SOUTH NORFOLK MP Richard Bacon received a letter at Westminster for the Prime Minister Gordon Brown from his constituent David Blackett, who is suffering from kidney cancer and who has been refused funding for the drug Sutent by NHS Norfolk.

Mr Bacon said: “I am very pleased to bring this problem to the Prime Minister’s attention”.

“Kidney cancer is the tenth most common cancer among men, with 16 people each day learning that they have the disease. However, it rarely attracts much public attention”.

“David Blackett came to see me recently because NHS Norfolk has denied him funding for Sutent, the most effective drug for treating kidney cancer, even though primary care trusts elsewhere will fund this drug”.

Mr Blackett’s son James and four of his friends Anthony Wiggins, Ian Smith, Martin King and Darren Styles did a sponsored cycle ride from their home village of Tasburgh to Westminster to highlight the funding postcode lottery experienced by many kidney cancer sufferers. They handed Mr Blackett’s letter to Mr Bacon on the steps of the Houses of Parliament, for him to forward to Gordon Brown.

Mr Bacon said: “I applaud the excellent way in which James and his friends have highlighted Mr Blackett’s plight and that of other kidney cancer sufferers. I have forwarded the letter to the Prime Minister and I look forward to receiving his response”.

The money raised from the ride is being donated to the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer. Radio station talkSPORT presenter James Whale, who lost a kidney to cancer in 2000, was also at Westminster to meet the riders and thank them for their efforts on behalf of his charity. 

2 June 2008