Owen Sharp, Chief Executive at The Prostate Cancer Charity, is
to join High Commissioners from Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad
and Tobago to raise awareness of prostate cancer at an annual
fundraising ball in Milton Keynes.
The ball, which is being organised by Friends of the Caribbean,
will take place at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Milton Keynes on
Saturday 16 July to raise funds for The Prostate Cancer Charity, as
well as awareness of the disease amongst the Caribbean community in
Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.
Joining Owen at the event be will Jamaican High Commissioner, HE
Anthony S Johnson, Saint Lucian High Commissioner, HE Eldridge
Stephens OBE, the Patron of Friends of the Caribbean, and the High
Commissioner for Trinidad and Tabago, HE Garvin Edward Timothy
Nicholas. Mr Iqbal Anjum, a consultant urologist at Milton Keynes
NHS Trust Hospital, will be the keynote speaker at the dinner.
Friends of the Caribbean, who organise a fundraising ball
annually, chose to support The Prostate Cancer Charity this year
after the organisation's Chairman, Ally Clarke, was diagnosed with
prostate cancer in January 2010. He has been receiving treatment
since then, and has just completed a course of radiotherapy to
treat the disease.
Speaking about the need to raise awareness of prostate cancer,
Ally says: "I'm on a mission to get the message out there about
prostate cancer. Despite the fact that African Caribbean men are
three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than their white
counterparts, there is a serious lack of awareness. There's lots of
misunderstanding and misinformation in the Caribbean community, so
I want to do what I can to help men feel in control about their
health. I got tested and with treatment I am now going to be
fine.
"The fundraising ball is the perfect setting to combine an
evening of great food and entertainment with a more serious message
about prostate cancer for men and their partners. I am delighted
that Owen will join us on the night. The Prostate Cancer Charity is
doing some great things to get the message out there, especially in
the Caribbean Community."
Owen Sharp, Chief Executive at The Prostate Cancer Charity,
added: "I had the pleasure of meeting Ally a couple of weeks ago,
and was impressed with his passion and determination to spread the
word to other men. I am honoured to be attending the event, and to
be able to address the guests. Raising awareness in the African
Caribbean community is one of the key strategic goals of the
Charity, and we are serious about breaking down lingering myths and
encouraging men to avail themselves of the facts. I hope as many
people come along as possible."
The evening will begin with a cocktail reception, where guests
will be entertained by a steel band before sitting down to enjoy a
three course Caribbean meal. Cabaret for the evening will be
provided by Lady Saxophonist Anna Brookes and international reggae
star Peter Hunningale.
Tickets for the event are £60 per head and can be purchased by
emailing info@friendsofthecaribbean.co.uk
or by calling Ally on 07831 867875.