BBC presenter's melanoma campaign "saved our lives"
'We were very lucky'
Mr Williams said he found a mark, about a millimetre in size, on his left knee that he had never been worried about until the Sun Safe Campaign appeal was launched in 2015.The campaign directly inspired 479 people to get their skin checked out by experts, more than 100 of whom were urged to go for further tests.In November 2015, Mr Williams said he noticed the mark was "noticeably darker" when he returned home from a holiday in the Bahamas.After having a check-up with a dermatologist in February 2016, they took the mole out and tests revealed it was melanoma.In April 2016, they then took a larger amount of skin and tests showed he was then cancer free.Speaking to BBC Radio Derby in 2016, Mr Williams said: "All the work and publicity that Colin Bloomfield did, detected my melanoma at an early stage."I think Colin Bloomfield has made a tremendous impact in what he has done for me."
After her husband received the all clear, Mrs Williams decided she wanted to get a mark on her face checked out by doctors in July 2016."I had an original biopsy that found nothing on my mark", said Mrs Williams."When they looked at it again after it was removed, they found melanoma in the middle of it. We were both very lucky to catch the cancer at an early stage."Mrs Williams said the campaign has been "very important" to her and her husband and she has now urged people to get their moles checked out."If we see anyone with a mark or a mole, we always tell them to get it checked out and we want to help them with that first step," she added."Colin's legacy has reached a lot of people and it has saved both of our lives."It's better to be safe than sorry, so buying sun cream and putting it on could save your life."During a recent trip to Trinidad and Tobago, the couple said they ensured they wore factor 50 sun cream "in the morning, afternoon and reapplied again after swimming."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
9 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Hundreds attend Turner Syndrome Football Festival in Glasgow
More than 200 girls from across the West of Scotland arrived at Petershill Park in Springburn on Sunday, July 27, for the annual Turner Syndrome Awareness Football Festival. For the first time, teams had the chance to play across the entire complex in North Glasgow, which allowed even more girls to take part. (Image: TSSS) The event was organised by the Turner Syndrome Support Society (TSSS) in an effort to raise awareness of the rare genetic condition, which is said to affect one in every 2000 girls. Arlene Smyth, executive officer of the TSSS, highlighted the importance of early diagnosis. She said: "Events like these are absolutely essential in raising awareness of Turner Syndrome. "If a girl is not achieving expected growth or development, it's important not to ignore the signs -early diagnosis makes a real difference. 'We're grateful to everyone who helped make today possible." (Image: TSSS) READ NEXT: Glasgow youth project in desperate bid for new building According to NHS Scotland, Turner Syndrome (TS) is a rare genetic condition that only affects females and is usually diagnosed at birth. There is currently no cure, but treatment and support are available to help manage symptoms. It is understood that everyone with the condition is affected differently; however, it can impact growth, height, and general development. This year's football festival saw an increase of more than 50 per cent in attendance and was described as both a 'significant milestone' for girls' football and raising awareness of TS. Teams from Phoenix Girls travelled from Hamilton, Renfrew, West Park United, Kilmarnock and Glasgow City to take part. Gus MacLean, chair of Phoenix Girls FC, said: "This event wouldn't have been possible without the commitment of our partners, the Partick Thistle Charitable Trust, and the tireless work of coaches, parents, and volunteers. 'Together, we're making a real difference." Iain Stuart, Scottish Women's Premier League competitions officer, presented the medals on the day. (Image: TSSS) He praised the event as a 'testament' to the power of partnership and community. READ NEXT: Man hits out at 'unbelievable' state of Glasgow cemetery Speaking at the festival, Mr Stuart commented: "Festivals like this simply didn't exist a decade ago. "It's fantastic to see hundreds of girls out playing football together, raising awareness, and showing just how far the women's game has come. 'Today is a testament to the power of partnership and community." The event was delivered through a partnership between the TSSS, a Clydebank-based charity, and Phoenix Girls FC, who built on the previous year's success with the support of the [[Partick Thistle]] Charitable Trust. (Image: TSSS) (Image: TSSS) It was dedicated to the memory of Emma Woods, who lived with TS and sadly died aged 20. The Emma Woods Memorial Fund, created by her friends and family, continues to raise vital funds to support awareness campaigns and initiatives such as the festival. Fraser Cromar, CEO of the Partick Thistle Charitable Trust, said: "Petershill Park is synonymous with women's football in Scotland, being home to both Glasgow City and Partick Thistle Women. 'When we heard about the vision behind the Turner Syndrome Awareness Football Festival, we were fully committed to supporting it. 'Bringing communities together through football to raise awareness for such an important cause is exactly the kind of initiative we want to champion." For further information on TS visit the TSSS's website HERE.
Daily Record
9 hours ago
- Daily Record
RSPCA warns certain dogs are 'ticking time bomb' that can carry disease risks
The animal welfare charity has likened the process of importing pooches into the UK as "Deliveroo for dogs" Buying or adopting a dog always comes with risks, namely around the canine's health and/or how likely they are to lash out or not take to training as well as the owner would hope. There are also circumstances that can exacerbate these risks, and it turned out importing dogs into the UK is one of them, according to an animal charity, which is calling for stricter regulations on animal rescues doing just that. The RSPCA has cited concerns about disease risks and behavioural issues, just as government statistics show that in 2023, 320,000 pets were brought into the UK under travel pet schemes and 44,000 entered as commercial imports. RSPCA spokesman David Bowles compared the process to " Deliveroo for dogs" and called on the government to tighten regulations on animal rescues. He told the BBC: "The RSPCA's major concern is these dogs are essentially ticking time bombs – coming over, not being health tested. "Diseases are now coming in through these dogs. They're affecting not just the dogs that are being imported - they could also affect the dogs already in this country and their owners. "They've almost set up a Deliveroo for dogs and that is a real problem." Currently, rescue organisations in Scotland must be licensed, but there is no such rule for England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Just weeks ago, a bill that aims to stop animal smuggling and cruelty cleared the Commons with cross-party support. Legislation put forward by Liberal Democrat MP Dr Danny Chambers will reduce the number of animals for non-commercial entry into the UK, ban the import of puppies and kittens under six months old or heavily pregnant dogs and cats, and halt the import of dogs and cats who have been "mutilated," including having their ears docked. The MP for Winchester's Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs , Cats and Ferrets) Bill was supported by the Government, and will now proceed to the House of Lords on its passage to becoming law. "I've seen the devastating consequences of puppy smuggling," Dr Chambers said. "It's unimaginably cruel to separate puppies and kittens from their mothers at a very young age, and then bring them across borders in substandard conditions where they're then sold for maximum profit by unscrupulous traders who prioritise profit over welfare. "Careful consideration has been given to setting these limits, balancing the need to disrupt illegal trade with minimising impact on genuine pet owners. "To underpin this, only an owner, not an authorised person, will be permitted to sign and declare that the movement of a dog or cat is non-commercial." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Mr Chambers criticised the influence of social media on the increased demand for dogs with docked ears, while a party colleague said one reason for the interest in dogs with cropped ears is "that a lot of influencers on Instagram and other social media platforms pose with these dogs or show they have these new dogs with cropped ears". "Many people aren't aware that this is a mutilation," he pointed out. "They think it's how the dogs' ears normally look, and it drives a demand for dogs that look like this."
South Wales Guardian
20 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Imported dogs could carry disease or behaviour risk, RSPCA warns
Government statistics reveal that in 2023, 320,000 pets were brought into the UK under travel pet schemes and 44,000 entered as commercial imports. RSPCA spokesman David Bowles likened the process to 'Deliveroo for dogs' and called on the Government to tighten regulations on animal rescues. He told the BBC: 'The RSPCA's major concern is these dogs are essentially ticking time bombs – coming over, not being health tested. 'Diseases are now coming in through these dogs. They're affecting not just the dogs that are being imported, they could also affect the dogs already in this country and their owners. 'They've almost set up a Deliveroo for dogs and that is a real problem.' There is no requirement for rescue organisations to be licensed in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. It comes weeks after a bill that aims to stop animal smuggling and cruelty cleared the Commons with cross-party support. Legislation put forward by Liberal Democrat MP Dr Danny Chambers will reduce the number of animals for non-commercial entry into the UK, ban the import of puppies and kittens under six months old or heavily pregnant dogs and cats, and introduce a halt on the import of dogs and cats who have been 'mutilated', including having their ears docked. The MP for Winchester's Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill was supported by the Government, and will now proceed to the House of Lords on its passage to becoming law. Dr Chambers said: 'As a vet, I've seen the devastating consequences of puppy smuggling. It's unimaginably cruel to separate puppies and kittens from their mothers at a very young age, and then bring them across borders in substandard conditions where they're then sold for maximum profit by unscrupulous traders who prioritise profit over welfare.' He added: 'Careful consideration has been given to setting these limits, balancing the need to disrupt illegal trade with minimising impact on genuine pet owners. To underpin this, only an owner, not an authorised person, will be permitted to sign and declare that the movement of a dog or cat is non-commercial. He criticised the influence of social media on the increased demand for dogs with docked ears, and a party colleague hit out at the platforms' role in publishing animal abuse. He said: 'One reason that there is such an interest in dogs with cropped ears is that a lot of influencers on Instagram and other social media platforms pose with these dogs or show they have these new dogs with cropped ears. Many people aren't aware that this is a mutilation. 'They think it's how the dogs' ears normally look, and it drives a demand for dogs that look like this.'
