The council offices lit up in teal earlier this year for Cervical Cancer. Now they will go purple for Pancreatic Cancer
DERRY City and Strabane District Council offices on the Strand Road, Derry, will light up purple throughout the month of November as part of the Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer campaign.
The campaign calls on individuals and organisations across the UK to light focal points up purple in villages, towns and cities throughout November, which is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
This is to show support and to remember those who have sadly died of the disease, whilst also shining a spotlight on a disease which has historically lacked awareness and funding.
Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer is supported by the charities Pancreatic Cancer Action, Pancreatic Cancer UK, Pancreatic Cancer Scotland, Planets, Operation Henry and CORE.
Welcoming the initiative the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Maolíosa McHugh said the Council is delighted to light up purple and to assist in raising awareness of this disease which suffers from a chronic lack of awareness.
Around 9,600 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK each year.
Sadly, less than 7% of people with pancreatic cancer will survive beyond 5 years in the UK, and despite being the UK’s fifth biggest cancer killer, the disease has received just 1.9 per cent of the UK cancer research budget per year.
Mayor McHugh said: “We are delighted to be raising awareness of this dreadful disease by taking part in the Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer campaign.
“We hope that by lighting up Derry City and Strabane District Council in purple, we will help put draw attention to a disease that many people still know so very little about.”
Nic Dakin, MP for Scunthorpe and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Pancreatic Cancer said: “Pancreatic cancer kills someone every hour and it has the lowest survival rates of the 22 most common cancers.
“It is vital that we raise awareness of this cruel disease. Purple Lights for Pancreatic Cancer is an eye-catching and effective way of raising awareness this November.
“Please lend your support to this fantastic cause. Your support really makes a difference.”
If you would like to take part or find out more about Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer, please visit purplelightsuk.org or e-mail [email protected]
