www.crocustrust.co.uk - August 30, 2001
found by Chris Williams As the UK's second biggest cancer killer, bowel cancer touches the lives of many people, a large proportion of whom have been quite unaware of the disease until it strikes close to home. This was the case for Crocus Trust president Chris de Burgh, one of the world's best-known singer songwriters. Four years ago Chris lost his aunt Rosemary to colorectal cancer and immediately realised the amount of ignorance surrounding this dismal disease. Chris explains: "Until my aunt was diagnosed I was not particularly aware of bowel cancer and I immediately saw that there was a need to highlight the true facts surrounding this illness, the most important being that early diagnosis saves lives. "Since becoming involved I have seen at first hand the importance of being able to provide expert diagnostic facilities, raise awareness and provide up to date information. "When I was asked to become president of The Crocus Trust I said yes partly because of my own family's experience of bowel cancer, partly because I was flattered to be asked and lastly because this is a highly avoidable disease and if caught in the early stages has a 90% success rate. By realising our objectives, we can make a real difference to ordinary people." Chris believes that the work that The Crocus Trust is undertaking is of particular value to those people who are frightened and confused as well as those who might want further information following their own diagnosis. He adds: "The whole service is really immensely valuable to everyone. Vital in a time when doctors simply don't have enough time or resources. Colonoscopy is a highly skilled procedure and resources are urgently needed for the proper training." Chris is a committed supporter of The Crocus Trust and regularly attends fundraising events. Most recently he gave a special concert at Dinner in the Fast Lane and has generously provided a lot for the Chivas 200 online charity auction, which offers one lucky bidder the chance to sing a song with one of the world's most popular performers. Adds Chris: "My message to everyone reading this is simple. Early diagnosis saves lives. I don't think we can repeat this phrase enough. We all have mouths and we all have bottoms, we should all have greater awareness of our body and our bodily functions, after all it's completely normal."