Basingstoke ObserverSINCE losing her husband John to oesophageal cancer in 2018 Chrissy Gorham has been a fantastic ambassador, fundraiser and supporter to Heartburn Cancer UK (HCUK), a national charity based in Basingstoke.
Earlier this year HCUK nominated Chrissy for the honour of being selected as a Baton Bearer for the Queen’s Baton Relay at the upcoming Commonwealth Games, Birmingham 2022, with the opening ceremony on 28 July.
HCUK’s Operations Manager Fiona Labrooy shared: “When the opportunity came to nominate someone to carry the baton, with her love of sport, Chrissy was the obvious choice. Chrissy is a keen runner with 300 marathons under her belt, and we can’t thank Chrissy enough for her support.”
The Southeast procession including Chrissy is happening on Wednesday 6 July in Southampton and Chrissy’s segment starts at 16:47 from 51 Above Bar Street and will finish at 10 Bargate Street.
Chrissy commented: “I’m delighted to have been nominated and selected for this honour. HCUK are a charity close to my heart and I would urge anyone with persistent heartburn symptoms for more than three weeks to get them checked out. It could give you peace of mind or if caught early oesophageal cancer is very easily treated.”
Despite medical advances, the UK still has the highest levels of oesophageal cancer in the world. Every year some 8,000 people die in the UK from the disease – 1 a day in Hampshire. It is also the 4th biggest cause of cancer deaths among males.
Professor and Surgeon Tim Underwood from University Hospital Southampton who is also a Trustee of HCUK stresses that: “If caught early, the disease is curable. If you regularly take over the counter treatments for persistent reflux, a trip to discuss this with a GP could quite simply save your life.”
