Montgomerie Launches GBP5m Appeal Mother’s Lung Cancer Death Inspired Golfer to Create Centre in Her Name

By ALISON CHIESA

COLIN Montgomerie told yesterday how his mother’s death from cancer inspired him to create a unique centre in her memory.

The Elizabeth Montgomerie Centre will be the UK’s only centre of excellence for lung cancer sufferers and the only one of its kind in Europe.

The Scottish golfer was in Glasgow – which has one of the worst incidences of lung cancer in the world – to launch the GBP5.2m fundraising appeal for the facility.

Named after his mother, who died from the disease in 1991, the centre – which is a joint venture with The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation – will provide information, and support for patients and carers.

It will also offer training for lung cancer specialists, a UKwide advice line for sufferers and their carers, and house research into all aspects of patient care. Although based in Glasgow, it will cater for sufferers, carers and health professionals from across the UK.

Speaking at the launch in the city chambers, the sportsman said the project was very close to his heart.

“The reason my mum is not here today is because the cancer was not caught early enough. Nowadays, with advances in research, if diseases are caught early enough you have more of a chance. If this facility had been available when my mother was here, who knows what might have happened. I always felt support wasn’t there at the time.”

Calling his participation in the project an “honour” for himself and his father, James, 78, Montgomerie added: “It will be a great honour to have the centre named after my mother – not just because she was my mother, but because she was my father’s wife. We’re trying to raise GBP5.2m initially and that doesn’t just spring up. It is a big ask, but I have championed this cause with personal monies as well.”

Montgomerie was joined at the launch by Roy Castle Foundation founder and president, Professor Ray Donnelly.

Glasgow-born Mr Donnelly said: “This is an historic day for lung cancer patients. This facility is desperately needed and we are delighted to have Colin’s support. His profile will be a significant contribution in helping lung cancer patients.”

Lord Provost Robert Winter said he was honoured to host the launch, and that the golfer’s actions spoke volumes about his love for his mother.

Several properties are being considered for the project and the aim is to start renovating a building next year.

LINKS roycastle. org colinmontgomerie. com/ Pages/cmfoundation. html

Statistics

In Scotland, after nonmelanoma skin cancer, lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, and the second most common in women. It is the most common cause of death from cancer in both sexes.

*Survival from lung cancer is poor with less than 10per cent of patients still alive five years after diagnosis.

*2400 men and 1950 women are diagnosed with lung cancer in Scotland every year.

*An estimated one in 11 men, and one in 17 women develop lung cancer during their lifetime.

*Historically, Scotland has had one of the highest rates of lung cancer in the world. However, mortality rates among men are now higher in some Eastern European countries, and rates in Danish women are approaching those of Scottish women.

*Tobacco smoking is the main risk factor for lung cancer, accounting for an estimated 80-90per cent of cases in developed countries. Other risk factors include asbestos, ionising radiation (including domestic exposure to radon), and various chemicals encountered in occupational settings.

Symptoms:

The key symptom of lung cancer is a persistent cough that gradually gets worse.

Other symptoms include: Shortness of breath; chest pain; coughing blood; loss of appetite, weight loss and general fatigue.

Originally published by Newsquest Media Group.

(c) 2007 Herald, The; Glasgow (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.