A barbecue lunch will take place at the home of Peter and Julia Vanderpump on Sunday (July 28) to celebrate the achievements of the Lung Cancer Fund as it closes.
After 22 years of fundraising the Lung Cancer Fund is closing down as the committee members wish to retire.
However, during this time an amazing sum of more than £500,000 has been raised.
The lunch at 1 Bradda Glen Close, Port Erin, celebrates this great achievement and will acknowledge the work of committee members and supporters, both the past and present.
The Lung Cancer Fund was founded in 1990 by Professor Ray Donnelly, FRCS, a thoracic surgeon working in Liverpool, to raise awareness of the problem of lung cancer, to promote an intensive research programme into the causes, prevention and management of the disease, to provide support for patients and their families during the course of their illness and to encourage people not to smoke, especially children.
1991 saw the first support group formed in the island with Peter Vanderpump as the chairman and Lieutenant Governor Sir Laurence Jones and Lady Jones becoming patrons. Tragically Sir Laurence lost his life to lung cancer at the very end of his term of office here.
During 1993, much loved UK entertainer Roy Castle was diagnosed with lung cancer. Roy agreed to give his name to a special appeal for the Lung Cancer Fund to raise £12 million to build, equip and run the centre. Roy Castle spent much of the last year of his life helping to raise millions of pounds for the appeal.
Sadly Roy died in September 1994 and his heroic contribution was recognised by changing the name of the charity to The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.
Funds raised in the island have helped to fund research, aided the discouragement of smoking, and have raised awareness of the importance of an early diagnosis.
Lots of support has also been given to those living with lung cancer.
In the UK, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in men, with more than 23,000 new cases diagnosed in 2010. More than 18,500 women were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010, making it the third most common cancer in women.
Research is making progress on early lung cancer detection and means of identifying at an early stage those who are at risk of developing the disease.
If anyone in the island wishes to fund raise for lung cancer call Mr Vanderpump on 832567.