Formed in 1996 by former testicular cancer patient,
Colin Osborne, Orchid is the only UK registered cancer charity to focus entirely on the male-specific cancers;
prostate,
penile and
testicular. We exist to save lives and suffering caused by these diseases by funding medical research and
promoting awareness about them.
We raise voluntary funds which enable us to continue funding pioneering research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these dreadful diseases and improve education about them so that symptoms can be recognised and medical attention sought early; helping doctors to find cancers at an early stage when treatment is easier. Men should not die because of ignorance or embarrassment.
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer for men aged 15-45; each year around 2,000 young men are diagnosed and face the emotional and physical trauma of fighting this disease.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK with around 35,000 cases diagnosed and 10,000 deaths each year; this equates to one man dying every hour.
Penile cancer ffects around 400 men each year; normally over the age of 60. Sadly one in four patients does not survive.
Behind each statistic is a man; a father, son, brother, grandfather and friend, and behind each man there are family and friends who are affected by these uniquely men’s cancers.
Martin Preuss (1952-2007)
Martin Preuss was a top man. Martin did a 100 mile walk in 3 days in aid of NSPCC in 2004. This was quite some challenge and Martin was up the front inspirational as ever. Many FART members walked with Martin. Quite soon afterwards Martin became ill with a very aggressive prostate cancer and tragically died in 2007. Martin would have been up for many of the challenges that FART have/will be doing. We raise money for ORCHID in his and others memory.
A FART is born-why FART?
Mission
To raise money for charity and do a series of challenges and sponsored events.
Background
Previous challenges have raised considerable sums for charity. Money has been raised for a number of different charities. Individual collection of money can be difficult with cash, cheques etc often being given to individuals and the personal cheques given to charity. It can be difficult to keep track. F.A.R.T. provides an overall focus for collection of money and distribution to charity in a single yearly sum.
The Father Abraham name was born after a successful summit of Kilimanjaro 2008. In the bar afterwards the group performed the “Father Abraham had Seven Sons song” led by Rubber Johnnys (Robbie) and the usual bar tray. A complaint from a twit in the bar led to a minor affray. Thereafter the poor sad chap wished he hadn’t opened his mush as Father Abraham was sung and mentioned to exhaustion. The poor chap will never know the debt that charities throughout the world may owe him!!
After well over a year we organised a reunion of a nautical nature. 9 out of the original 13 made it on a warm, showery evening. Chris took "Mandu" his fish killing Kat and I took me yacht "Euphoria" for a bit of comfort for the boys.
