Henry Smith MP has chaired the first public meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Blood Cancer (Wednesday, 18th January).

Set up in June 2016, the aims of the Group include raising awareness and promoting the needs of blood cancer patients among legislators and government.

Henry said;

“In our first public meeting we heard presentations from clinicians and patients – it’s vital that the voices of patients and their support networks are heard, as well as the wider blood cancer community.

“I’m grateful to the Community Health & Care Minister, David Mowat MP, for attending our meeting and for speaking to us – I look forward to making further representations to him and his ministerial colleagues in the months ahead.

“This Group, made up of parliamentarians from different parties, works to increase the awareness of blood cancer and the needs of patients.

“The 137 types of blood cancer are, combined, the fifth most common cancers in the UK and the third biggest cancer killer, claiming more lives each year than breast or prostate cancer – current awareness of blood cancer simply doesn’t reflect these alarming figures.”

“The Group will shortly be launching an inquiry into blood cancer care, and whether the new Cancer Strategy for England is working for blood cancer patients.

“This is an issue which has affected not only my own family but people across Crawley, and I’m grateful to those who took the time to attend our first public meeting. This is an issue I will continue to pursue.”