Political support for Breast Cancer Campaign

Throughout the year, politicians around the UK help to support Campaign. The charity works hard to get them involved in fundraising activities and events and hope their support will raise awareness of the Charity.

Find out more about Campaign's political activity, or download Campaign's Parliamentary Update  

wear it pink
Each year, Campaign holds photo calls in the UK Parliaments and Assemblies to give politicians the chance to be get involved in our biggest fundraising day of the year. In 2008, politicians dressed up in pink lab coats, similar to those worn by scientists, as a reminder that the money raised funds breast cancer research. 
This year saw our first ever event held at the Northern Ireland Assembly, sponsored by Belfast South MLA Carmel Hanna. In total, 42 of the Assembly Members attended, including Health Minister Michael McGimpsey MLA. Margaret Smith MSP and Irene James AM also sponsored similar events at Holyrood and the Senedd respectively.
 An impressive number of MPs also attended the photo call in Portcullis House, sponsored by longstanding Campaign supporter, Shailesh Vara MP. Mr Vara once again tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) that allowed MPs to add their support to wear it pink. Both the Health Secretary, Alan Johnson MP (right), and Health Minister Dawn Primarolo MP attended. All in all, 270 politicians supported wear it pink across the UK in 2008.
 <div><strong><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; color: #3f4042; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">wear it pink</span></strong><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; color: #3f4042; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><br />Each year, Campaign holds photo calls in the UK Parliaments and Assemblies to give politicians the chance to be get involved in our biggest fundraising day of the year. In 2008, politicians dressed up in pink lab coats, similar to those worn by scientists, as a reminder that the money raised funds breast cancer research.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; color: #3f4042; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">This year saw our first ever event held at the Northern Ireland Assembly, sponsored by Belfast South MLA Carmel Hanna. In total, 42 of the Assembly Members attended, including Health Minister Michael McGimpsey MLA. Margaret Smith MSP and Irene James AM also sponsored similar events at Holyrood and the Senedd respectively.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; color: #3f4042; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; color: #3f4042; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">An impressive number of MPs also attended the photo call in Portcullis House, sponsored by longstanding Campaign supporter, Shailesh Vara MP. Mr Vara once again tabled an <a href="http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=36508&amp;SESSION=891" target="_blank">Early Day Motion</a> (EDM) that allowed MPs to add their support to wear it pink. Both the Health Secretary, Alan Johnson MP (right),&nbsp;and Health Minister Dawn Primarolo MP attended.&nbsp;All in all, 270 politicians supported <strong><a href="/how/event/45/">wear it pink</a></strong> across the UK in 2008.</span></div>
Charity visits
The charity invites local politicians to join staff, fundraisers and supporters at our research site visits. It’s a chance for them to find out about the Campaign-funded research carried out in their local constituency.
John Leech MP for Manchester Withington (far right) attended a visit to the University of Manchester. He met Dr Rob Clarke (right) and Campaign-funded researcher Kath Spence, who were looking at whether disruption to factors controlling breast stem cell division.
<div><strong><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; color: #3f4042; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Charity visits</span></strong><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; color: #3f4042; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><br />The charity invites local politicians to join staff, fundraisers and supporters at our research site visits. It&rsquo;s a chance for them to find out about the Campaign-funded research carried out in their local constituency. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; color: #3f4042; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">John Leech MP for Manchester Withington (far right) attended a visit to the University of Manchester. He met Dr Rob Clarke (right) and Campaign-funded researcher Kath Spence, who were looking at whether disruption to factors controlling breast stem cell division. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; color: #3f4042; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><a href="/whatwedo/charity_visits/">More about MP visits to research projects</a></span></div>

Friendship Walks
The Rt Hon Gavin Strang, MP for Edinburgh East, launched the first Holyrood Park Friendship Walk. He joined hundreds of walkers in the five-kilometre walk.

He said, "I am very pleased to be able to support the Edinburgh Friendship Walk and to have met many of my constituents en route. Taking part in this event for Breast Cancer Campaign is a great way to help raise funds for breast cancer research and I would encourage people to organise their own walk later in the year."

Find out what Friendship Walks are taking place near you.

 <p><strong><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; color: #3f4042; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Friendship Walks</span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; color: #3f4042; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><br /></span></strong><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; color: #3f4042; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">The Rt Hon Gavin Strang, MP for Edinburgh East, launched the first Holyrood Park <strong>Friendship Walk</strong>. He joined hundreds of walkers&nbsp;in the&nbsp;five-kilometre walk.<br /><br />He said, &quot;I am very pleased to be able to support the Edinburgh <strong>Friendship Walk</strong> and to have met many of my constituents en route. Taking part in this event for Breast Cancer Campaign is a great way to help raise funds for breast cancer research and I would encourage people to organise their own walk later in the year.&quot;<br /><br />Find out what <strong><font color="#810081"><a href="/how/friendship_walks/">Friendship Walks</a></font></strong> are taking place near you.</span></p>
House of Lords support
Campaign is supported by four Patrons in the House of Lords: Baroness Morgan of Dreflin, Baroness Fookes, DBE (right), Baroness Northover and Baroness Crawley.

This group represents the three leading parties and each has a political or personal interest in health issues. All provide valuable support for Campaign and its work within Parliament.

Find out more about Campaign's House of Lords Patrons
 <div><strong>House of Lords support<br /></strong>Campaign is supported by four Patrons in the House of Lords: Baroness Morgan of Dreflin, Baroness Fookes, DBE (right), Baroness Northover and Baroness Crawley.<br /><br />This group represents the three leading parties and each has a political or personal interest in health issues. All provide valuable support for Campaign and its work within Parliament.<br /><br />Find out more about <a href="/files/whatwedo/Policy/house_of_lords_support.pdf">Campaign's House of Lords Patrons</a></div>