This e-petition, which received 109,176 signatures, was supported by Brain Tumour Research and called for funding for research into the childhood cancers with the worst survival rates, and asked for clarity about how much money has been given for research into childhood cancers and, specifically, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Behind the words lies the story of the petitioner Fiona Govan, and her grandson Logan Maclean and you can read that story here.
Ahead of what will be an emotional afternoon, Fiona told us: “I welcome this opportunity to call on the Government to step up and save our children’s lives.
“Whilst childhood survival in some types of cancer is improving others, such as DIPG, have been left behind.
“Only the Government is in a position to adequately take into account different variables such as years of life lost and the commercial imperatives of pharmaceutical companies, and not just incidence when making research funding decisions. It is only governments that can do this and although we have brought 109,176 people to this debate but we can only go so far. Our question of the Government is only you can make the difference – will you?”
You will be able to watch this debate live by clicking on this link.
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