The 20th of December marked 2 years since Jess died. The words “Jess died” feel no less alien now than they did during Christmas 2020. We still feel we have been caught up in some horrendous nightmare and somehow, somewhere, Jess is living her life. In that alternative reality, Jess has passed a few more milestones. With her partner, she has bought the home she dreamt of, she has her own fluffy, flat-faced cats and perhaps is expecting her first child. Unfortunately, the truth is, all of these possibilities do not exist.

The purpose of this campaign has always been to prevent the unthinkable from happening to others. With your support, we have worked with the government to tell Jess’ story and reiterate the importance of early diagnosis.

On Thursday 12th January 2023, we will meet with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, for the second time. We are grateful to him for allowing us another opportunity to discuss positive changes to diagnose cancer earlier. Our proposal for Jess’ Law - at minimum, after the third contact with a GP surgery about a condition/symptom a case should be elevated for review, this should not be a tokenistic exercise but involve thorough investigative procedures - will be key to our discussion, as will providing statutory, annual training for GPs to help diagnose cancer earlier.

The Government has set a vital target to diagnose 75% of cancers at the earliest stages 1 or 2 by 2028, compared to 54% today. We will ask how they plan to realise this target.

As we move into the New Year, it would be good to tip the quarter of a million mark in signatures. Sadly, this petition is still hugely relevant.

Once again, my request is the same; this week, please show this petition to someone and encourage them to sign and share it. We need to continue to push for change and perhaps next year, or in the next decade, some young lives will have been saved, not lost. 

Thank you so much for your continued support.