The great and the good from the mortgage industry will once again come together on 30 October 2008 for the annual Broomstick Ball, held in aid of Cancer Research UK, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Despite the current market conditions, it is important that we remember how this event began and why we should all look to try and support this worthy cause in any way possible, however small.
The Broomstick Ball was conceived when a member of staff at Bristol & West was diagnosed with cancer, aged just 28. While in remission, she wanted to raise funds to help the cause. Cancer Research UK receives no funding from the Government and relies completely on people like us making donations and supporting fundraising activities. The first Broomstick Ball took place in 1999, when the event attracted just over 200 people and raised £20,000 for the cause.
Sadly, Natalie, passed away aged just 33, but pleasingly the Broomstick Ball has moved from strength to strength; last year hosting more than 600 guests and raising £175,000 on the night.
Traditionally, this is the night when we all come together, and raise much needed funds for this worthy cause. The Broomstick Ball has become the biggest single fundraising event in the Cancer Research UK calendar, and is a credit to the mortgage industry and each one of you. The money that you have raised over the last nine years has in some way made a contribution to the achievements of Cancer Research UK.
Cancer Research UK has a vision for the UK to beat cancer. It carries out world-class research to improve understanding of the disease and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer. It ensures that its findings are used to improve the lives of all cancer patients.
Cancer Research UK helps people to understand cancer, the progress that is made and the choices that each person can make. It works in partnership with others to achieve the greatest impact on the global fight against cancer. Cancer touches all our lives, be it a loved one, friend or colleague.
However, the number of people who survive for more than five years from some of the most common types of cancer has doubled since the National Health Service was founded 60 years ago. The survival for colon cancer has risen dramatically from 18% to 47%, while breast cancer survival has more than doubled from 37% to 77% between 1946 and 1998. The improvements in survival rates over the past 60 years for breast, colorectal and some other cancers are extremely encouraging, as is the fall in mortality rates.
But the estimated increase in incidence of some cancers emphasises the need for further attention to be given to prevention and early diagnosis of cancer. The improvement in cancer survival, over the years, is a testament to the world class research that has resulted in earlier diagnosis and better treatments for patients.
We must not be complacent however. We need to see further improvements in survival in future as the ability to detect cancer earlier is improved and as treatments become increasingly tailored to individual patients.
Your contribution is vitally important to the success and future of Cancer Research UK. This is why I would urge you to continue to support the Broomstick Ball even though we find ourselves in very challenging times.
Put the date in your diary – Thursday, 30 October 2008! n
