Representing you in 2014
So 2014 was a pretty eventful year for the Public Affairs Department. We launched our General Election campaign, met with key decision-makers, and even threw buckets of ice over a couple of them.
Below is a round-up of what we’ve got up to supporting people affected by cancer (as told by our twitter feed).
Macmillan Question Time 2014
In May we marked ‘one year to go’ until the General Election with our annual Macmillan Question Time.
The event gives people affected by cancer the chance to ask a panel of senior politicians about the issues that matter most to them. Read more here.
Macmillan Tug of War
In June, the 27th House of Lords vs House of Commons Tug of War was a chance for Macmillan to remind MPs, Lords and other attendees that cancer is still an important issue, and we still have a long way to go.
Read more here.
Parliamentary Events
Throughout the year we held drop-in events in Parliament for MPs to learn more about our campaigns, and sometimes take a photo with one of out props for their social media.
Read more about our individual campaigns here.
Ice Bucket Challenge
But we’ve not just been sticking to traditional methods of getting our point across to MPs. 2014 was the year of the ice bucket challenge, and we got involved helping a couple of MPs complete the challenge for the amusement of their constituents.
See here for an example.
Tweet off
In August we tried out another new strategy. We sent a poster to every MP which said how many people affected by cancer they were supporting in their local area and asked them to tweet a photo for us.
Here is Julie Hilling MP snapping her support.
2014 Party Conference
In September and October we went to Party conferences, and met with MPs and Ministers including Andy Burnham MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health, and Jane Ellison MP, Public Health Minister.
We also held a fringe event on improving access to social care for people at the end of life.
World’s Biggest Coffee Morning
In September we held out first ever coffee morning in Parliament to give MPs a chance to learn more about Macmillan services, as well as eat some cake.
#TimeToChoose
Towards the end of the year Macmillan launched timetochoose.org.uk, a website that lets you show your support for our General Election calls, and call on parties to commit to them in their 2015 manifestos and pledges.
Now it’s your turn!
Go to timetochoose.org.uk, take a picture of yourself holding up a white piece of paper and the computer will do the rest.
Britain Against Cancer 2014
December’s Britain Against Cancer conference is an All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer event, organised by Macmillan.
The conference is an opportunity for the entire cancer care community to come together, including cancer voices, cancer charities, journalists and politicians.
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This has only been a brief summary of all the campaigning we’ve done this year to keep cancer at the top of the political agenda. For an even more complete picture check out our twitter collection, showcasing all our wins in 2014.
