CHARITY COLLECTION DURING THE NOVEMBER 2017 BRIGG FARMERS' MARKET

At the November 2017 Brigg Farmers' Market in the town centre  tomorrow (Saturday, 25th) look out for a stall being manned by local fundraisers from Pancreatic Cancer Action.

The group is planning a collection as part of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Pictured above: Andrew Markham and Zoe Hall on a stall in Brigg Market Place earlier this year.

 

 

FROM KIRSTY WESTFIELD, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and North Lincolnshire Council is encouraging local businesses to light up their buildings purple to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer during this month.
Throughout November we will be encouraging people to talk about pancreatic cancer and raise awareness of the symptoms.
Organisations in North Lincolnshire that will be showing their support and helping to raise awareness by lighting their buildings purple, the colour of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month are:

• Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals Trust will be lighting up Global House on Kingsway
• North Lindsey College will be lighting up the front of their building and also the Diner
• British Steel Furnace
• Humber University Technical College, Scunthorpe
• Café Indiependent, Scunthorpe
• Stagecoach will light up their office, two vehicles and hold a Wear it Purple Day

We will be lighting up some of our buildings as well, including Church Square House, Civic Centre, The Angel,  pictured above, 20-21 Visual Arts Centre, Scunthorpe Central Library and The Action Station.
If you would like to light up your business, visit http://purplelightsuk.org.
Pancreatic cancer affects men and women. Each year on average 13 men and 14 women are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and around 14 men and 14 women die each year in North Lincolnshire.
Pancreatic cancer is more common amongst the older ages; almost half the cases are diagnosed in people aged over 75. It is uncommon in people under 40 years old.
There are usually no symptoms in the early stages of pancreatic cancer making it hard to diagnose. An estimated 37 per cent of pancreatic cancers in the UK are linked to lifestyle factors including smoking (29 per cent) and being overweight or obese (12 per cent).
The three most common symptoms are:

• Pain in the stomach or back
• Jaundice
• Unexpected weight loss
• New onset diabetes not associated with weight gain

If you have any of these symptoms, book an appointment with your GP as soon as possible to get checked out.
Pancreatic cancer is currently very difficult to diagnose. Upon diagnosis, most sufferers find they have untreatable terminal cancer with an average life expectancy of between three to six months. Surgery is currently the only cure for pancreatic cancer, but only 10 per cent are diagnosed in time for this to be an option.
More information about Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month can be found at: https://pancreaticcanceraction.org/support-us/awareness-month/.
World Pancreatic Cancer Day 2017 is on Thursday 16 November and gives the opportunity to unite as part of the Purple Lights for Pancreatic Cancer campaign and show support for people with pancreatic cancer, remember those who have sadly died of the disease whilst also raising awareness of the disease.
Cllr Julie Reed, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said:  "Pancreatic cancer is the fifth biggest cancer killer. It is important that we help raise awareness of this type of cancer and the common symptoms. Knowing the symptoms can help with early diagnosis and give you a better chance of surviving. Make sure you don’t ignore the symptoms and see your GP.
“Last year during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month we saw buildings up and down the country lit up purple. This year we really want to paint North Lincolnshire purple and are calling on all North Lincolnshire businesses to take part by either lighting their business up or help raise awareness in other ways.
“By helping us turn North Lincolnshire and the UK purple during November 2017, you can play your part in raising awareness and generating discussion around pancreatic cancer. This can be by lighting a building purple or wearing purple clothing – it all helps.”
The North Lincolnshire charity Hope Is Contagious was set up by Maggie Watts after she lost her husband to pancreatic cancer. The charity aims to help raise awareness, promote earlier detection and engage more research to improve life outcomes of those suffering from pancreatic cancer. For further information on how you can support this local campaign visit: www.hopeiscontagious.co.uk/our-story-so-far.