Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group
Newsletter July 2018
HUGH GUNN
With great sadness we report that Hugh Gunn lost his battle with prostate cancer in June. Hugh, an active member of the support group national umbrella group Tackle and for many years their Newsletter editor, was well known to many of us for his help and support for OPCSG, as well as being a very good friend. He led the fight to get drugs such as abiraterone recognised by NICE. It's hard to overestimate the help Hugh gave to our committee and our members. He battled his own illness successfully much longer than the medics predicted, and he was always willing to take referrals and share his experience with other affected men. He was a fine example of selflessness to us all.
OPCSG SUPPORTS TWO LOCAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INITIATIVES LINKED TO PROSTATE CANCER
In recognition of our successful fundraising and some recent generous donations, your Committee decided that we were in a position to help two local research and development projects which will be of direct benefit to prostate cancer patients and therefore OPCSG members. These donations were made via UCare, an organisation based at the Churchill which supports urology care. The letter of thanks from Val Berry, Senior Executive of UCare, which explains about the funding project for a robotic simulator and the research into how prostate cancer spreads from the prostate to the bones, is attached to this Newsletter. OPCSG has been able to donate £2000 to each of these projects. Our supporters can be proud that we manage not only to expand our own activities and offer support to more men and their families, but that OPCSG is also able to contribute to Oxford-based projects of national importance.
VISIT TO THE RUTHERFORD CANCER CENTRE THAMES VALLEY, MONDAY 23 JULY
20 members of OPCSG have chosen to visit the Rutherford Centre at Shinfield, near Reading, described in Prof. Karol Sikora’s talk to the group in April. The visit is on Monday 23 July, and transport will be provided by the Rutherford to and from Redbridge Park and Ride. I hope to report in the next Newsletter.
RIVER CRUISE AND CASSINGTON BIKE NIGHT - REPORTS
In brilliant sunshine OPCSG had a busy and successful weekend on 24 and 25 June. On Sunday about 90 members joined the annual river cruise on a Salters steamer, this year from Donnington Bridge downstream through two locks to Nuneham Courtenay and back, accompanied by the jazz trio Mike, Dave and Colin, who have become firm friends of the group. Cream teas were enjoyed, and the keen dancers got going towards the end. A great day out.
The following day OPCSG erected the gazebo at Cassington Bike Night. Around 10,000 bikers attended this amazing event. Courtesy of a friend of OPCSG in Cassington, we staffed a car park and took £583 in donations to the group, as well as advising dozens of men on prostate issues. Big thanks to the ten volunteers who helped out in the heat.
NEW MPMRI BIOPSY SCANNER PARTLY FUNDED BY OPCSG
After a long period of fundraising, research and procurement, the Urology Department at the Churchill has recently taken delivery of a new mpMRI scanner which it is now using in certain cases for fusion biopsy. ‘Fusion’ because the equipment allows the operator to overlay a previous MRI scan on to a live picture of the patient’s prostate while performing the biopsy, thereby improving accuracy and making it possible to take biopsy samples from areas more difficult to reach. OPCSG paid for the specialist trolley which is used in conjunction with the scanner.
On 27 June the equipment was demonstrated to the chief donors: Oxford University Hospitals Charitable Trust, UCare, and OPCSG, in the presence of Maureen Comley (Procurement Department, OUH NHS Trust), Val Berry (UCare), John Grundy (Chairman, OPCSG) and Consultant Urologist Simon Brewster, as Simon demonstrated the expensive technology.
OPCSG would be very interested to hear from members who may have a biopsy by this method, to hear their feedback on the process and the outcome for them.
CAN YOU HELP AT AN EVENT?
OPCSG will be attending the following events this summer, with a gazebo, leaflets and volunteers to talk to the passing public. If you would like a good day out and the chance to spread our message, please contact the relevant organiser and tell him when you can help –
Saturday 21 July – Witney Steam Fair – Steve Tuck – steve.tuck@mail.com, 01865 880306
Monday 27 August – Uffington White Horse Show – John Goldsmith john.goldsmith43@outlook.com, 01865 580152.
FUTURE MEETINGS at 6.30 for 7.00 p.m., Oxford Golf Club
10 September: Mr Steve Foley, consultant, Reading, on incontinence treatments
29 October: Mark Hunter (OPCSG member) on his life as a lighthouse keeper. NB PLEASE NOTE CHANGED DATE FOR THIS MEETING.
If you no longer wish to receive this Newsletter please let me know on johngrundy191@gmail.com or 01865 730110. For news updates keep an eye on our website at www.opcsg.org.
John Grundy
Chairman, OPCSG
We are still looking for someone who might help with secretarial tasks. Is that you? If so, please get in touch.