THE Magic Eye cancer scanner will be a really valuable piece of equipment for better diagnosis of cancers.

There are a lot of patients who suffer from cancers in the gullet or oesophagus, stomach and pancreas - this is an area of the body known as the upper GI area.

In fact, approximately one in seven patients who die from cancer have cancers in this area.

This is quite new equipment and we will be the first district hospital to have this equipment in the North West.

It will be available for patients throughout East Lancashire and will be operated by consultants from Burnley and Blackburn working to give better diagnosis.

We need to raise £200,000 to have the benefit of this equipment in East Lancashire.

This will avoid the need for travelling to Liverpool for the clinical investigations.

I have every confidence that local people will respond generously by making donations or by running events to raise the £200,000 needed.

Many people will be able to get themselves sponsored to do all sorts of things. Bereaved relatives may wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers to remember a loved one.

Anniversaries or birthday parties are also a good way of raising money for the appeal.

There will be sporting events, a major sponsored walk and many events in pubs and clubs and schools. All the events will be covered by the Telegraph.

Young and old can all help this appeal. Large and small donations are all welcome.

Please don't forget - however good the NHS, we can make it better, for people throughout East Lancashire.

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