UK’s only cervical cancer charity boosted by Big Brother support

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, the UK’s only dedicated cervical cancer charity, has been chosen as one of three charities to receive funds through the telephone vote from the last ever series of Big Brother.

Jade Goody, probably the most famous of Big Brother contestants, tragically lost her battle to cervical cancer aged 27. In the UK, around 3 women a day die from cervical cancer, with someone being diagnosed every 3 hours, facing an uncertain future. Over 300,000 women a year are told they may have a cervical abnormality that could require treatment.

Robert Music, director of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said, “We are thrilled to have been chosen by the makers of Big Brother. Not only will their support raise vital funds for our work, it will also help us reach and educate many more women about cervical cancer, its causes and how they can reduce their risk. Thanks to cervical screening and HPV vaccination, cervical cancer is a largely preventable disease and the support of Big Brother will enable us to get this message across to huge numbers of women.”

David Williams, Commissioning Editor for Big Brother at Channel 4 said “We are delighted to be supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. Jade had such an impact on so many lives, not only as a Big Brother contestant but up to and after her tragic death. She was incredibly brave in making her private battle with cervical cancer so public in the hope that other women won’t go through what she did. I am sure she would be delighted that her legacy lives on through our supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.

June 2010

Ends

Further information:
NOTES TO EDITORS

  1. Jo’s Trust – www.jostrust.org.uk is the UK’s only dedicated cervical cancer charity offering support and information for women, families and friends affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities.
  2. Just under 1,000 women die from cervical cancer in the UK each year with 2,800 newly diagnosed.
  3. It is estimated that the NHS Cervical Screening Programme saves 4,500 lives every year. 
  4. In the UK, girls in year 8 at school (aged 12 to 13) are offered the HPV vaccine. There is also a 'catch up' programme in place to vaccinate girls all girls up to 18.
  5. Cervical cancer is predominantly caused by the Human Papilliomavirus (HPV) which can be caught as soon as you start having intimate relationships. 
  6. Big Brother starts on Wednesday 9th June at 9pm on Channel 4. Big Brother is produced by Remarkable Television (an Endemol company) for Channel 4 and E4.

Further information:
For all Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust enquiries please contact: Robert Music, Director: 020 7936 7498, 07980 720061, robert@jostrust.org.uk

 


Last updated: 03/06/2010
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