The late Sorcha Glenn who died of ovarian cancer at the age of 23
MAYOR of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Elisha McCallion has called on local people to support the campaign to raise awareness of Cervical Cancer as the Council building turns teal for the month of January.
Led by Team Sorcha, the campaign is asking people to share their stories and experiences of the illness in a bid to make the public more aware of the signs and symptoms of Cervical Cancer, which is the most common cancer in the UK for women under the age of 35.
Local woman Sorcha Glenn lost her life to Cervical Cancer in 2014 and her family strongly believe that the age for testing for the illness should be reduced from 25 in a bid to more effectively combat the disease.
The Council building will be lit up for the rest of the month to raise public awareness and highlight the work being done by local group the Pink Ladies and Team Sorcha.
Mayor McCallion said she hoped that local women would support the campaign and share their stories to help others.
“Team Sorcha are doing an amazing job in raising the profile of this illness and I want to reaffirm my own support for the campaign.
“In lighting up the Council buildings we hope to make the public aware that many young women are oblivious to the risks as the signs and symptoms can often go undetected.
“By telling personal stories the campaign hopes to make the risks more real and as a result make women more aware of the importance of attending routine Cervical Smear Tests and going to their GP if they have any worries.”
Sorcha Glenn lost her life to cervical cancer in 2014 after she was initially denied a cervical smear test as she was under the age of 25.
Cancer charity CLIC Sargent have just named a room after the inspirational young Derry woman in their new Home from Home facility in Belfast which offers accommodation travelling to Belfast for cancer treatment.
Sorcha’s family and friends continue to campaign in her memory and you can find out more about their efforts at www.facebook.com/teamsorcha.
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