Council offices to light up Purple for pancreatic cancer

by Gráinne Connolly

Derry City and Strabane District Council offices on the Strand Road, Derry- Londonderry, will light up purple throughout the month of November as part of the Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer campaign.

The campaign calls on individuals and organisations across the UK to light focal points up purple in villages, towns and cities throughout November, which is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.  

This is to show support and to remember those who have sadly died of the disease, whilst also shining a spotlight on a disease which has historically lacked awareness and funding.

Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer is supported by the charities Pancreatic Cancer Action, Pancreatic Cancer UK, Pancreatic Cancer Scotland, Planets, Operation Henry and CORE. 

Facts about Pancreatic Cancer

• Less than 6% of people with pancreatic cancer will survive beyond 5 years in the UK, and this survival rate has improved very little since the 1970s. 
   
• One person dies of the disease every hour, with around 8,800 people dieing every year. 
   
• 80% of people with pancreatic cancer are not diagnosed until the cancer is at an advanced stage. 
   
• Surgery is the only treatment which could save lives, yet only 8% of people with this type of cancer have it. 
   
• Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival of all the 20 common cancers.
   
• Around 9,600 people are diagnosed with it per year in the UK - that’s 26 people every day.
   
• It's the fifth most common cause of cancer death in the UK
   

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Maolíosa McHugh said the Council is delighted to light up purple and to assist in raising awareness of this disease which suffers from a chronic lack of awareness. 

“We are delighted to be raising awareness of this dreadful disease by taking part in the Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer campaign. We hope that by lighting up Derry City and Strabane District Council in purple, we will help put draw attention to a disease that many people still know so very little about.” 
 

Nic Dakin, MP for Scunthorpe and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Pancreatic Cancer said: 

“Pancreatic cancer kills someone every hour and it has the lowest survival rates of the 22 most common cancers. It is vital that we raise awareness of this cruel disease.

Purple Lights for Pancreatic Cancer is an eye-catching and effective way of raising awareness this November. Please lend your support to this fantastic cause. Your support really makes a difference.”

For anyone interested in finding our more about Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer, visit purplelightsuk.org or email info@purplelights.org.uk