Ambassador stories

I’m a cancer survivor, and I feel that I’ve been given a second chance. That’s why I became a Cancer Campaigns Ambassador, to turn a negative into a positive and help make a difference.

The campaign I’m currently working on, The answer is plain, is particularly close to my heart because of my personal experience. But I imagine anyone with children or grandchildren, whether they’ve smoked or not before, would feel the same. It’s all about giving future generations one less reason to start smoking in the first place.

I started smoking cigarettes at 16 but quit at 21 after the birth of my first son Jimmy. Not long after, I took to smoking cigars because the adverts back then gave the impression cigars were a milder choice. I smoked five cigars a day, without realising the damage I was doing.

But one morning in 2010 I woke up full of aches and pains. I decided to nip this ‘flu’ in the bud by going to the doctor before we went on holiday. What should have been a routine trip to the GP brought the most life-shattering news; blood tests and x-rays revealed that I had developed an inoperable lung cancer.

I can’t even begin to explain the utter shock that my wife Di and I felt. But I also knew straight away that my smoking over the years had almost certainly caused this. The toughest day of my life was sitting each of my children down and telling them I had lung cancer. I also have three grandchildren and I was devastated at the thought that I might not see them growing up.

I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and to my absolute joy and gratitude the treatment seems to be working. But I know first-hand how horrific lung cancer can be, and how it’s almost always preventable by not smoking in the first place.

The advertising that lured me into smoking may be a thing of the past, but the slickly-designed packs still make smoking look glamorous to new generations of potential smokers. That’s why I’m supporting The answer is plain campaign, because I passionately believe that plain packs are part of the puzzle when it comes to preventing young people taking up a habit that kills around half of all long-term users.

My fellow Ambassadors and I, from all walks of life, will be taking the campaign to Westminster in June. If you’re passionate about making a difference, why not consider becoming an Ambassador and join us there?

'I knew nothing about Cancer Campaigns Ambassadors until I saw a newsletter link. Curiosity led me to click it. After applying and being accepted, my first Ambassador ‘assignment’ was a Westminster lobby, on a tube strike day, with an MP who supported smoking in pubs. 

My anxieties quickly disappeared when the wonderfully supportive campaigns team introduced me to my fellow Ambassadors. The passion, commitment and energy of this amazing team of people is both infectious and inspiring. I learned that day that just because an MP commits to beat cancer, we cannot assume every aspect of our campaigns will be supported. Ambassadors are a vital resource in the battle to provide fact-based evidence to MPs. I am immensely proud to be part of that process.

My Ambassador role has given me the opportunity to meet with MPs, doctors, scientists and cancer survivors. I’ve gained a much clearer understanding of just why political lobbying is so important. I believe that in the future, social media such as facebook and twitter will play a vital part in achieving the life-saving changes in policy and the law we need. I’m particularly interested in this aspect of campaigning. Many very powerful organisations and interest groups, the big tobacco companies for example, expend vast resources influencing public opinion and ultimately government policy. We can never match them in funds, but we can more than match them in passion and commitment. 

I am convinced that with the right political support we will beat cancer and protect future generations from this terrible disease. I’m absolutely and totally committed to the fight. I would advise anyone who feels the same to support Cancer Research UK's vital political campaigns.'

‘I was so excited to hear that I had been selected to be an Ambassador for Cancer Research UK for the Richmond (Yorks) constituency as it gives me a wonderful opportunity to promote Cancer Campaigns in my area.

The lobby on 3 November 2010 in London was my first ever lobby and any uncertainties that I had were quickly gone when I met the team and other Ambassadors at our briefing session prior to the lobby. I knew that my MP William Hague was not going to be at Westminster that day due to commitments in Palestine, but I met with his researcher who was so very interested in learning about the campaign. When, a week later back in Richmond, I met Mr Hague in person, I was delighted to hear he was fully supportive of the campaign and promised, that as part of his duties as a Cabinet Member, he would discuss the two main lobby calls with the Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley. He listened very carefully, as I told him about my own cancer journey as a secondary breast cancer patient and he wrote to me afterwards thanking me for visiting him and drawing his attention to the campaign.

I contacted my local paper and arranged an interview with the Health Reporter and they covered the story along with this photograph (above, courtesy of the Evening Gazette) to help publicise the campaign.

Becoming an Ambassador for Cancer Research UK not only gives me a voice that can be heard by the media but it allows me to give something back and to hopefully help other cancer patients whilst doing so.’

Duncan is a Cancer Research UK funded scientist based in Cardiff University and has been a Cancer Campaigns Ambassador since 2008. Find out more about Duncan and his story by watching the video. 

Receiving a diagnosis of advanced inoperable prostate cancer in 2004, Nigel Lewis-Baker found himself unprepared for such a life-changing situation and drove home from the hospital in deep reflection. Thinking about what he had not yet done in life and the uncertainty of not knowing how long he had to correct this error before it was too late, he seized the moment and bought a sports car on his way home.

Since then, he has made it his mission to support people in similar situations, through setting up a support group and raising awareness as a media volunteer and speaker at Cancer Research UK events. Also a prolific fundraiser, Nigel has been heavily involved in his local Relay for Life and ‘The Great Drag Race’, which involved him donning a frock and learning a dance routine for a TV documentary to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

Most recently, his mission has extended to making a political difference by joining the Cancer Campaigns Ambassador programme. Nigel enjoyed his first Ambassador assignment at the Westminster 2010 lobby, sharing his story to raise the profile of early diagnosis:

‘I was honoured to be accepted as an Ambassador and invited to attend the lobby of MPs in Westminster on 3rd November 2010. Having accepted I was provided with literature about the campaign together with the schedule and a map.

On the day itself we were told that there would be staff waiting for us at the station and sure enough there they were. A short while later we were addressed on the latest research achievements and made fully aware of the message we were to get across to the MPs. It was very exciting going to the heart of government and having the opportunity to make a difference as part of a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable group of 71 Ambassadors.

Unfortunately my own MP could not attend and I spoke at length with his Researcher, but was able to meet him at a local venue later and lobby him directly on that occasion, with a photo shoot as well.

Altogether it was a very entertaining and rewarding day with excellent organisation by Cancer Research UK staff for which I compliment them, and I look forward to another chance to work with the Ambassador team again.’

Our congratulations go to Nigel who has been jointly named, alongside Justine Sheils, as Cancer Research UK's ‘Ambassador of the Year 2011’ in our Flame of Hope awards 2011.

'I needn’t have been so nervous. My MP John Woodcock was kindness itself, listening to my tale over tea in the Pugin Room. He was very supportive, and there and then arranged interviews for me with our local radio stations. The Bay radio interviewed me on the phone in his office, and Radio Cumbria took background details and invited me onto their breakfast show the following morning. He also made sure we had an extra article in the paper, and has signed up to Commit to beat Cancer. I think we might have a Crusader on our side!'

May 15th 2006 - my Mum's birthday and the day I found out that I had skin cancer. ‘Oh, Skin Cancer – that’s nothing to worry about, it’s just a spot that can be cut out – it’s not real cancer!’ 

If only this was the case.

This was just one of the comments passed regarding my skin cancer and one of the reasons why I am helping Cancer Research UK to raise skin cancer awareness. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with two further tumours, once in my head which required extensive surgery, treatment and rehabilitation.

Ignorance is one of the reasons why people die from this preventable cancer and my aim is to make as many people as possible aware of the dangers. My story has featured on local and national television, newspapers, magazines and radio stations. I have been interviewed on GMTV (now Daybreak), BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 & Sky News, Gok Wan's 'Miss Naked Beauty', This Morning and I also featured in a documentary Nicola Roberts from Girls Aloud was involved in.

Following on from the Nicola Roberts documentary, I was asked to go to Westminster and speak to MPs and supporters for the launch of the Sunbeds Bill on 13 January 2010. The irony being that we had snow across the country – thankfully though the Bill was passed and became law in England and Wales in April 2011. It is wonderful to think that I have played a part in this! I returned once again to Parliament in November 2010 as a Cancer Campaigns Ambassador for the successful lobby calling for specific early diagnosis measures for cancer (as pictured with my MP Bill Esterson).

I have recently been jointly named, alongside Nigel-Lewis Baker, as Cancer Research UK's ‘Ambassador of the Year 2011’ in their Flame of Hope awards – which still seems like a dream! Because, as I keep saying to family & friends, it happens to people you read about or see on the telly – not people like me!

'We were blessed with unseasonal warm weather for the Commit to Beat Cancer Westminster Lobby. Thanks to the Campaign team the day ran like clockwork in spite of the untimely tube strike. As I wasn’t able to meet with my own MP, I accompanied my fellow Ambassador, Amanda Maxwell, in her meeting. We were even lucky enough to have a tour which included the House of Commons Chamber. The day was really worthwhile and I was eager to set up a meeting with my own MP, David Rutley, which took place a few weeks later in my constituency.'

'My mum lost her 8 year battle with Ovarian cancer in July this year. I signed up to become a Cancer Campaigns Ambassador in the hope that I can make a real difference to other people’s lives. For me, the Westminster lobby was the first step on that journey and it felt liberating. It was such a fantastic opportunity to meet my MP face to face and to be able to discuss the issues with somebody that really can initiate change. My MP was very pro our calls, entered into a very far reaching discussion about the issues and promised to back the campaign fully. I really felt that we were making change happen.'

'At the Lobby I met my MP Catherine McKinnell for the first time. Catherine had already written supportive letters, but the interest, commitment and knowledge she showed that day really impressed me. She agreed to write to Andrew Lansley MP (the health minister) about the ‘Diagnose and accurately record’ request and we agreed that making sure cancer treatment is not affected by government cuts is vital.

Then (thanks to a sympathetic security guard who spotted our Ambassador sashes) we visited the public galleries of the Lords and Commons, a fantastic experience.

I have since received two letters from Catherine; a copy of her request to Andrew Lansley and a reply from him about the challenge the tobacco industry is making to the ‘Out of Sight’ legislation. She is also in the process of submitting a written question. Altogether it was a fantastic day. Seeing so many supportive people brought home to me once again how Cancer Research UK really are putting their statement into practice and that ‘Together we will beat cancer’.'

'As I recalled my journey of diagnosis of breast cancer, treatment and fundraising, within Mark's constituency, I felt so privileged to be representing so many. As Mark pledged his support I knew my journey was continuing strongly as a survivor and, as always, I am so grateful and just want to give back to the charity and others as much as I can. Mark gave me a tour of the Houses of Parliament and I sat in the House of Lords, listened to a debate and I was buzzing from the excitement for days! I haven't stopped telling people about the experience and the work that goes on ‘behind the scenes’ to get action and I just hope that I did justice to the time and hard work spent by all of the team.'

'The lobby was my first introduction to the Ambassador role and I set off with some trepidation, particularly as I knew there was a tube strike. From the moment I saw Victoria and Phoebe’s smiling faces at Euston station things moved really smoothly. I quickly got over the embarrassment of walking to our pre-booked cars past a VERY long queue waiting for taxis and was whisked off to the Abbey Centre. The briefing that followed was great and, together with the updates sent by e-mail, fully prepared me for the lobby. The meeting with my MP went well, a taxi took me back to Euston, and before I knew it I was back home. A great day, lots of fun and new friends. Thanks for giving me the opportunity.'