhood cancer and help raise awareness of the early warning signs and symptoms.

Glow Gold September is a grassroots campaign that was started by parents and grandparents whose families have been affected by childhood cancer. They are on a mission to get the world “Glowing Gold” and shine a spotlight on childhood cancer. They have been inviting childhood cancer charities to unite in the goal of raising the profile of childhood cancer by “glowing gold “ during September (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month) and spread awareness of the early warning signs and symptoms to aid earlier diagnosis and detection.

The campaign has had an incredible impact in Scotland and globally. It has seen more than 200 famous landmarks and buildings sign up to light their façades in gold, including Edinburgh Castle, the National Galleries and St Andrew’s House.

Commenting, Richard Lochhead, Moray MSP said:

“I am proud to be supporting the Glow Gold campaign to raise awareness of the symptoms and signs of childhood cancer and I hope that everyone in Moray will join me in Glowing Gold for the rest of September.

“The support that Glow Gold has gathered is incredible and I will do all I can to help support this important campaign, and families affected by childhood cancer in Moray and across Scotland.  It is absolutely key that parents know what to look out for and I encourage everyone to take the time to find out more about the symptoms linked to childhood cancer.”

Moray mum Gail Paterson whose daughter Eileidh Paterson is undergoing treatment for neuroblastoma, a rare form of children’s cancer, added:

“The aim of the Glow Gold campaign has been to raise awareness of childhood cancer and the number of families affected.  11 children and young adults are diagnosed with cancer in the UK every day and it’s vital that parents are empowered with the knowledge needed to pick up the signs and symptoms early. 

“By the time Eileidh was diagnosed she had a primary tumour in her adrenal gland filling half her abdomen, with secondary tumours in her pancreas, lymph nodes, bone marrow & jaw.  After fundraising over £100,000, she then started a clinical trial in USA to try and stop relapse, which unfortunately didn't work as she relapsed in May this year, with a tumour in her jaw again and in her bone marrow. She has now had 5 more cycles of very harsh chemotherapy so far, which is working, but unfortunately her doctor says she will most likely relapse again. We will now have to start fundraising for another clinical trial abroad to try and hopefully stop this happening again.

“If I had been aware of childhood cancer and what symptoms to be aware of, perhaps Eileidh’s life over the past 2 and a half years could have been entirely different.  She could have had a normal 4 year olds life now, playing with friends or going to nursery.  We would be looking forward to her starting school next year, instead of going from scan to scan, praying it hasn't returned.  Awareness of childhood cancer and the symptoms is absolutely vital.”