Tuesday 28th February 2012

Top Chesterfield footballer Jamie Lowry (below) is backing an appeal by a leading cancer charity to help thousands of families affected by the disease to spend more precious time together.



The 'Extra Time' campaign is being launched to celebrate leap day (February 29th) by Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, which raises funds to support Weston Park Hospital, one of just four specialist cancer hospitals in England.

'Extra Time' stems from the idea that each leap year we all benefit from an 'extra' day. Thanks to Weston Park Hospital, more cancer patients are being afforded extra quality time with their loved ones, due to the pioneering cancer research undertaken at the hospital and the provision of the highest possible levels of treatment and care.

Extra time is a term used commonly in football, and as well as The Spireites' own Jamie Lowry, stars from Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley FC, Rotherham United and Doncaster Rovers are all backing the campaign.

The appeal is asking people to sign up to become regular supporters of the charity by donating each month through their bank account, helping in turn to give people living with cancer more precious time with their families.

Jamie said: "My dad had cancer for around three years but thankfully, is well now. He has been given the all clear. Because of that, I really know what it's like when a family member is diagnosed with cancer and how every minute with them is precious.

"Luckily, my dad has been given the all clear but I wanted to support this campaign to help those families who will benefit from the extra time that cancer research and treatment can bring."

Other footballers backing the campaign are Chris Morgan, Club Captain of Sheffield United,  Rob Jones Club Captain of Sheffield Wednesday Kyle Bennett of Doncaster Rovers, Bobby Hassell of Barnsley FC and Dale Tonge of Rotherham United.

Top world-ranking Referee Howard Webb and former Premiership referee Uriah Rennie are also lending support to the campaign.

Rachel Thorpe, Director of Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity said: "We are delighted to be launching the Extra Time campaign and to have the support of the football stars.



"Weston Park Hospital aims to give cancer patients extra quality time with their loved ones through undertaking pioneering cancer research and providing the very best treatment and care. Not everyone knows that Weston Park Hospital treats patients from Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, as well as from all over the region.

"The Cancer Charity plays a vital role in providing funding, which helps keep the hospital at the very forefront of cancer care.

"Supporters can make a real difference to the lives of cancer patients and help give them extra quality time for as little as £3 per month. Knowing that we have regular support means we can plan how we can most benefit the hospital and its patients."

The charity supports a wide-variety of projects at Weston Park Hospital, such as research into different types of cancer including breast, testicular, lung, pregnancy related cancers and skin cancer.

Combined with the funding of specialist medical equipment, this gives helps to give cancer patients access to the very latest techniques and treatments. 

The charity also plays a large part in helping to fund the Cancer Information & Support Centre, which provides advice, guidance and help for anyone affected by cancer, whether it be patients, family members or friends.

John Price of Sandygate Road, Sheffield took part in a clinical trial at Weston Park Hospital when he was diagnosed with secondary cancers in 2001.

John said: "The experimental drug that was part of the clinical trial I underwent saved my life. I would urge everyone to support the 'Extra Time' appeal as I know first hand just how important the work done at the hospital is. I have been given extra quality time with my family which meant I could see my children grow up, and there is simply no better gift than that."

Patients from across the North Trent region - which covers South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Lincolnshire - are treated under the guidance of experts from Weston Park Hospital in Sheffield.

The campaign is highlighted on www.extratimeappeal.org.uk where photos and interviews with some of the football players involved can be seen, along with full details of how to get involved.

It is also the charity's first campaign to link-in with social media - so watch out for updates on Twitter and Facebook.

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