DAVID Beckham has paid a touching tribute to a close friend who died of brain cancer.
Baroness Tessa Jowell announced the horrendous illness on her 70th birthday and passed away on May 12, 2018.
David Beckham and Baroness Tessa Jowell are pictured above in 2005 after being invited to the stage when winning the hosting rights of the 2012 Olympics
David Beckham has paid tribute to close friend Baroness Tessa Jowell
There are around 5,500 brain and other intracranial tumour deaths each year in the UK, equating to 15 every day.
When it comes to what causes brain cancer the NHS says there are several factors that could increase your risk and the risk rises as we get older.
Baroness Jowell played an instrumental role in delivering the London 2020 Olympics while serving as culture secretary.
For the 10th anniversary of the event, a newly cut version of Danny Boyle’s Opening Ceremonies will be shown in hundreds of cinemas across the UK.
Golden Balls, along with other celebrities including Denise Lewis are urging people to #turnupforTess on July 27.
All proceeds from ticket sales of the film will be donated to the Tessa Jowell Foundation.
Set up in her memory, her daughter Jess Mills has helped to raise awareness of the condition – which is one of the biggest cancer killers of children and people under 40 in the UK.
Former Olympic torch bearer, Becks said: “As a close friend of Tessa, it is my honour to help support her family foundation to deliver her final campaign – to transform NHS brain cancer care in Britain.
“Tessa was absolutely key to bringing the Olympics to London, with all the incredible memories that brought, and I cannot think of a better way of honouring such a wonderful person than by supporting a cause she cared so passionately about. Please donate if you can.”
Tessa first went public about the illness in September 2017.
The former MP for Dulwich and West Norwood said she was “not afraid” and wanted to raise awareness about the realities of the cancer.
She called for a change in NHS rules so cancer patients are allowed to take on the risk of undergoing different innovative treatments.
In a moving speech in the House of Lords on January 25, she spoke of suffering seizures in a taxi.
A tumour was removed from her brain, and she was receiving radio and chemotherapy too.
“In the end, what gives a life meaning is not only how it is lived, but how it draws to a close,” she said.
Her death was announced on May 13, 2018.
Jess Mills, CEO of the Tessa Jowell Foundation and daughter of Tessa said despite the fact brain cancer is one of the biggest killers in the UK, treatment options and advances in research have not changed in decades.
She added: “Mum believed passionately that that could, and must change.
“So it is with great pride that all the funds raised from this event will go to fund our NHS Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence, that will ensure all children and adults with brain cancer can receive world class care, in their local NHS hospital.”
Text TESSA to 70470 to donate just £5 or go to www.tessajowellfoundation.org.uk to find out more
