News
Thursday 15 November 2007
Student wins international lung cancer journalism award
A Nottingham Trent University student has won a prestigious international award for her TV work on lung cancer. Emily Easton, (23), who has recently graduated with a BA in Broadcast Journalism, was picked as runner-up in the Best Broadcast category of the Lung Cancer Journalism Awards, run by the Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC).
Emily’s entry, entitled ‘Cigarette Suicide’ focused on the inequality funding issues of lung cancer compared with other cancers, given that it is often seen as a smokers’ disease and therefore self-inflicted. Emily’s feature was made even more poignant as her uncle developed the disease having never smoked in his life.
The competition attracted over 70 entries from journalists around the world, with just one winner and runner up for each of the three categories awarded – Best Broadcast Report; Best Medical Article; and Best Consumer Article.
As well as being a runner-up in the GLCC awards, Emily also won the Central News East Best Student Television Feature award for 2007, donating her £250 prize money to the hospice that looked after her uncle. Emily’s GLCC TV feature is expected to be used by lung cancer research bodies to help them attract more funding.
She said: “I am so pleased that my work has been recognised in this way. It is obviously a subject close to my heart, and in order for it to come across as a balanced, factual piece I undertook a huge amount of research. I have to say that I really couldn't have done this without the help and support of the Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism at Nottingham Trent University. My lecturers there have really made my achievements possible and have continued to support me even after graduating.”
The Lung Cancer Journalism Awards were first launched by the GLCC in May 2006 to recognise excellence in lung cancer reporting. The awards’ mission is to raise global awareness of the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in both men and women, with more than 1.2 million new cases of lung and bronchial cancer worldwide every year. Sufferers of lung cancer are often stigmatised for their disease which is seen as a 'smoker's' disease, whereas in fact, 20% of those with lung cancer have never smoked.
Emily will receive a €500 research grant and certificate to acknowledge her achievement.
Carole Fleming, Senior Lecturer for the Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism, said: “Emily’s win was well deserved. Her work combines good journalistic research with moving human testimony. I know she put a lot of work into the final piece and she should be very proud of it and herself.”
ENDS
Notes for editors:
The Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC):
The Global Lung Cancer Coalition was set up in 2001 as an international group of patient organisations dedicated to supporting the needs of lung cancer patients. Through acting as the international voice of lung cancer patients they are committed to improving disease outcomes, changing public perceptions of the disease and placing lung cancer on the global healthcare agenda. For more information please visit the Lung Cancer Coalition website.
The Lung Cancer Journalism Awards are supported by Roche.
Press enquiries please contact Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8782 or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8774.
