Joe McElderry announced as Teenage Cancer Trust Ambassador and North East Patron

24/06/10

Singing sensation Joe McElderry was today announced as Teenage Cancer Trust’s newest celebrity ambassador and North East Patron. Joe will join fellow ambassador’s Nicholas Hoult, Harry Judd and Noel Fielding in supporting the charity on a national level.

Joe has supported Teenage Cancer Trust in the North East over the last year and will continue to assist the charity in his home town as a Regional Patron. As part of his new role, Joe will be taking part in the Great North Run this September. All monies raised from sponsorship will go towards developing services and facilities for young people diagnosed with cancer in the North East.

To sponsor Joe, visit:

www.JoeMcElderry-TeenageCancerTrust.org

Joe said: “I am truly honored to be an ambassador and North-East patron for Teenage Cancer Trust. To show my support, this September I will be running the Great North Run which finishes in my home town of South Shields. I run almost every day and I am looking forward to taking part in the world’s biggest half marathon and raising money to develop services and facilities for young people diagnosed with cancer in North East England. Teenage Cancer Trust has achieved so much in Newcastle and across the UK, and I hope I can help raise awareness and support for such a great cause.”

Teenage Cancer Trust funds specialist cancer units in NHS hospitals that are designed specifically for young people. They combine an expert team and the best possible therapy with the best possible environment for teenagers and young adults. By focusing on quality of life, Teenage Cancer Trust units can change a teenager’s outlook and give them the fight and attitude they need to beat cancer. There are currently 16 of these specialist units across the country, including one in Newcastle that Joe helped to open in May 2010. The charity aims to build enough units so that, by 2012, every young person with cancer has the choice to be treated on one.

As well as units, Teenage Cancer Trust also funds a number of services all with the same goal – to help young people fight cancer. These include clinical and research staff, an education programme for schools, family support networks and an annual conference for young cancer patients.

Every day in the UK, six young people are told they have cancer. Teenage Cancer Trust understands that teenage cancer requires specialist care, provided in an environment suited to their specific needs. The charity receives no government funding and relies solely on voluntary donations.

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