Majestic chooses Bowel Cancer UK as Charity of the Year 2012
Following a staff vote in November, Majestic Wine’s Charity of the Year for 2012 is Bowel Cancer UK.
Every 15 minutes in the UK, someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer; this is nearly 40,000 men and women each year. Bowel cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer death in the UK. But it shouldn’t be: the disease is, in fact, highly treatable if caught early. Sadly, over 16,000 die of the disease annually, which is why early diagnosis is so important. Bowel Cancer UK is dedicated to saving lives by raising awareness of bowel cancer, campaigning for best treatment and care, and providing practical support and advice.
Majestic will be raising money and awareness for Bowel Cancer UK through collection tins in stores, mobile phone and printer cartridge recycling and staff fundraising activities.
If you would like to make a donation to Bowel Cancer UK, please visit Majestic's Just Giving page.
Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive, Bowel Cancer UK:
“Bowel Cancer UK is absolutely delighted to have been chosen as Majestic Wine Charity of the Year 2012. As a small charity tackling a big disease, this will make a huge difference and allow us to reach more people with life-saving messages. We are very excited about working with your staff and customers to raise much-needed funds and awareness.”
Harold’s story: screening and early diagnosis of bowel cancer
In December 2007, Harold Staniforth was getting ready to celebrate his 65th birthday. He was in excellent health and enjoying an active retirement, so when a bowel cancer screening kit arrived he decided he had nothing to lose and so completed the test.
About a week later, Harold was asked to attend his local clinic; Harold was advised of the appearance of blood in his stools and so he underwent a colonoscopy. To his horror, this confirmed the existence of a probably malignant tumour in his rectum. Harold was shocked and thought “Why me? I am fit and well and there is no history of bowel cancer in my family.”
Due to complications, Harold’s treatment was transferred to the specialist Christie hospital, where the team put into action a plan to separate and shrink two tumours, so he could be operated on. Surgery was 100% successful, though Harold awoke to find he had to have an ileostomy for eight months and further courses of chemotherapy.
I consider myself a very lucky man. That decision to complete the screening kit in December 2007 was the best decision I have ever made in my life and had I not taken that course of action, there is no doubt in my mind I would not be alive today. Anyone reading this, who is eligible to participate in the screening programme, should not think twice about it. It’s a no brainer – just do it!
For more information about bowel cancer and the national screening programme, please visit their website.
Registered Charity No. in England & Wales 1071038 and in Scotland SC040914