The Cancer Council used the recent Manning Valley Relay For Life to launch their newest advocacy campaign, Saving Life 2015.

Participants at the relay were asked to have a photo in our #changestartshere photo frame to show their commitment to advocating for better cancer services throughout the Manning Valley.

The first person to get their photo in our photo frame was Myall Lakes MP Stephen Bromhead and his wife Sue.

Mr Bromhead supports the campaign which asks the state government to act on 5 key issues surrounding cancer prevention, treatment and support.

These include tobacco retail reform, increasing the Aboriginal workforce in cancer issues and no co-payments for chemotherapy at public hospitals.

There also needs to be better reporting around the importance of coordinated cancer care and better access to a variety of palliative care services, particularly in rural and regional areas.

“I was pleased so many locals supported the day and raised much needed funds for cancer research,” Mr Bromhead said after the event.

“As well as raising much needed funds for cancer research and cancer programs, Relay For Life is also the perfect event to educate people on how they can fight back against cancer through avenues like advocacy.

“A lot of people find it really empowering to know that they can and do impact governmental change through supportingadvocacy campaigns such as Saving Life 2015,” said Imogen Rabone, the Community Programs Coordinator for the Manning Valley.

Ultimately, Saving Life 2015 aims to reduce the amount of people who hear the words ‘you’ve got cancer’.

NSW faces a future where more people in NSW will be getting cancer, and living longer with it.

In Myall Lakes in the five years between 2004-2008, there were 523 new cancer cases per 100,000 people, which was significantly more than the overall rate for NSW.

Decisions need to be made now to ensure that people with cancer and their families get quality care, wherever they live.