I have been given the privilege of launching the countdown to Britain's first National Cancer Day.

The Cancer Research Campaign has designated May 23 (its birthday) to raise public awareness of the great strides in science, which now mean more than 100,000 people in the UK each year are cured of the disease.

Blue silk buttonhole starflowers - like the one I have here - are available in many shops and stores nationwide for a suggested donation of £1.

The Cancer Research Campaign chose the starflower as its new emblem because for over 700 years doctors and scientists have used this medicinal plant in the treatment of cancer. I do hope you will join me in supporting this worthwhile cause. After all there can't be a home in Britain that hasn't been touched by cancer in some way.

SHARRON DAVIES, Cancer Research Campaign.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.