An organisation that puts its profits into advancing surgery worldwide has today, 31 January, announced that it will raise tens of thousands in 2019 to fight Scotland’s second biggest cancer killer.
For the very first time, The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) and its commercial arm, Surgeons Quarter, will collectively partner with Bowel Cancer UK to raise significant funds for the charity’s Improving Surgery, Saving Lives fundraising campaign.
Bowel cancer is a major public health problem in Scotland with 1,600 people losing their lives to the disease every year.
Embarking upon the year-long partnership, Surgeons Quarter and the RCSEd aim to raise £50,000 for the partnership.
The College and Bowel Cancer UK are raising £430,000 to create Scotland’s first Colorectal Cancer Surgical Research Chair – a position which will be filled by a surgeon who will work to save lives and reduce long-term side effects for patients post-surgery.
Jo Paulson, Fundraising Manager at Bowel Cancer UK, said:
“Bowel Cancer needn’t be such a big killer in Scotland as it is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early.
“Almost all patients with a bowel cancer diagnosis will undergo surgery, so the better we can make surgery, the more people will survive.
“We’re looking forward to working with Surgeons Quarter this year as well as continuing our work with RCSEd and are excited to see what sort of impact we can have as we all join forces.”
One in 16 men and one in 20 women will be diagnosed with bowel cancer during their lifetime.
RCSEd president, Professor Michael S Griffin said:
“Following the launch of the ‘Improving Surgery, Saving Lives’ campaign last year, the RCSEd is delighted to continue efforts in support of Bowel Cancer UK as we welcome the charity as our nominated partner for 2019.
“Throughout the College, from Fellows to Council, and members to staff, there is a common acknowledgment that more can be done to support the work of Bowel Cancer UK in ultimately reducing the number of lives the disease takes each year.
“Investing in surgical research is crucial to developing more effective and personalised life-saving treatments and minimising side-effects for everyone who has an operation for bowel cancer.”
Scott Mitchell, Managing Director of Surgeons Quarter, said:
“It’s a perfect partnership for us to support, as it links so nicely to our values of investing in surgical progression.
“We have recognised what a major, but hidden health issue bowel cancer is and want to do what we can to raise awareness of the disease.
“Due to the nature of our organisation, many of our guests at Ten Hill Place hotel are travelling surgeons who understand and experience, first hand, the severity of bowel cancer.
“So we’re confident that while our guests enjoy their stay, they'll be keen to help us in our fundraising efforts.”
Surgeons Quarter - which manages the capital’s largest independent hotel, Ten Hill Place - has worked with Bowel Cancer UK to come up with a number of different ways to raise the funds.
Over the course of 2019, Ten Hill Place will help to raise the £50,000 by asking guests if they would like to make a donation when paying at its drinks and dining restaurant or adding to their bill at the end of their stay.
As well as the efforts of Ten Hill Place customers, the wider network of RCSEd and Surgeons Quarter will endeavour to reach the £50,000 target through themed evenings, sponsored events, bake sales, dress down days, sky dives, spinathons and much more.
Surgeons Quarter promotes, sells and manages all commercial activities held within the RCSEd campus, which includes the Playfair Building. All profits support the charitable aims of the College which are education, assessment and advancement in surgery.
The public are being encouraged to follow the fundraising progress and donate here.