Press Release

ROTARY LAUNCH A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE INSTITUTE OF CANCER RESEARCH

July 1st 2006

Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland launches today a partnership with   The Institute of Cancer Research to help raise awareness of the importance of early detection in the successful treatment of cancer. This aims to raise public awareness about cancer and its symptoms and help save lives. 

The Institute of Cancer Research, Europe’s leading cancer research centre and one of the top four in the world, conducts research into every major type of cancer.  It’s the sister organisation to The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and has an unrivalled combination of genetics, molecular biology, radiotherapy techniques and drug development.  The Institute has identified more cancer genes and has taken more cancer drugs into clinical trials than any other organisation in the world and is playing a leading international role in reducing mortality for a whole range of cancers.

Rotary Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland will be provided with a series of cancer information leaflets for distribution in clubs and communities, on the following cancer types: breast cancer, cervical cancer, childhood cancers, colon cancer, head and neck cancer, leukaemia and blood cancers, lung cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, skin cancer and melanomas, and testicular cancer.
  
President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland Peter L Offer said  “I believe that supporting The Institute of Cancer Research is an opportunity for Rotarians to give service in helping to raise awareness in their communities on the issues around cancer and the importance of early detection. ”

Professor Peter Rigby, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, said “We are recognised as world leaders in cancer research but research alone is not enough. Early detection is the key to more successful treatment. This requires an awareness of the early signs and symptoms of cancer among the general public so that patients are able to seek early diagnosis and treatment. In partnership with The Rotary we are confident that we will be able to get our messages to a much wider audience.”