New ‘Pembrokeshire Friends of Prostate Cymru’ Launched
A large and representative gathering from the local community attended the Mariners Hotel in Haverfordwest last week for the official launch of the Pembrokeshire Friends of Prostate Cymru (PFoPC).
They were welcomed by Ray Williams, the former coaching organiser and secretary of the Welsh Rugby Union, who is the senior ambassador for Prostate Cymru (PC) and the newly-elected chairman of the Pembrokeshire Friends of Prostate Cymru, who provided information about the special guests, including Andrew Thomas, the surgeon who specialises in the new robotic equipment needed to fight prostate cancer across Wales, as well as being chairman of PC.
Andrew outlined the facts about how prostate cancer is more prevalent in Wales than England and how one man in eight in our country will suffer from the disease; with one in three likely to develop it if there is a family history. Yet there is good news in the fact that a revolutionary new robotic surgery treatment will soon be started in Cardiff, and Pembrokeshire patients will have direct access to it with a 24 hour hospital stay, and a follow up afterwards in local hospitals.
He was joined by Tina Tew, the new Chief Executive Officer of PC and its president David Brace OBE, who is known for his fund-raising for charity as well as his hobby of looking after race horses!
Ray Williams also introduced other guest speakers in Ralph Rees, the Hon Treasurer of PFoPC, who outlined the exciting 5 Nations Challenge by the Milford Haven Round Table, of which he was Chairman, which contributed £3,640 to a total raised of £15,000 raised by them, and Brian Harries, committee member, who gave details of the Haverfordwest Rotary Club “The Wurzels” Barn Dance on the 4th July , in conjunction with John Daniels, the PFoPC Hon Secretary and the St David’s Penknife Club sponsored walk on the 4th May. All proceeds from these events were in support of Prostate Cymru
Also introduced as guests were Joyce Watson AM, Cllr Arwyn Williams, chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Mark Edwards, former Welsh rugby stars Brynmor Williams, Robert Jones and Dafydd Jones, all from Thomas Carroll, and David Howlett, representing Paul Davies AM.
Other committee members from PFoPC C introduced by Ray Williams were June Rees MBE, Dai Davies MBE, and Bill Carne, plus many from local organisations too numerous to mention as the fight against prostate cancer in Pembrokeshire was well and truly launched.
Ray Williams also outlined his gratitude to Fred Rees Garages and the Mariners Hotel Haverfordwest for their support for the launch
Press release and photographs courtesy of Pembrokeshire Sports writer and broadcaster Bill Carne