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THOUSAND WAYS TO FIGHT BOWEL CANCER
JOIN Honor Blackman in supporting CCC's '1000 Get Togethers' and raise money to help fight the UK's second biggest cancer killer.
Would you believe that organising a get together with friends could help save lives from bowel cancer? Well it can, and Colon Cancer Concern (CCC), a leading bowel cancer charity in the UK, is using Bowel Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) this April to launch a '1000 Get Togethers'
to show you how.
Honor Blackman, who is a long-term celebrity supporter of the charity, is backing the campaign and cannot wait to organise a get together herself. Honor says:-
"Taking part in the '1000 Get Togethers' is a perfect way of meeting up with friends and raising money for CCC's important work. It's good fun for a good cause."
There were 2,533 cases of bowel cancer reported in the North West region in 2000 (local cancer registry statistics), with 1,155 deaths from the disease in the same year:- illustrating the importance of raising vital funds.
The aim of the initiative is to bring friends, family and colleagues together. You could put on a coffee morning or wine tasting evening, or organise a salsa dancing night. For those with a daredevil streak, how about a sky dive? CCC's fundraising team has plenty of ideas to help you decide.
All the charity is asking is that supporters commit to raising a minimum of £50 each, which will go towards CCC's important work, whether it be our awareness campaigns, nurse education programmes or towards the running of our nurse-led Infoline, for example.
Tim Barnes, a Police Constable from Dorset, is also supporting the '1000 Get Togethers' campaign by holding a line dancing evening with friends during April. Tim was diagnosed with bowel cancer in the summer of 2002. He says:- "Reacting early and being upfront about bowel cancer certainly saved my life. I'm now all clear from the disease, but I dread to think what would have happened if I had ignored my symptoms. I've worked closely with CCC in recent months and have seen how vital their work is in the fight against bowel cancer. That's why I'm supporting the charity by holding a line dancing evening with friends. I know how important the money I raise is for CCC, every single penny, and that it will be put to good use. Whether it's used for an awareness campaign or in helping to pay for a nurse for a day on the Infoline - every little bit counts."
So, like Tim Barnes, why not hold a get together yourself and help raise funds for CCC.
Every year over 35,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK and about 16,000 of this number will die. It is a disease that is often ignored and misunderstood; and is claiming a life every half an hour. However, with your help, we can seek to reduce these figures. Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, which started life as National Bowel Cancer Day in 1997, runs from Friday, 1 April until Saturday, 30 April, providing plenty of time and opportunity to take part.
How to join in:-
To join CCC's 1000 Get Togethers,
contact Emma or Terry at CCC on 020 7381 9711.
Email
fundraising@coloncancer.org.uk.
Alternatively, write to the fundraising team at:- CCC, 7 Rickett Street, London, SW6 1RU.
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BASE RATE DECISION PREVENTS MORE PEOPLE FALLING INTO SEVERE FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES
DEBIT Free Direct has welcomed the Bank of England's decision not to increase the base rate. The independent company that provides free impartial and professional advice to people with financial difficulties says that up to 3 million people admit to having debt problems. However, it believes that the true figure is much higher than this and that any increase in the base rate would have exacerbated the problem.
The company says that up to 2.6 million people use 50% or more of their post tax monthly income to repay their debts - including mortgages, credit, debit and store cards, overdrafts and loans. Potentially, a further 4 million people see between 31% and 50% of their post tax monthly income consumed by their debts each month.
Andrew Redmond, Chief Executive, Debt Free Direct said:- "Any increase in the base rate would have pushed many more people into financial difficulties. However, rather than rely on the Bank of England not to increase rates, people with debt problems need to take proactive steps to solve these and reduce the amount of their income that is swallowed up by debt."
Debt Free Direct offers the following advice to people who are finding it difficult to make repayments on their debts:-
· Don't ignore the problem. One of the biggest challenges is to face up to the problem and do something about it. Do not ignore the problem until it's too late
· Draw up a list of your debts and prioritise them. Top priority should be given to your mortgage or rent payments because otherwise you could face losing your home
· If you have a number of creditors and are finding it difficult to make your repayments, take professional advice from a debt advisory service like Debt Free Direct. They can help you find the best way to get your debt back under control.
· Are you missing out on any State benefits that you are entitled to? Well over £1billion worth of benefits goes unclaimed every year
· Look for ways to reduce your expenditure:- Could you cut back on eating out or shopping, for example?
· Think twice before taking on more debt, unless it's to pay off existing debt at a lower rate of interest. Ill advised borrowing can often makes the situation worse. Consolidation loans and debt management programmes are best for only a small proportion of people. Other solutions are available which may be more appropriate
Debt Free Direct has a commitment to providing free, independent advice to every over-indebted consumer who calls seeking help. The company has developed a sophisticated computer model which gives advice on how to best deal with debt. Following the right advice, monthly debt repayments can be reduced to an affordable level.
For free advice, please call 08000 83 67 51.
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