AICR was invited to exhibit at this year’s Rotary International Convention held in Birmingham in late June.
The only cancer charity invited into the “Hall of Friendship”, Geraldine Long (Donor Development Manager) and Suzanne Shaw (Donor Development Assistant) spent 6 days highlighting AICR’s work to over 20,000 delegates from across the globe. With the aid of promotional banners, posters and lay summaries of projects we are currently funding the visitors from all corners of the globe were delighted to be shown details of research being undertaken in their country.
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Geraldine & Suzanne were also actively promoting our new Bowel Cancer Campaign which raises money specifically for research into this type of cancer. Such was the interest shown in the information leaflets, extra supplies had to be couriered to them to meet demand. (Cynics among you may think it was because of the shapely derriere used in the marketing material; however, we say it was because of the information and advice they contained).
AICR’s strap line is, “Cancer knows no boundaries…” It certainly transcended language barriers during that week. Rotarians from so many countries told of their own personal encounter with cancer. Patients spoke about their own diagnosis and treatment, loved ones about those they lost to the disease, clinicians about the battles they face in finding funding for treatments. Others told of the lack of support for cancer patients….the list was endless. Geraldine and Suzanne went through a whole range of emotions that week but the greatest emotion was pride that so many leading scientists are being funded by AICR and that their research is making such a vital contribution to our understanding of cancer.
The Rotary Club of Great Britain has supported AICR for a number of years, in particular our Spotlight on Prostate Cancer appeals. Last year, members overwhelmingly supported our PSA Campaign, by signing petitions that were presented to the Health Ministers of the relevant UK parliaments. The campaign was to ensure that men who make an informed decision to have a PSA test after being given all of the relevant information are allowed to do so by their GP. We are very grateful to them for doing so, and for the many generous donations they have given through the years.
