Urgent TV Appeal Highlights Devastating Loss of Funding for Cancer Research UK

Cancer survivor Alayna Fernandes, 18, is starring in a new TV appeal for Cancer Research UK to help highlight the loss of funding for vital research caused by the Covid-19 outbreak. After being diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma in 2012 and experiencing a recurrence in 2018, Alayna underwent treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and is now busy studying for her A-levels. The appeal film features Alayna, along with other cancer patients and survivors in lockdown, and a direct plea for support from Professor Richard Gilbertson. Cancer Research UK's work into the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer has been at the heart of the progress that has seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years.

Key Takeaways:

• Alayna Fernandes, an 18-year-old cancer survivor, is starring in an urgent TV appeal for Cancer Research UK to raise awareness about the devastating loss of funding for vital research caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.
• Cancer Research UK is facing a 30% fall in income in the 2020/21 financial year due to the pandemic, putting life-saving research at risk.
• In the past year, Cancer Research UK spent over £34 million in the South East on leading scientific and clinical research.
• Alayna's personal story highlights the importance of research in making treatments kinder for patients and ultimately saving lives.
• Cancer Research UK funds around 50% of all cancer research in the UK, thanks to the generosity of its supporters.
• The charity's appeal film features a direct plea for support from Professor Richard Gilbertson and clips of Alayna and other cancer patients and survivors in lockdown.
• Alayna plans to become a human nutritionist after being inspired by a dietician while undergoing treatment at the age of 10.

Statistics:

• 51,400 people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the South East (Source: Cancer Research UK).
• Cancer Research UK spends around £34 million in the South East every year on leading scientific and clinical research (Source: Cancer Research UK).
• The charity funds around 50% of all cancer research in the UK, thanks to the generosity of its supporters (Source: Cancer Research UK).
• Cancer Research UK is facing a 30% fall in income in the 2020/21 financial year due to the Covid-19 pandemic (Source: Cancer Research UK).

Sources:

• Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the South East.
• "Cancer Research UK was able to spend over £34 million in the South East last year on some of the UK's leading scientific and clinical research." - Source: Cancer Research UK.
• "Around 51,400 people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the South East*" - Source: Cancer Research UK.
• "Cancer Research UK funds around 50 per cent of all cancer research in the UK" - Source: Cancer Research UK.
• "We're facing a 30 per cent fall in income in the 2020/21 financial year" - Source: Cancer Research UK.