raising awareness in the community

Community Fundraising team with one of Matthew Gough's paintings - kindly lent to us by his mother, Wendy

Meet the new Community Fundraising Team! Sue Hind Woodward, Satvinder Bahra and Jo Kelly. They bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the department and are eager to put their talents to good use in support of the everyman campaign.

Sue, our Community Fundraising Manager, commented, "The three of us are delighted to join the team at such an exciting time. We'd just like to thank all those supporters and volunteers who have already shown such a brilliant commitment to everyman. We've got a whole host of ideas that we're keen to put into practice this Summer and hope to get even more people involved in this vital cause".

For those of you wanting help or advice with your fundraising plans, or wanting any information on our forthcoming events, the Community Fundraising team are always happy to assist and can be reached on 0171 878 3810.

music for everyman

Tom Croxon, a musician who plays double bass with the world famous Philharmonia Orchestra was diagnosed with testicular cancer last year. Having been successfully treated for the disease, Tom immediately began campaigning in support of everyman.

Tom has been tireless in his efforts to organise a gala concert in aid of everyman, to be held at the Royal Festival Hall on April 7th. This is a massive undertaking so soon after his treatment and Tom's work alongside our fundraising team has proved invaluable.

Tom hopes that his own experience can help raise much needed awareness of testicular cancer. A Mori Poll commissioned by the Institute last year showed that 80% of men questioned knew little or nothing about a disease that primarily affects the 20-34 age range.

Tom commented, "During my stay in hospital it became obvious that there was a lack of awareness and funding for male cancers. Increased research funding is essential if scientists are to make the progress necessary. Please support our fundraising gala concert in aid of everyman".

Professor Cooper added, "We are dealing with an age group who thinks that cancer is unlikely to affect them and we have a serious health awareness issue linked to a part of the male anatomy that falls somewhere between 'lad' humour and embarrassment. As a result, there is a large number of men who have felt unable to talk to even their partner or best friend, leading to complications that could have been avoided".

Tom has managed to persuade legendary conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy to lead the gala evening, the proceeds from which will go towards everyman.

We would be delighted if you would attend the concert on April 7th - for ticket information, please call the Royal Festival Hall Box Office on 0171 960 4242.

a warm welcome

Dr Peter Rigby

He commented, "I am delighted to be taking up this position at such an exciting time in the Institute of Cancer Research's development. My predecessor, Professor Garland, has led the Institute to a position of considerable strength and I hope to be able to build on his impressive achievements".

Our Chairman, Dame Stella Rimington added, "Under Professor Garland the Institute has gone from strength to strength. We are delighted someone of Dr Rigby's calibre is to be his successor. His knowledge and experience will be invaluable".

a legacy for life

March 22nd sees the beginning of 'Make a Will Week'. The aim of the week is to increase people's awareness of the need to make a Will - and of the benefits that doing so can provide to loved ones and to charities.

Making a Will is something that most people intend to do but, surprisingly, seven out of ten people never get around to it! The week is an effort to help people overcome their reluctance to get the job done quickly, easily and with no fuss.

Leaving a legacy to the Institute in your Will really would make a difference in the ongoing struggle to beat this dreadful disease.

To achieve our goal of winning over cancer, in, conjunction with 'Make a Will Week', we have produced an exciting new legacy information pack. For a copy of the pack, just pick up a telephone and call our Legacy Manager, Alan Hammond on 0171 970 6026.