John Baron MP hosts CLIC Sargent Parliamentary reception

MP praises charity and young patients

John Baron MP joined more than 20 MPs and Peers, and around 200 guests, at the House of Commons for CLIC Sargent’s Parliamentary reception last Wednesday. Others attending the event included CLIC Sargent Patrons Alice Beer, Kai Owen, Duncan Pow and Joanna Taylor.

The reception was hosted by CLIC Sargent, the leading cancer charity for children and young people, to ensure that care and support for young cancer patients remains on the political agenda. The event was sponsored by Mr Baron, who is Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer.

John said:

“ Every day, 10 families are told their child has cancer. Diagnosis often comes as a shock. As the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, CLIC Sargent is there with clinical, practical and emotional support every step of the way. I pay tribute to the excellent work they do.”

“ It is vital that as MPs we back the work that CLIC Sargent does to reduce the impact of childhood cancer. These young cancer patients are very brave people indeed.”

The MP listened to CLIC Sargent Chief Executive, Lorraine Clifton and Chair of Trustees, Daphne Pullen speak about the charity’s ambitions to increase support for young cancer patients over the next five years. Two young cancer survivors also made speeches about what it is like to live with cancer, and told how they had been supported by CLIC Sargent.

Lorraine Clifton said:

“ We’re delighted that Mr Baron sponsored our reception once again and showed a real interest in CLIC Sargent’s work. This was a fantastic opportunity for the children and young people we support to speak directly to MPs and Peers about their experiences.”

Notes to Editors

• Every day 10 children and young people are told they have cancer, and diagnosis usually comes as a shock. Treatment normally starts straightaway and can last up to three years. Although survival rates are over 70%, cancer remains the single largest cause of death from disease in children in the UK.
• CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people. It provides clinical, practical and emotional support for young cancer patients and their families, from diagnosis onwards. For more information visit www.clicsargent.org.uk