Stephen Fry has given the #CatchUpWithCancer campaign petition a huge boost as it nears a major milestone.
The actor, broadcaster and author was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018, and has made a special video asking supporters to sign and help the petition reach the half a million signatures mark.
The video aired on Radiotherapy UK’s social media platforms and can also be watched below.
In the video, Stephen talks about his own experience, the need for action, and praised the way King Charles III has approached his own diagnosis with a form of cancer.
4 in 10 cancer patients waiting too long
The campaign’s petition urges government to take action as 4 in 10 cancer patients wait too long for vital treatment. Since 2020, at least 225,000 people have not had vital cancer treatment on time. If all of these people could wait in a queue it would stretch 131 miles, the equivalent of a straight line between London and Cardiff.
Launched back in 2020 by Craig and Mandy Russell and Professor Pat Price, founder of Radiotherapy UK, the #CatchUpWithCancer campaign petition has gathered an incredible 459,316 signatures of support.
Craig and Mandy lost their daughter, Kelly Smith, at the age of 31. Her cancer treatment was stopped because of the pandemic and she died just a few weeks later, leaving behind her family and young son. Since then, the Russell family have campaigned tirelessly, urging the government to catch up with cancer.
King’s news prompts cancer spotlight
Since the news that King Charles III is undergoing treatment for a form of cancer, Stephen has appeared on The Today Podcast, alongside Professor Pat Price.
In an in-depth episode devoted to Why We Need to Talk about Cancer, Stephen talked about his own diagnosis with an aggressive form of prostate cancer and the King’s public service in sharing his news. Now he has supported the message of Radiotherapy UK and the #CatchUpWithCancer campaign.
Charity Director, Sarah Quinlan MBE, said: “Stephen and his team have been wonderfully supportive of what we are trying to do, which is spotlight the many thousands of people waiting too long for cancer treatment, often with deadly consequences.
“To have such a national treasure speak up for the campaign, and help us get the petition to a major milestone, is a massive boost. We hope even more of the public will get behind the campaign, and that government will sit up and pay attention to treatment, not just diagnostics.”
