MOST people, sadly, have been affected by cancer, either personally or because they know someone who has fought it.

Unfortunately, our hospitals are seeing more and more patients every year but the good news is survival rates in the UK have doubled in the past 40 years.

That’s all due to the wonderful research and facilities we have - but we need more.

Facing the trauma of diagnosis and then treatment, cancer sufferers in East Lancashire often find themselves travelling to Preston or Manchester.

This is an extra strain on top of the gruelling chemotherapy.

So it’s fantastic to learn that a world-class Rosemere-backed unit will be up and running in Burnley next spring.

The hospital there already delivers around 4,000 chemotherapy treatments annually but is reaching capacity.

The fear was that people would be sent elsewhere in their hour of need.

This new unit alleviates some of that problem but can only be made possible with a big fund-raising drive over the next few weeks and months.

As always, the people of East Lancashire, inspired by their own stories, will dig deep.