Lord Darzi of Denham appointed Patron of Barrett's Oesophagus Campaign
News release and photo For immediate use
Wednesday 20 April 2011
Lord Darzi of Denham appointed Patron of
Barrett’s Oesophagus Campaign
Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham PC, KBE, has agreed to become a Patron of Barrett’s Oesophagus Campaign – the national charity dedicated to the prevention of cancer from Barrett’s Oesophagus and the support of people living with the condition.
As a Patron for Barrett’s Oesophagus Campaign Lord Darzi will support the charity’s work to raise awareness and support research into Barrett’s Oesophagus, a condition affecting the lining of the oesophagus that can, over time, lead to oesophageal cancer. As many as one in ten people in the UK with a history of heartburn are estimated to have Barrett’s Oesophagus. The charity is currently developing a joint campaign with partners to raise awareness of the condition.
Lord Darzi holds the Paul Hamlyn Chair of Surgery at Imperial College London and the Chair of Surgery at the Institute of Cancer Research. He was knighted for his services in medicine and surgery in 2002 and was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health from June 2007 to July 2009. He is well known for his 2008 report High Quality Care for All: NHS Next Stage Review which set out wide-ranging plans to raise the quality and effectiveness of healthcare in the UK.
Lord Darzi says: “I am looking forward to working with Barrett’s Oesophagus Campaign. We urgently need to raise awareness of the condition. If detected early Barrett’s Oesophagus can be treated before it reaches a cancerous stage.
“The charity is doing sterling work in raising awareness of this condition. I am delighted to give my support to the organisation as it develops and expands its efforts to make the general public more aware of the need for early diagnosis of Barrett’s Oesophagus and its complications.”
Commenting on the appointment of Lord Darzi, Dr Paul Salmon, Chair of Trustees of Barrett’s Oesophagus Campaign, says: “We are delighted to welcome Lord Darzi as our new Patron. A true pioneer, his untiring research into minimally invasive surgery and visionary plans for the future of health services have been recognised internationally. His support will be invaluable for the charity as it moves forward with urgent work to inform the public of the risks of untreated Barrett’s Oesophagus.”
Barrett’s Oesophagus Campaign was established as a national charity in 1999. The charity supports the maintenance of the largest database of cases of Barrett’s Oesophagus in the world, called the UK Barrett’s Oesophagus Registry (UKBOR), in addition to its work to raise awareness and support research into the condition. For more information about Barrett’s Oesophagus Campaign please visit www.barrettscampaign.org.uk.
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For media enquiries contact:
Patricia Orr: T. 020 7240 4646 M. 07889 140 139 E.
pa*@th***********.uk
Alex Goldup: T. 020 7240 4646 M. 07791 765 915 E.
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Notes to Editors
An official biography of Lord Darzi is available. Please contact Patricia Orr or Alex Goldup using the details above to request this.
Dr Paul Salmon, Chair of Trustees of Barrett’s Oesophagus Campaign, is available for interview. Please contact Patricia Orr or Alex Goldup using the details above to arrange an interview.
The Barrett’s Oesophagus Campaign was established in 1999 as a national charity with the principal aims of:
· securing the long term future of The UK National Barrett’s Oesophagus Registry (UKBOR) http://www.barrettscampaign.org.uk/registry.html
· establishing a patient support group for Barrett’s sufferers and their families http://www.barrettscampaign.org.uk/support.html#support
· funding research projects into the causes, prevention and treatment of
Barrett’s Oesophagus and oesophageal cancer
For more information about Barrett’s Oesophagus Campaign visit: www.barrettscampaign.org.uk. Reg. charity number 1077633