My father, Keshu Lakhman Odedra, aged 53 was diagnosed with lung cancer on 6th August 2019 and in less than 1 month he passed away on 2nd September 2019. 

My father had a long-standing cough that the GP put down to a chest infection. Having taken 2 courses of antibiotics, the cough prevailed. My parents insisted on a CT scan to really understand what was happening.

The CT scan showed cancer in the right lung close to the oesophagus and windpipe. Being a non-smoker, with no real bad habits, it was really hard to comprehend why this happened. 

We came to learn - lung cancer is a disease which can affect anyone - young and old, men and women, smoker and non-smoker.

Every year, over 36,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer, with around 60% of them dying within a year.

The unfortunate part - there are no clear symptoms to help identify lung cancer.

Lung cancer is identified in its early stages only by accident at A&E as a result of other conditions. Sometimes shoulder pains occur - which we all have and we never feel the need to visit the GP. Sometimes coughing and a horsey voice can appear by then cancer has moved too far ahead. 

I want to raise awareness for UK's biggest cancer killer, killing more than breast, prostate and pancreatic cancer combined. Yet, there is only 1 UK charity established - Roy Castle Lung Cancer. With all the money being raised by Cancer Research - only 6% is allocated to Lung Cancer. It makes me furious reading these statistics.

Roy Castle Lung Cancer is raising funds for more screening availability to ensure Lung Cancer is detected early when something can be done. 

In my father's name, I request you to dig deep into your pockets and donate generously to our friends at Roy Castle Lung Cancer so no one has to lose their dear father so early. 

Thank you.