Watch: Emotional TV brain cancer plea leads to meeting with PM
Scottish swimmer Archie Goodburn met with Prime Minister Andy Burnham to advocate for improved brain cancer research and care. The government has committed to appointing a national clinical lead and reviewing current treatment protocols.
Why it matters
It demonstrates the impact of public advocacy on government health policy and resource allocation for rare diseases.
Emotional TV plea for cancer research leads to meeting with PM Close Swimmer Archie Goodburn has been successful in his efforts to improve brain cancer care for patients as the UK government announce new measures.
The Scottish athlete, who was diagnosed with three inoperable brain tumours two years ago, met Prime Minister Andy Burnham after making an emotional plea on BBC Breakfast for more investment to be put into brain cancer research.
After the meeting, Burnham announced a new national brain cancer clinical lead and promised a review of brain cancer progress and action to get patients treatment sooner.
Goodburn, 25, thanked the prime minister and said all three of his requests have been "promised to some extent" but "fleshing out" needs to be done on the details.
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One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
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