10th anniversary

05 May 2015
Volume 31 · Issue 2

On May 3, the Mouth Cancer Foundation, one of the UK’s leading mouth cancer charities celebrated its 10th anniversary.

“It has been a great privilege for our small charity to have helped so many patients, carers and survivors through their mouth cancer ordeal and play an important part in raising awareness of mouth cancer.  We have done much in 10 years but there is much more that needs to be done.”

Founder, Dr Vinod Joshi

The charity started as a website to help patients going through the crisis of cancer by providing information about their illness and much needed support through its online community.  This role has grown and the charity is now dedicated to the relief of sickness as well as promotion of good health among those suffering or at risk of mouth, throat and other head and neck cancers.  It is playing a vital role in increasing the publics’ awareness of these debilitating mouth cancers and the importance of early detection of their signs and symptoms.

As part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, the Mouth Cancer Foundation has embarked on three major initiatives:

Bite Back at Mouth Cancer is a brand new self-check examination, which will launch later this year.  The initiative, a simple mouth cancer check which can be carried out in a matter of minutes and will save lives and encourage us all to examine our own mouth, head and neck area at least once a month. It will be led by Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies Dr Dawn Harper and will launch later this year.

A fundraising online auction for a fantastic three day break on board a mega yacht in Mallorca.  The White Star Charter shipping company has kindly donated a luxury three day charter for 11 people on board the 86ft luxury yacht ‘The Lady Tatiana of London’ or ‘Lady Alehna of London’ based in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Bidding for this item will start at 09:00a.m and finishes on Saturday, September 19, 2015. The starting price is £4,000 and the market value of the package is in excess of £16,000.  The funds raised will help to fund the Foundation’s ongoing activities.    For full details visit http://www.mouthcancerfoundation.org/get-involved/white-yacht-charter-fundraiser

Mouth Cancer 10KM Awareness Walk.  The charity’s hugely popular annual walking event will return this year on Saturday, September 19, at 12 noon in London’s Hyde Park.  The charity hopes to make this event even bigger and it’s most successful ever to raise much awareness of mouth cancer.  To take part and for full details visit www.mouthcancerwalk.org

Dr Joshi continues, “We reach our 10th birthday with mixed emotions. I am continuously impressed by the many courageous people who have, despite their own problems, support and inspire others through our online support community. This is so satisfying to see. Depressingly, the cases of mouth cancer have not decreased and the need for support of those diagnosed, and their families, remains. Hopefully, through our various initiatives we will raise even greater awareness, save lives and reduce suffering.”

For more information abouttheMouth Cancer Foundation, please visit www.mouthcancerfoundation.org