Cancer survivor appeals for help to beat illness

Eleven year old Georgia Cocking, from Lisburn, and her family know from personal experience just how crucial new discoveries and breakthroughs are to help more people like her survive.

She has teamed up with Cancer Research UK to highlight the power of research in beating cancer and encourage people throughout the province to get involved.

Every hour, someone in Northern Ireland is diagnosed with the disease. And with the number of people with cancer set to rise steeply by 2030, the charity has launched an inspiring new advertising campaign, which aims to raise money to accelerate its groundbreaking research and bring cures faster.

It features a series of TV, radio, and print adverts, as well as billboards across the UK, which carry the bold message: “One day we will beat cancer. Help us make it sooner.” It’s an appeal that Georgia and mum Debbie wholeheartedly support. Georgia was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia at just four years of age and had to fly to Bristol every three months for treatment.

Her last treatment was in September 2008 and today Georgia is well and enjoying life. She loves dancing, acting, sport and singing and has even appeared with John Barrowman in Tonight’s The Night. She is a real inspiration to all who come in contact with her.

“Research has helped Georgia survive and to me it is vital in fighting cancer,” said mum Debbie. “And if she were to face it again, I would know that the treatments are even better now due to research.

“That’s why we’re supporting this vitally important campaign to help Cancer Research UK speed up the advances it is making in the battle against the disease. Georgia has got her life back, now it’s cancer’s turn to be afraid.

“I am so grateful for the treatment that saved Georgia’s life. Now I want to do everything I can to urge people to fight back against this devastating disease.”

Debbie and Georgia are encouraging local people to support Cancer Research UK in any way they can, whether it’s making a regular donation, volunteering, or getting involved with an event such as the charity’s flagship Race for Life series.

Success stories like Georgia’s would not be possible without the charity’s life-saving work, which in turn relies on everyone who raises money. More than one in three people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime. But there is good news. Research funded by Cancer Research UK is helping more people to survive than ever before.

Jean Walsh, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Northern Ireland, said: “Our campaign aims to show that research is cancer’s enemy. The more research we can do, the sooner we can beat the disease.

“Thanks to the generosity and commitment of our supporters, we’ve helped to double survival rates in the UK in the past 40 years. But there is still so much more to do to ensure that no-one’s life is cut short by cancer.”

She added: “It’s not just technology or knowledge that we need to win our fight against the disease – it’s funding. So we’re calling on everyone in Northern Ireland to get behind this campaign and help us bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. Every pound raised takes us a step closer to achieving our goal.”

To support Cancer Research UK visit cruk.org