The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation was started in 1990 by Professor Ray Donnelly MBE, a thoracic surgeon, with the key mission of understanding the development of the disease, as well as how to prevent and eventually eliminate lung cancer completely.
When beloved children’s TV presenter Roy Castle was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1992, his diagnosis – despite being a lifelong non-smoker – shocked the nation. Roy underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy after being given just six months to live, but went into remission later that year. However, in November 1993, Roy sadly confirmed that his lung cancer had returned. This was when Professor Ray Donnelly MBE approached Roy, asking for his help to build the first international research facility for lung cancer. This is where Roy’s involvement in the charity first started, leading to the eventual renaming to the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.
The Medicash Foundation’s donation of £4,000 helped support the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation as it rolled out its ‘Let’s Talk Lung Cancer’ community engagement programme in Merseyside.
These events were held in areas of Merseyside with high smoking rates, particularly in communities where lung cancer incidence and risk are greatest. They took place in areas with large footfall including shopping centres, local high streets and supermarkets.
The aim of the initiative was to raise awareness of lung cancer, particularly its main symptoms. It also provided useful information and advice to those experiencing these symptoms and promoted the NHS lung health screening programme to those eligible.
At each event, the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation team engaged with approximately 70–100 people, with almost half aged between 50-60 and 40% aged over 60 – the highest risk age group for developing lung cancer.
The team were able to offer advice and support, and at every event found that many of those they spoke with had received a letter to attend a lung cancer screening – and decided not to attend because they were too scared.
Paula Chadwick, Chief Executive of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation said, “The reaction we have had from those we engaged with emphasises the importance of initiatives like ‘Let’s Talk Lung Cancer’. By providing support and information, we are arming the public with more knowledge about lung cancer, empowering them to take their health into their own hands. The donation from The Medicash Foundation has allowed us to carry on this important work, and we are extremely grateful.”
Andy Abernethy, Head of Marketing at Medicash said, “We’re delighted to support the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation with their ‘Let’s Talk Lung Cancer’ campaign. This campaign provides vital information about lung cancer to the general public and I am extremely proud that The Medicash Foundation is helping to spread this important message.”