Hello everyone, I hope this update finds you safe and well.
It has been some time since I reached out, we’ve spent a lot of time (and always will be) mourning our superstar Gemma as well as fundraising for the wonderful hospice who cared for her. Not to mention COVID turning everyone’s world upside down.
BUT, I haven’t forgotten about the petition and the promise made to our much loved and missed Gemma.
In the past few weeks I have: (1) Had a virtual meeting with mine, Gemma and Ricks MP, (2) Re reached out to the Yorkshire Evening Post and (3) Reached out to Steph’s Packed Lunch (the channel 4 lunch time show). Some really productive discussions had and advice received.
Ahead of my meeting with Rachel Reeves (our MP) I sent across the chronology of campaign work, replies and outcomes received and list of media engagements that have covered the campaign to make #changeforgemma
In summary, Rachel thinks the actions are exactly what she’d expect to see, but there was one main thing that could take the campaign forward and to the next level… more individuals / families with the same experience, with the same message, backing and pursuing the same campaign.
How can you help?
If you are an individual or family (or know of one) that have been in the same situation as Gemma (that have had a secondary cancer missed as a result of less comprehensive checks being carried out before a no evidence of active disease verdict was given) … please consider getting in touch to help drive this important piece of work forward.
You can email me on changeforgemma@hotmail.com
You could also email Steph’s Packed Lunch asking them to consider covering the story. Their email is: steph@packedlunch.tv - be sure to include the link to the petition :)
And as always, please keep talking about the petition, its message and sharing the link for signatures. Whilst progressing policy change is hard going, the message of Gemma’s experience itself could help save a life.
Take good care of yourself and each other and I will be in touch soon. Big squeeze… DCB