Darlington's MP has written to a government minister to fight for the use of a potentially life-saving breast cancer drug after the death of one of her constituents.
Lola McEvoy is set to press the government upon the use of Enhertu after the death of Heather Sawyer - a Darlington grandmother who campaigned for the drug she believed would have extended her life.
Heather Sawyer, 50, passed away peacefully on October 5 at St Teresa's Hospice in Darlington four years after she was diagnosed with stage 3 invasive lobular breast cancer.
The grandmother of 11, who lived in Darlington with her husband and parents, then underwent a mastectomy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy before her diagnosis was upgraded to stage 4 in 2022 - the most severe.
Before she died, Heather met with Lola to "push" the importance of the drug being made available on the NHS as currently it is only available in Scotland.
In an emotional post on Facebook, Lola paid tribute to Heather and announced that she will be now looking to raise Enhertu in parliament.
She wrote in a statement: "Heather Sawyer was one of the first constituents to come and visit me after I was elected. Not only was it instantly clear how incredibly lovely she was but it was also apparent that she was a hugely impressive campaigner for women with secondary breast cancer.
"In particular, Heather pressed me on the need for Enhertu - a life-extending prescription drug - to be approved for use in England, as it is in Scotland and dozens of other countries around the world.
"Today in Westminster at an event marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month I met with Clare and Sophie, two more inspirational women with breast cancer who also knew Heather. They are echoing Heather’s calls for Enhertu to be available via the NHS so they can be given more time with their families.
"Some of you may know that Heather sadly died earlier this month. I want to pay the utmost respect to her - she was a wonderful woman and will be greatly missed by those who knew her as well as those who followed her as she bravely shared her experiences online.
"I send my deepest sympathies to her loved ones.
"I will not forget Heather’s story. I have written to the relevant minister to raise the Enhertu issue on her behalf and will do everything I can to ensure that the very best help is available on the NHS to women with breast cancer.
"Rest in peace, Heather. I hope your legacy will ensure this drug can help women like you in the future."
Heather's husband Lee Sawyer also issued a heartfelt tribute to his wife who he called his "best friend".
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He told The Northern Echo: "Heather was inspirational, and with her, there was never a dull moment. It has been emotional seeing all of these tributes for her online.
"I know she has a large group of women she spoke to who she was leading through the bad times even though she was going through a hard time herself.
"She was my best friend, I have lost my best friend."
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