Scotland’s business leaders have been honoured with a prestigious award from Cancer Research UK, recognising their exceptional commitment to the fight against cancer. The Flame of Hope Awards, which celebrate outstanding contributions to fundraising and volunteering, have highlighted the remarkable efforts of individuals and groups across the country.
The idea for the Business Beats Cancer dinner, held annually in Glasgow, was first conceived by Joanne Casey, a director at Mactaggart & Mickel, along with Yvonne Brady and Jo Milmine. This year marked the fifth anniversary of the event, which has become a cornerstone in the fight against cancer. The dinner has attracted around 300 guests each year and has raised over £350,000 to date. These funds are crucial in supporting research into gentler and more effective cancer treatments. Their efforts have now been recognised with a Flame of Hope Pioneer Award, a testament to their dedication and the impact they’ve made.
The awards were presented in a special online ceremony on October 16, replacing the usual London event hosted by Cancer Research UK’s chairman, Sir Leszek Borysiewicz. The in-person ceremony was cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Joanne Casey, who is stepping down as chair of the Business Beats Cancer board after leading it since 2016, has been instrumental in inspiring similar events across the UK, including in Edinburgh, Belfast, and Birmingham.
Joanne shared her personal connection to the cause, saying, “Covid-19 has made 2020 the toughest of years, but through it all, cancer continues to affect people of all ages. Cancer is indiscriminate. I was 22 when my father, aged 49, and brother, aged 18, lost their battles with cancer within two weeks of one another, so Cancer Research UK is very close to my heart.”
She added, “We’re fortunate in Scotland to have world-leading cancer research on our doorsteps, and I believe research is the way to save lives. We’re very humbled to receive the Flame of Hope award. While the pandemic has knocked things back, there are a lot of talented individuals on the Business Beats Cancer board, and I think together they have what it takes to build things back up in the future.”
This year’s Business Beats Cancer dinner, held at Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel in February just before lockdown, featured a poignant moment when a painting by seven-year-old Lydia Yilmaz, a leukaemia survivor, was auctioned for £10,000. Lydia, who received a Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Award, was overjoyed at the result. The evening also included a speech by Dr Seth Coffelt, a researcher into breast and ovarian cancer at the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute in Glasgow.
Cancer remains a significant challenge in Scotland, with around 32,400 people diagnosed and 16,100 losing their lives to the disease each year. The pandemic has further exacerbated the situation, causing a devastating loss of funding for cancer research. Following the cancellation of key fundraising events like Race for Life, Cancer Research UK anticipates a £160 million drop in income over the next year. As a result, the charity has had to make the difficult decision to cut £44 million in research funding.
Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said, “The Flame of Hope awards give us the opportunity to celebrate and say thank you to our enormously generous volunteers and supporters for their fantastic work. Covid-19 has slowed us down, but we will never stop. We are determined to continue our research to create better treatments for tomorrow.”
She added, “Cancer Research UK has continued to work through world wars, recessions, and other periods of major disruption. We remain as focussed as ever on beating cancer, and I want to thank everyone who has supported us through this time. Our pioneering work in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives, but that’s only possible thanks to the commitment of our supporters and volunteers.”
The Business Beats Cancer Glasgow board is among 61 individuals and groups from across the UK recognised by the Flame of Hope awards. Trophies and certificates are being sent out to recipients in place of the usual ceremony.
Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman for Scotland, said, “Every step we make towards beating cancer relies on every pound, every hour, and every person. These awards are our way of honouring incredible people like the members of the Business Beats Cancer board in Glasgow, who give their time freely to raise money for research and promote greater awareness of the disease. It’s thanks to the support of the fundraising public and our amazing army of volunteers that we can continue to make a real difference and bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”
For more information about Cancer Research UK, visit cruk.org.
