A WOMAN battling cancer and her close friend are urging people to show their support for charity.

Ann Sandeman and Sarah Luff want people to buy a Cancer Research UK “unity band” and wear it on World Cancer Day.

The annual event, whihc this year falls on Wednesday raises awareness of cancer and promotes its prevention, detection, and treatment.

The wristband is made of two parts which form a knot to represent strength in unity. They are available in a range of colours from all the charity’s shops for a suggested donation of £2.

Mrs Sandeman, 44, of Hillside Road, Hastings, and Ms Luff, 33, from Icklesham, near Rye, hope as many people as possible buy the bands.

Mrs Sandeman was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and took the decision to go ahead with chemotherapy during her pregnancy. Her son Ben was born fit and well.

However, her cancer returned in 2010, this time in her chest cavity. It is incurable but manageable.

Mrs Sandeman said: “It is thanks to the treatment I’ve had and the continuing progress that is being made in research that I’m here today.

“It’s really important to people like me that we raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK so that more people can survive longer.”