Thirty years of Clatterbridge Cancer Charity deserved a proper celebration, and our 30th Birthday Ball delivered in every way. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our guests and supporters, the evening raised more than £240,000 to drive forward research and help patient care for people with cancer in Cheshire and Merseyside.
Around 400 guests packed out the Rum Warehouse at Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel for the evening. Among them were Sir Kenny Dalglish, Lady Marina Dalglish and Sam Quek, all there to help us mark this milestone.
Comedy star John Bishop was our host, bringing warmth and humour to the stage throughout the night. He was joined by his friend and local media personality Pete Price, who led the room through a lively game of hits and misses.
The mood changed when we shared the story of Jackie, a patient whose experience reminded everyone why they were there.
Jackie was diagnosed with a rare ocular cancer that had spread from her eye to her lungs and liver, and she was given a very poor prognosis. After researching her options, she was determined to join a clinical trial led by Professor Joe Sacco in Liverpool.
Over the last 12 months, Jackie has been a patient in our clinical trials unit, receiving an experimental treatment under Prof Sacco’s expert guidance. It has allowed her to live a full life. She was at her daughter’s wedding and present at the birth of her granddaughter, Phoebe, last year.
Jackie said: “No matter what happens I know I have had the best treatment I could possibly have received. I was told I had a year to live at best. Well, I am past my sell by date, and I have renewed hope for the future.”
Jackie’s story shows exactly what research can achieve. Clatterbridge Cancer Charity has pledged £5 million over five years to support research into new treatments, and the money raised at the ball will help more patients benefit from that work.
Auctioneer Addison Gelpey led bidders through a series of impressive prizes, including glamorous holiday destinations, football hospitality and a unique piece of artwork. He also invited guests to pledge donations, boosting the total even further.
Our Chief Executive, Clare White, described the final figure as “phenomenal”. She said: “Every year we are overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of our guests at the ball and this year was no different. I want to say thank you to Jackie and Darren for allowing us to share their story and a huge thank you to all involved in sponsoring, donating and organising the event.”
John Bishop said: “I was delighted to be back home in Liverpool to help the Charity raise such an incredible amount of money on the night. I loved meeting Jackie and being part of such a special night. Thank you to everyone who helped or donated in some way. You are really helping improve the lives of cancer patients and should be very proud.”
During the evening, Cathy Frost presented Marina Dalglish with the Chair’s Award for Outstanding Contribution, recognising her huge support for the Charity over several years.
Cathy said: “I would like to thank Marina for her remarkable dedication to Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. It was an honour to present the Chair’s Award to her. She represents the very best of our supporters and it was fitting that on a wonderful night to mark the 30th anniversary of the Charity that we celebrated her contribution. The Ball was an example of what makes our Charity and its supporters so important to people with cancer in our region, people coming together to make a real difference to those who need it most.”
We are enormously grateful to the sponsors of the 30th Birthday Ball: DELL Technologies and CDW, The Johnson Foundation, Rathbones, and A&B Engineering. Their support made the night possible.
Every pound raised at the ball goes towards the latest research, new technology, innovations in care and the most positive experience for patients at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, across its sites in Liverpool, Wirral and Aintree and a network of clinics across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Want to help us keep making a difference? Find out more about Clatterbridge Cancer Charity and how to support our work through fundraising on our website.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, gave, bid, sponsored and cheered. Here’s to the next 30 years.
