Saqib Bhatti, President of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), has announced that Prostate Cancer UK will be his charity of the year.
The national charity was established in 1996 by Professor Jonathan Waxman, and was the first national organisation for prostate cancer in the UK.
Leading the fight against prostate cancer, the charity fund ground-breaking research, drive improvements in treatment, and campaign for men with prostate cancer to receive the best care, raising public and political awareness of the disease which is the most common cancer in men.
Over the last 20 years, Prostate Cancer UK has invested more than £37 million into prostate cancer medical research and continues to provide award-winning support for men and families.
In the UK, 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime, but for black men the risk is doubled – 1 in 4.
Current research suggests that a man dies from prostate cancer every 45 minutes, and by 2030 prostate cancer is set to become the most common cancer in the UK.
Saqib was keen to support Prostate Cancer UK and raise awareness of the disease, in support of two fellow business colleagues who have been affected by the disease.
David Waller, Chairman of GBCC, and Greg Lowson, Partner at GBCC Patron Pinsent Masons, have both successfully fought prostate cancer in the last year and are now in remission.
Saqib said: “There are so many important causes and so many good people and charities doing great work across the region.
“We, at the Chamber, are a family.
“When two of our own were diagnosed, we reached out to Prostate Cancer UK. The fact that this kills one man every 45 minutes shows the magnitude of the problem.
“I am determined to do everything we can to raise awareness and raise funds for medical research so we can beat this.”
Saqib met with Executive Director of engagement, Tracey Pritchard, and Head of Community Fundraising, Gabriella Bailey, from Prostate Cancer UK, alongside Paul Faulkner, Chief Executive at the Chamber, to confirm the partnership and membership of the GBCC.
Tracey said: “Prostate Cancer UK is really grateful for the opportunity to join forces with the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce to raise funds and awareness of the disease across this crucial business community.
“Nearly 7,500 men in Greater Birmingham are living with or after prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men.
“Right now, we’re funding innovative research in Birmingham. Being able to combine our fundraising and awareness activity with the GBCC members’ events programme will help us to stop prostate cancer being a killer amongst men and families in the area.”
Paul Faulkner said: “We are delighted to welcome Prostate Cancer UK on board as members, and support them as our President’s charity of the year.
“The Chamber team has unfortunately been exposed to this disease, which has affected the lives of our colleagues, and friends, Greg Lowson and David Waller.
“Supporting this charity is of upmost importance to Saqib, the Chamber team and I, and we are looking forward to supporting this great cause that does a tremendous amount of work for men and the families affected by prostate cancer.”
