Campaigns
MCDOUGALL LAUNCHES “UPGRADE THE A737” PETITION
West of Scotland Labour MSP Margaret McDougall recently launched an online petition aiming to get the Scottish Government to answer vital questions regarding the A737.
The petition which can be found at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/upgrade-a737/ – aims to get the Scottish Government to confirm upgrades will take place on the A737, what these upgrades shall be and the timescale for these upgrades.
Margaret McDougall MSP said: “With Ardrossan Town station under threat and the recent disruption to our rail services the people of North Ayrshire are crying out for alternatives.”
“While, I of course support better rail infrastructure, we cannot let our roads fall to the wayside. So far, however, the Scottish Government has failed to give any concrete answers and this has been the case of years.”
“I feel that we now need to turn to people power. If the people of North Ayrshire can show the Scottish Government that they desperately want upgrades to the A737 then maybe they shall start listening and give us definitive answers.”
Margaret McDougall shows constituents some TLC
West of Scotland MSP Margaret McDougall has joined forces with breast cancer charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer to help increase breast awareness in North Ayrshire by taking part in the charity’s Touch Look Check campaign.
Touch Look Check (or TLC) is Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s breast awareness message and encourages women to Touch, Look and Check their breast’s regularly. A survey recently undertaken by the charity showed that only half of women in Scotland regularly checked their breasts.
Ms McDougall said:
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Scotland with over 4000 women diagnosed every year. Each year around 1000 women die from breast cancer in Scotland.
“An early diagnosis of breast cancer can help save lives. This is why I am pleased to help spread Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s Touch, Look, Check message to my constituents via my office, website, local press, and social media.
Audrey Birt, Director of Breakthrough Breast Cancer in Scotland, said:
“While more women are surviving breast cancer it is vital that women stay breast aware. Our message is as simple as TLC – Touch, Look, Check. Do this by regularly touching, looking for changes and checking anything unusual with your doctor and attending breast screening if you are over 50, as these are the best ways to identify breast cancer early. If you find any unusual changes or are worried by anything, you should talk to your GP straight away.”
“I am delighted that Margaret McDougall is helping to spread this important message.”
Breast Cancer: Facts & Figures:
• Over 4,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Scotland.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in Scotland. It accounts for nearly 1 in 3 of all cancers in women.
• Around 1,000 women die of breast cancer every year in Scotland.
• Around 20 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Scotland.
• It is estimated that 17 out of 20 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Scotland will survive for at least five years.
• The most recent estimate suggests around 1 in 100 women in Scotland have had a diagnosis of breast cancer at some point in their lifetime.
• Over 80% of breast cancer occurs in women over 50 years of age.
• More women than ever before are surviving breast cancer thanks to better awareness, treatments and screening.
