Popular poet pens moving tribute for World Cancer Day with help from Wigan GP, researchers and patients

Tony Walsh, who is perhaps best known for his poem about the Manchester Arena terror attack, released his latest work Innit, love? to mark the day.

The poem underlines the love, dedication and cancer expertise in Greater Manchester and holds personal importance, as he dedicated the piece to his mother Elaine, who was treated for a rare spinal tumour at Salford Royal Hospital and The Christie until her death in 2008.

It pays tribute to partnership working across the region and highlights the important emotional, human connections between patients and staff, who he describes as “the hearts behind the badges […] the eyes above the masks”.

Tony started work on the poem by holding a creative workshop in December to understand the thoughts, feelings and reality of those working in, and affected by, cancer.

Among those who took part was Dr Liam Hosie, a GP from Dicconson Group Practice in Wigan, who said: “This year has been busier than ever for the NHS, but we are absolutely still here for our cancer patients, or people that have symptoms that could be cancer. As GPs, we were all worried at the beginning of the pandemic when urgent cancer referrals across the country reduced, as the public refrained from contacting us.

“It is vital that people with worrying symptoms that won’t go away should contact their GP. As Tony says – so often we can sort it – and serious conditions like cancer are much better off when found early.”

Tony’s poem includes a moving tribute to friends and family lost to the disease, as well as touching on challenging emotions and experiences of people affected by cancer.

He said: “Like many people, cancer has touched my family. I felt fortunate to work on this piece to represent all those working across Greater Manchester in cancer and to meet some of our people living with the disease.

“Manchester is an amazing place for many reasons, but we’re also lucky to have world-leading research teams and hospitals that provide undivided care – both in terms of the treatment they can offer and of course, a good dose of northern spirit.

“Whilst it doesn’t shy away from the fear, emotion and challenges that cancer can bring, I hope this piece provides a fitting tribute to the efforts across our city and reassures people at home that they aren’t alone in this.”

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