UPDATE - Issue 16 - January 2004
Tenth Anniversary Royal Reception
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester welcomed some 170 guests to a Reception held at St James's Palace last November to mark the charity's tenth anniversary. In her address, she congratulated Professor Kirby and Mr Kilmister (who, nobly assisted by his wife), with the founding trustees, created the Prostate Research Campaign UK nearly 10 years ago.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of
Gloucester with Professor Kirby at the
St James's Palace Reception
Her Royal Highness went on to say: 'Public ignorance on the prostate and its potential problems is almost universal, for it is not unusual that men - and maybe women also - don't know where the prostate gland hides and, therefore, many men who experience some sort of trouble fail to realise that it is in fact a prostate problem which must be seen to. It is important to register that by no means is this always a cancer situation, but it can still be serious and can turn very nasty if left untreated; therefore, professional medical advice must be sought immediately.
We have been remarkably successful in recent years in improving health resources and care for women, and men have helped women. One of the reasons that I have the honour of addressing you tonight is the fact that it made a huge impression on me that The Prince of Wales became involved with one of the breast cancer charities. I thought: how strong, how great to have a man of such standing, supporting, lending empathy and understanding to this devastating women's disease. I gave it some thought and dared mention at a dinner in aid of the Wellbeing Charity that I should love to support an occasion for prostate research. You hadn't even met me, checked me over or realised how little I knew, before asking me to become your Patron. I was very flattered and accepted by return of post in case you changed your mind! I am so delighted to play this small but important role in your outstanding research and support scheme and wish to do whatever I can to help increase public awareness and gain the authority to talk about early diagnosis and prompt treatment for better long-term outcomes.
Our research scientists do not work in a vacuum - rather - they are part of a team, even a worldwide team and they need to know of the public support to help them in this hunt for a cure. With the financial support which is the life-line to research, I know that Prostate Research Campaign UK will go from strength to strength during the next decade.'
Her Royal Highness greets Mrs Sheila Kilmister,
watched by Mrs Jane Kirby