Lagan Valley Island to be Lit Purple for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness

November 15, 2018

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s HQ, Lagan Valley Island, will glow with purple light on Thursday 15th November as part of the Purple Lights for Pancreatic Cancer campaign. Organised by individuals affected by the disease, the campaign is a way to remember loved ones lost to pancreatic cancer, as well as celebrate the lives of those who have survived and raise vital awareness of the disease during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Purple Lights for pancreatic Cancer is supported by charities Pancreatic Cancer UK, Pancreatic Cancer Action, Pancreatic Cancer Scotland, Planets and Guts UK.  The campaign involves the act of lighting purple focal points in villages, towns and cities all over the UK in November, which is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Almost 10,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK each year. Sadly, less than 7% of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive five years or more, and despite being the UK’s fifth biggest cancer killer, the disease receives less than 3% of UK cancer research funding. 

Councillor Nathan Anderson, Chairman of the Council’s Corporate Services Committee said: 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 Lagan Valley Island in purple, we will help put a spotlight on 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: “Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer is a striking and effective way to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer in November. 24 people die a day from pancreatic cancer and the disease has the lowest survival rate of the 20 common cancers, so it is vital that people find out more about it. We’d like to thank all those who are supporting the campaign and helping to light up the UK in purple this November.”

If you would like to take part or find out more about Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer, please visit purplelightsuk.org or e-mail info@purplelights.org.uk.