Cancer survivor Newton is an ambassador

Newton McGrath, 59, who lives in Taplow, was diagnosed with myeloma in 2007 after a routine health check at work led to further tests. His health deteriorated and following a course of chemotherapy he received a stem cell transplant in 2010.

He has been treatment-free ever since but meets regularly with his consultant and receives monthly infusions for his bones.

He has been selected as an official Patient Ambassador for the specialist blood cancer charity Bloodwise.

It was in that capacity that he attended last Wednesday's (14/9) event - joining television doctor Dawn Harper, political commentator Alastair Campbell and a host of MPs.

As well as working with hospitals and at hA courageous blood cancer patient was a guest of honour at the House of Commons last week - when he helped launch a national blood cancer awareness week.ealth care venues to raise awareness, Newton and fellow ambassadors have been giving interviews to the media to provide insight into policy issues that impact blood cancer patients.

Newton says: “There needs to be more awareness of blood cancers and it is important that patients do not fear the future. We have come so far in helping people with cancer and technology is helping us move even further in the right direction.”

Despite being the fifth most common cancer and third biggest cause of cancer deaths – claiming more lives each year than either breast or prostate cancer – public awareness of blood cancers is very low.

Reta Brownlow, Head of Patient Services at Bloodwise, says: “The launch of our ambassador programme is a massive step forward in our goal to raise awareness of blood cancers.

“Many of our ambassadors have been blood cancer patients themselves and know only too well how devastating a diagnosis it can be. It is paramount that we increase understanding and raise awareness so that we can support each and every person affected.”