LiLAC to support Cancer Focus NI in call for ‘equality’

Local cancer charity LiLAC is backing Cancer Focus NI’s campaign calling for equal access to life-extending cancer drugs for patients here.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Sep 2014, 09:15 BST
Launching the Cancer Focus Equal Access NI are - Liz Atkinson, Cancer Focus, Leanne McConnell, Cancer Focus/Lilac and Margaret Campbell, Lilac.Launching the Cancer Focus Equal Access NI are - Liz Atkinson, Cancer Focus, Leanne McConnell, Cancer Focus/Lilac and Margaret Campbell, Lilac.
Launching the Cancer Focus Equal Access NI are - Liz Atkinson, Cancer Focus, Leanne McConnell, Cancer Focus/Lilac and Margaret Campbell, Lilac.

Margaret Campbell from LiLAC, explained: “There are currently 39 cancer drugs available to patients in England that are not readily available to patients in Northern Ireland.

“We want patients here to have equal access to these drugs and we’re calling on the whole community to pledge their support for the campaign by signing online at www.equalaccessni.org.”

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“This is a hugely important campaign,” she went on, “and cancer patients in Mid Ulster will be among those who will benefit from a successful result.

“So far Cancer Focus NI has managed to notch up 14,000 pledges of support,” she added, “which is amazing – but the charity needs everyone to help reach their target of 20,000.

“Your pledges will be delivered to Health Minister Edwin Poots at Stormont this autumn,” she added.

Head of Care Services, Liz Atkinson said: “Cancer Focus NI has been concerned for some time that local cancer patients are being denied access to life-extending drugs that are currently available in England and Scotland.

“And will soon be available in Wales.

“The Health Minister has indicated that he will hold a review, which is a move in the right direction. However, patients do not want an open ended review - they want decisive action.”

Related topics:EnglandHealth MinisterNorthern IrelandEdwin Poots