Please support this important fund raising campaign, directed at
Rowing Clubs, Rugby Clubs and other interested people, including other
friends and relatives, to support research.
Two brothers, Neil and Alan Thomas, based in the NW of England, both
died of Oesophageal Cancer at a time when they were continuing to give
major support to the sports of rowing and rugby. Their younger brother,
Robin Thomas is Chair of PROBE, the patient network geared to raising
funds for essential research into this disease and connected conditions.
THIS CAMPAIGN IS BEING SUPPORTED BY RICHARD HILL, MBE, legendary
England flanker, World Cup Winner 2003 and by TIM FOSTER, MBE Olympic
Gold Medal Winner, Sydney 2000, in the Coxless Fours, along with Sir
Steve Redgrave, Sir Matthew Pinsent, and James Cracknell.
MORE ABOUT NEIL & ALAN:
• Alan died in 2001, aged 62. Until very recently, he had played
rugby as a veteran with Linley & Kidsgrove Rugby Club. He played at
Wallasey Grammar School, Hull University and at Linley. He was not a
star player but a stalwart and enthusiastic vet at the grass roots of
the game. But for his premature death, Alan could have carried on as an
energetic three quarter and as a local councillor where he was known
for his hard work on behalf of others.
• Neil rowed at Wallasey Grammar School, where as Captain, he won
the prestigious Public Schools Fours at Marlow Regatta and then at
Jesus College Cambridge. After university, he returned to the West
Float at Liverpool Victoria Rowing Club where he guided the club over
four decades culminating with the opening of the new boathouse (by Sir
Steve Redgrave) in 2004, a few weeks before he died.
• At the same time as his work with the Vics, Neil was ascending
the hierarchy of the Amateur Rowing Association to a point where he
became President of the ARA (1985-94). Neil helped to modernise the ARA
to a point where rowing became the UK’s most successful sport in
international terms and well organised and financed at club level. Neil
died in 2004 aged 70, just as the dream of the new Wirral Rowing Centre
was materialising.
SOME KEY FACTS ABOUT OESOPHAGEAL CANCER
• This cancer is one
of the fastest growing cancers in the western world, with more deaths
in the UK than we have on the roads.
• It particularly affects middle aged and older men, but we are starting to see younger people, males and females affected.
• Whilst some excellent research work is being done, we do not
fully understand the causes. We also need more effective ways of
dealing with this often fatal disease.
• Both my brothers gave excellent support to their sports. You
now have a chance to do something in their memory which will ultimately
be of value not only to society at large, but also to people in your
sport.
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO.
• Display the colour poster on your notice board and bring this leaflet to the notice of your committee and club members.
• With their support, please set up some kind of informal event.
• This could be: a mini rugby tournament, a scratch V111s
challenge, sponsorship for some kind of endurance event, a raffle for
an item to be donated. A Sevens Event for a particular group, pay to
enter, teams to obtain sponsorship.
• A challenge/knockout event for any class of boat or age group.
Some kind of training challenge—individuals to be sponsored for levels
of achievement, e.g on a rowing machine. Collection at a specific
event, e.g. Regatta, championship, club dinner.
• Even the smallest gesture will be very welcome, an informal
whip-round, spare change, fines for swearing in the scrum or whilst
rowing in cold and wet weather, informal car boot sale.
• I realise you have all sorts of demands on your time and money
and that your club is rightly the main focus of money raising, but
please do what you can. If you suffer from chronic indigestion,
heartburn (acid reflux) or have a friend or relative who has had
Oesophageal Cancer, you will have a particular interest in this
campaign.
• I will be happy to visit your club to support the event and can line up a medical speaker if your members are interested.
TO CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS
Richard Hill and Tim Foster have
agreed to host a special event in 2008 to thank clubs and individuals
for their support and there will be a ceremonial handing over of a
cheque by Richard and Tim to Dr Paul Salmon, Chair of the Barrett’s
Oesophagus Foundation, which will decide on the destination of the
funding. This event will probably take place in London and full media
coverage will be sought. All contributors will be invited.
BACKGROUND
PROBE is the patient network of the Barrett’s Oesophagus
Foundation—the national charity set up in 1999 to tackle a condition
linked to oesophageal cancer.
PROBE comes from: Patients for
Research into Oesophageal Cancer and Barrett’s Epithelium, but it also
brings to mind an Endoscope, a camera-laden device used as a kind of
probe to look inside the oesophagus, currently the only way to diagnose
Barrett’s Oesophagus. Your Oesophagus (Gullet) is the pipe taking food
from the mouth to the stomach. If problems occur, there can be serious
consequences.
SOME ADDITIONAL KEY FACTS
• Millions suffer from indigestion and heartburn (reflux), sometimes through poor eating habits, but not always
• People generally assume it is not serious and tend to mask the
situation by taking a proprietary medicine (Gaviscon, Rennies)
• A small number of people in the above situation go on to get a
condition called Barrett’s Oesophagus, whereby part of the lining
oesophagus changes as a result of constant acid reflux.
• For reasons not fully understood, a small proportion of Barrett’s sufferers go on to get oesophageal cancer.
• This cancer has a very poor survival rate. Treatment can involve a radical operation, but the overall success rate is low.
• THIS CANCER IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING CANCERS IN THE
DEVELOPING WORLD. It kills around 6,000 people in the UK, that’s more
than die on our roads.
• It tends to affect middle-aged males, but it also affects women and younger people. Obesity can be associated with it.
WHAT’S HAPPENED SO FAR?
• 1999 A group of medical people set up the Barrett’s Oesophagus
Foundation, incorporating the UK Barrett’s Oesophagus Register. This is
a growing database of patients which is providing valuable data for
research.
• 2004-6 The setting up of PROBE as the patient support network,
with the aim of raising awareness and funding for research. PROBE has a
national committee and is developing regional branches throughout the
UK.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE MONEY?
There are a number of key research projects going on at the moment, e.g.
• The ASPRECT Trial at Leicester University, looking at the
effectiveness of aspirin in conjunction with proton pump inhibitors
• Important genetic work being done by the Leeds University team.
• Examination of the data arising from the UK Barrett’s Oesophagus Register
• Work by the MRC at Addenbrooks on new method of diagnosis.
• Very interesting Nottingham work on high definition imaging
• Other exciting projects at London, Gloucester, Newcastle and elsewhere.
• Money raised by PROBE branches will largely go straight to the
Barrett’s Oesophagus Foundation who will support appropriate research.
My details are as follows:
Robin Thomas,
12 Kingfisher Chase,
Old Cawsey,
Sowerby Bridge,
West Yorkshire,
HX6 2AD
Phone: Home 01422 835250 Mobile: 07771 977387
Email: robin_thom05@hotmail.com
Please contact me for more posters and information sheets.
DONATIONS to be sent to:
David Fletcher,
Probe Treasurer,
6, Meadowcroft,
Chalfont St Peter,
Bucks
SL9 9DH
(Please make cheques payable to PROBE. But mark them on the back
Neil & Alan Appeal, so we can have the full total on a large
presentation cheque). Please visit our website for Gift Aid Form.
Useful Links. Please visit our website at: www.probe.org.uk
Downloads: Download this document for additional information: Download Our Poster.
Many Thanks: Robin Thomas
