People & Lifestyle report, July 2006
| SUPPORT FROM THE ROTARY CLUB OF BATTLE
Prostate Research Campaign UK warmly welcomes new sources of support. |
Most recent is the Rotary Club of Battle where President Marian Rigby nominated us as one of her preferred charities for the year. Her reasons for doing so were clear. A much respected club colleague died of prostate cancer after many years of suffering, so did a close friend’s husband and, in January 2004, Marian’s own husband was successfully treated for it with radiotherapy and hormone treatment.
| Marian Rigby and Roger Plail. |
A wish to help was translated into action. It took two forms. First cash. The Rotary Club of Battle has presented us with a cheque for £1,000. Second education. Marian’s club was mobilised to organise a prostate cancer awareness event. It took place in Battle in March in cooperation with Roger Plail, a local consultant radiologist, Tessa Rodgers, a Macmillan urology specialist nurse and Graham Hatfield, founder of the Eastbourne Support Group. The club mounted an extensive publicity campaign to ensure a good attendance. In the event some 50 people came along exceeding all expectations.
Feedback afterwards was generous in its praise. A typical comment came from 82 year old Gerry Gillett who had suffered from prostate cancer since 1998 and is a member of his local support group. “ I applaud Battle Rotary Club’s initiative in arranging this event. It provided key information for those who know nothing about the disease and encouraged men to face up to something that can be treated if tackled in time. I want to persuade other Rotary clubs in the Eastbourne area to arrange a similar event”. Let us hope that he does and that they follow the Rotary Club of Battle’s example.