MP Takes South Lakes Petition to 10 Downing Street

Today Tim Farron visited 10 Downing Street to present a petition from over a thousand of his constituents calling for more support in the fight against ovarian cancer.

Mr Farron, who lost his Mother - Sue Farron - to the disease in 2004 at the age of 54, has led a campaign locally to raise awareness of ovarian cancer. He has also submitted an Early Day Motion to Parliament calling for additional funding for research.

"Ovarian cancer is the fourth biggest killer of women in our country, and the survival rate in the UK is one of the lowest in Europe. The tragedy is that if it is caught early, 90% of women with ovarian cancer will survive - as it is, though, only 25% of British women with the disease survive for more than five years. Early diagnosis is essential, and that means increased research funding and increased awareness amongst the population and the medical profession."

"I'm delighted that so many local people have taken the time to support this campaign. Ovarian cancer does not need to be the killer that it is, but it will take the government to really make this a priority if we are to win this battle."

Tim wrote to every home in South Lakeland to provide information about the disease to increase awareness and to encourage people to back his campaign. His campaign is backed by the national charity Ovarian Cancer Action. The petition reads:

"We the undersigned call on the Government to ensure that more money is invested in dedicated research that identifies the causes of ovarian cancer and provides more effective ways of detecting and treating the disease, so that women's chances of surviving five years beyond diagnosis are enhanced"