In the last 10 months, we have been working to set up a charity in memory of Jess. It is called Jessica Brady CEDAR (Cancer Early Diagnosis Awareness and Research) Trust.
Below, you will find words I have taken from our website https://jessicabradycedartrust.org.uk/ to explain our mission.
“Jess was passionate about doing the ‘right thing’. She was, without question, gentle and kind, but she was also full of integrity and determination.
Despite a protracted illness and escalating symptoms, she was 'reassured' by her GP practice that she had Long Covid (despite no positive test) and that she was 'too young for cancer'.
Jess was forced to resort to a private self-referral to see a specialist. Tragically, it was too late, and she died just 3 weeks later. She was 27 years old.
Jess' symptoms were a ‘red flag’ and should have triggered concern.
During her time in the hospital, Jess talked a lot about raising awareness and changing things for others.
We have created the Jessica Brady CEDAR Trust as Jess’ legacy. Our mission is to improve GP awareness and diagnosis of cancer.
Currently, only 54% of cancers are diagnosed at stage 1 or 2. It is imperative this improves for everyone, including young people. According to Cancer Research UK, if bowel cancer is diagnosed at Stage 1, there is a 90% chance of survival for five years or more following diagnosis. If diagnosed at Stage 4, this is reduced to just 10%.
The weight of responsibility in achieving earlier diagnosis lies in the hands of General Practice Doctors.
Working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care, and The Royal College of GPs, we plan to fund the provision of training materials to be used within Primary Care.
In the long term, we hope to raise enough money for the charity to fund an online teaching programme to help raise awareness and improve earlier diagnosis within the profession.
As a small charity, we guarantee all your donations - every penny - will be spent wisely and carefully, without incurring unnecessary administrative costs.”
https://www.justgiving.com/jessicabradycedartrust
This is a link to our ‘Mission’ PowerPoint
https://vimeo.com/873865837/736b94ea24
You will find Jessica Brady CEDAR Trust on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, please do follow us, we would love your support.
We would like to reassure you that our work with the government, promoting the points of this petition and Jess’s Law, will continue. We remain committed to bringing about positive change in the future and are, as always, indebted to all of you for your unstinting support.
Thank you so much.