Wife’s campaign to change law in husband’s memory to be debated in parliament

A wife’s campaign to change the law in memory of her late husband will be debated in parliament next month.

Owain James, from Machen, passed away last summer with a brain tumour, leaving behind wife Ellie James and young daughter Amelia.

Ellie has since been campaigning for Owain’s Law – which Caerphilly MP Chris Evans will lead a debate on in Westminster on January 7.

As part of Owain’s treatment, his tumour tissue needed to be fresh-frozen. However, of the 7cm of Owain’s tumour tissue that was removed, only 1cm of it had been fresh-frozen. This is something Ellie says was not discussed with the family beforehand.

As a result, Owain could only have three vaccines – when he could have had around 30 created had the entire tumour tissue been fresh-frozen.

His tumour regressed, giving the family a renewed optimism, but it came back again, with no more vaccines able to be produced. Owain passed away on June 26, 2024.

Owain’s Law would require every NHS hospital to freeze suitable brain-tumour tissue the right way, while guaranteeing that the tissue remains the patient’s property under informed consent.

Ellie has set up an online petition calling for Owain’s Law – and is aiming to collect one million signatures supporting the cause. Currently, the petition has more than 14,500 signatures.

Her aim is to bring about changes to the law in both Wales – where health is devolved – and in England.

Labour MP Mr Evans said: “I am looking forward to being able to raise the Owain’s Law campaign in parliament through a debate in Westminster Hall, where the government will be able to hear all the points made and provide their response.

“I want to thank the tireless campaigning of Ellie James and everyone else who has contacted me about this important issue.

“I am hopeful that the government will recognise the powerful points the campaign is making, and commit to changing the law so that people have the widest possible range of options when it comes to cancer treatment.”