Westminster Fly-In 2011

Over 70 members of Breakthrough’s Campaigns & Advocacy Network (CAN) united in Westminster for Breakthrough’s flagship campaigning event, the Westminster Fly-In, to keep breast cancer high on the Government’s agenda during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Over 60 MPs and Peers took part in this year’s event making this one of our biggest Fly-Ins yet. Together, our CAN members have made parliamentarians and key policy makers sit up and listen to the priorities for breast cancer during this critical time for health.

We launched our Bridging the Gap in Breast Cancer Survival Charter at the event which outlines the commitments needed to make sure more women survive breast cancer. The success of the event culminated in over 40 Parliamentarians pledging their support by signing the charter.

“Every single life is very valuable so it is crucial the UK match the best breast cancer survival rates in Europe, and there is no good reason why we shouldn't achieve this. The charter is an important step towards the goal of ending the fear of breast cancer for everyone... and what a great day that would be" Susan Head, CAN member from West Midlands

Speaking at the launch Chris Askew said: “We owe it to the 48,000 women and 300 men diagnosed every year to pursue ever better outcomes and improve in the areas we know we need to be amongst the best in Europe.

We are calling on the Government, the NHS, and the public to endorse the principles in our Bridging the Gap in Breast Cancer Survival Charter and to work with us to make sure more women survive breast cancer.”