'Cervical cancer treatment is so important'

Oct 14 2010 By Lawrence Poole, Buckinghamshire Examiner

WITH the Examiner's Jen's Final Wish campaign now in full flow, the family of the 24-year-old who lost her two-year battle with cervical cancer in August are cementing their plans to step up a gear.

Judy Sidebottom, Jen's mum, is still extremely keen to go into schools with her family and speak to pupils about their experiences.

"We want to raise awareness about cervical cancer and in particularly the HPV vaccine that is 70 per cent effective in preventing the disease.

"It's about awareness. Although we are not medically trained, if we could team up with school nurses across the region and talk about Jen, what she went through and how important it is that schoolgirls get this vaccination, that would be great. We are open to invites now."

A work colleague's daughter has already suggested that they speak to her class at Chesham Park about cervical cancer and she is hoping more will follow suit.

Jen's widower Tony Goodridge, 28, wholeheartedly agrees: "It will be a difficult thing to do, but it's what Jen would have wanted. If we can get girls to realise how important this treatment is then that will be really positive."

Several of the region's schools have just been visited by the HPV vaccine programme team with plans to return for the next immunisation in November.

Judy is keen to raise the awareness higher: "If we can get a poster or leaflet campaign going too, that would be brilliant."

Jen's younger brother David, 22, has been in touch with the Advertiser about his desire to see letters for compulsory screening for cervical cancer sent out when women are nearing their 20th birthday.

"I want to help spearhead this campaign. I made Jen a promise before she died that I would make sure that the smear test age in this country is lowered to 20 again and I will not stop until that is achieved."

David has requested a meeting with his local MP, Cheryl Gillan, which is something the Advertiser is hoping to arrange for him. We are still awaiting a suitable date from the Chesham and Amersham MP's secretary. In the meantime, David is continuing to petition and keep up the pressure on the powers that be.

It is not just the graphic design graduate's immediate family who are getting involved either. Tony's step-mum and father have lost nearly 13 stone since Jen was diagnosed in

November 2008 (see story opposite), raising money for the UK's only dedicated cervical cancer charity, Jo's Trust, along the way.

"I'm so proud of what they've done," Tony beams. "It's all for such a good charity too, which helps lots of young people - Jen found them extremely supportive and helpful when she was alive."

Tony's younger brother Richard, 16, is doing a charity scooter ride to Brighton from November 5. His older sibling is proud: "He'll probably only be able to do about 30mph all the way there - but it's great. He's going with a bunch of mates to raise money for Cancer Research; it all helps."

Judy adds finally: "We've made a start now and Jen would be pleased to see that. She'd be happy with the campaign, but she'd tell us to keep going, it's only the start."

If you would like Judy and her family to speak at your school about cervical cancer and Jen's experiences, please get in touch with lawrencepoole@trinitysouth.co.uk.