AN MP is urging people to make a stand against a 'devastating' disease which claims thousands of lives every year.

Mark Tami, MP for Alyn and Deeside, has added a dash of pink to his usual attire to support Breast Cancer Now's 'wear it pink' fundraiser, which takes place on October 18.

Since launching in 2002, wear it pink has raised over £33 million to date.

Mark Tami is calling for his constituents to join him, by signing up for wear it pink and helping to make possible life-saving breast cancer research and life changing support for those affected by the disease.

The MP, said: "Every year in the UK, around 55,000 women and around 350 men are given the devastating news that they have breast cancer.

"As a Breast Cancer Now Ambassador I want to raise awareness of the impact of the disease locally, and I hope Flintshire residents will get involved on the October 18 and support this very important cause.

"The money raised has such a huge impact, allowing Breast Cancer Now to fund vital research and support for those living with a diagnosis."

Joining Mr Tami on the day were four Breast Cancer Now supporters who have been affected by breast cancer, including Kate, from Worthing, who was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2015.

The UK still has one of the lowest breast cancer survival rates in Western Europe and this year alone around 11,500 women will lose their lives.

She said: "When I was diagnosed my world turned up-side down. Secondary breast cancer means that it has spread to other parts of the body, making it incurable ― but for me it’s treatable for some time. It’s truly incredible how breast cancer treatments have advanced over the years and it really gives me hope for the future.

"It is so important that we continue to raise money, so that nobody will lose their lives to this devastating disease in the future.

"This is why I’m calling for everyone to take a stand against breast cancer by taking part in Breast Cancer Now’s wear it pink on Friday 18 October."

Anyone can take part in wear it pink. Some people will choose to hold a cake sale, while others will opt to organise a raffle and some will arrange a pink fancy dress day at their school or workplace. No matter how people chose to wear it pink, all the money raised will help to fund vital breast cancer research and support.

In April 2019, Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now merged to create the UK’s first comprehensive breast cancer charity, united around the shared ambition that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer will live, and be supported to live well. Every wear it pink donation will help towards this goal.

Baroness Delyth Morgan, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now, added: "Breast cancer still affects so many of us, and our goal as a charity is that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer will live, and be supported to live well.

"The money raised from wear it pink is so crucial to this helping us to fund vital breast cancer research and support for those affected by the disease.

"We hope that by wearing pink, Mark will encourage more people to wear it pink in on 18 October and help us to continue to fund vital breast cancer research and support."

More information can be found online at wearitpink.org/mp.