Prime Minister Andy Burnham has responded to Archie Goodburn’s impassioned plea for more money and resources to be put into brain cancer research by inviting the Scottish swimmer to a personal meeting.
Tears rolling down his face, the 25-year-old had implored “give us a chance to fight for our lives” while speaking about the subject on BBC Breakfast.
Replying to the video on TikTok, Burnham said: “Archie, thank you for this. I know how hard it must have been.
“What you’re doing for other people while you’re going through all this yourself shows the best of us.
“I’d really like to meet you and hear from you directly and I’ve asked my team to get in touch.”
Goodburn was diagnosed with inoperable brain tumours just over two years ago and has since passionately advocated for an increased focus on the disease.
“One of my dreams is that we see a future where brain cancer isn’t the biggest killer of patients under 40,” he said during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
And, making a direct appeal to Downing Street to help ease the “unbearable” suffering of brain cancer patients and their families, he added: “Andy Burnham, if you believe and want to make a change and a difference to the future of our country and our young population, please listen to us.
“Please establish a national brain cancer lead and give us a chance to fight for our lives because the things that patients are going through out there are unbelievable and so unjust.
“There are clinical trials around the world, in the US, in Australia, in China, that could change lives. We are not seeing them in the UK and it is unfair and unjust.
“Please invest and make the difference. I’m on my knees begging for – not just my own life – but for those of my best friends and those that are affected and the families around the country.
“This has to change. It’s been going for too long and the suffering is unbearable.”
