Campaign for Northamptonshire buildings to glow gold for children with cancer

Families of children affected by cancer want to see iconic buildings across Northamptonshire lit up in support of their fight to beat the disease.
Chelsea Knighton died from neuroblastoma aged just threeChelsea Knighton died from neuroblastoma aged just three
Chelsea Knighton died from neuroblastoma aged just three

A group of Northamptonshire parents who have children with cancer have got together with others from around the UK to try and make a difference and change the face of childhood cancer.

Without improved awareness and increased publicity, they believe little will change in terms of early diagnosis, research, treatment or prognosis for children.

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Glow Gold September is a childhood cancer awareness campaign to get iconic buildings throughout Northamptonshire lit up in gold during the month of September.

Michelle Tomkins of Irthlingborough, who is a co-founder of the Chelsea’s Angels charity and aunt to Chelsea, who died aged just three from neuroblastoma, said: “We need iconic buildings across the Northamptonshire to illuminate their external façade in gold for September from dusk until dawn.

“We want to improve the profile of childhood cancer in line with that of the more well-known adult cancers.”

Statistics show 10 children are diagnosed with cancer in the UK every day.

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Of those, a quarter won’t survive the treatment and the vast majority will be left with life-long side effects from the treatments that have changed little in the past 30 years.

Michelle added: “Our aim is to ensure the colour gold becomes synonymous with childhood cancer and our awareness month September.

“So far we have over 100 venues signed up to Glow Gold in September including Althorp House in Northamptonshire as well as UK wide landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle, Gateshead Millennium Bridge and the National Theatre in London with more in the pipeline.

“But we need more iconic buildings and landmarks to get involved.

“Please help us to get your place of work or favourite building to light up in September for children’s cancer awareness.”

For more information about the Glow Gold campaign, click here