Thread: Norwich man's cancer charity dream moves a step closer

From Evening News 24:

Norwich man's cancer charity dream moves a step closer

A prostate cancer survivor's dream to launch a new charity
raising awareness about male cancers has moved a step closer
after sponsors came forward to help cover the cost of staging a
concert to raise funds for the cause.

As the Evening News reported earlier this month, prostate cancer
survivor Mel Lacey vowed to start a charity aimed exclusively at
male cancers after winning his personal battle against the
disease.

Mr Lacey, a freelance media solutions consultant, wanted to
launch a Blue Ribbon Foundation for men to emulate the fantastic work the Pink Ribbon Foundation had done for women in their battle against cancer.

But the 61-year-old needs between £5,000 and £10,000 to get the charity off the ground and had planned to put on a fundraising concert at the University of East Anglia in April next year.

And while he already had two bands lined up for the event he needed someone to fund the hire of the venue, which had been provisionally booked for April 16.

Norwich-based insurance brokers Smith and Pinching have since agreed to pay for the venue, which means that the concert can now go ahead as planned - with all the money raised going to the charity.

Mr Lacey, a father-of-two and grandfather-of-one said he was “absolutely thrilled” about the news. He said: “This means that every penny from the ticket sales will go straight into the collecting pot for the charity.

“It's superb because the charity is what this is all about and this means launching a Blue Ribbon Foundation, to be run with and by the existing Pink Ribbon Foundation, to raise the profile of male cancers will be realised.

“It's a subject that lots of people shy away from, but I want us chaps to face up to it.”

David Hughff, managing director of the Prince of Wales Road-based insurance firm, said: “S&P are very happy to help with the local launch of another worthy cause.”

Mr Lacey was one of nearly 22,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in this country when he was given the shattering news late last year.

He had no symptoms, but asked his GP for a PSA (prostate specific antigens) test because his friend had the disease and told him he wished the symptoms had been caught earlier. The test pointed to a problem and Mr Lacey was referred to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where the cancer was diagnosed and treated.

The cost of printing posters and tickets for the event is being met by one of the biggest car-owners clubs in the country, www.C4owners.org

Anyone interested in supporting the Blue Ribbon Foundation should contact Mr Lacey at mel.lacey@talktalk.net

Have you battled back from cancer? Call reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772436 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk