Mayor of Gibraltar Launches Walnut Campaign to Promote Prostate Cancer Awareness
Her Worship the Mayor, Carmen Gomez, hosted a breakfast reception at the Mayor’s Parlour on Friday to launch Annual Walnut Campaign in aid of Prostate Cancer. This campaign focuses on raising awareness of prostate cancer and encouraging men over the age of 50 to regularly check their PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) levels.
A Call for Early Detection and Awareness
At the launch, Joe Holliday, the newly appointed Chairman of Prostate Cancer Gibraltar, delivered an address highlighting the Charity’s work. He stressed the need to increase awareness and encourage men to check their PSA , as early diagnosis can save lives. Prostate cancer can often present without symptoms. Her Worship echoed this sentiment, encouraging men to get tested and recommending that the age be lowered 40, to improve early detection rates further.
Significant Contributions in Medical Equipment
Mr Holliday stated that Prostate Cancer Gibraltar, had funded over £230,000 worth of critical medical equipment for the GHA during 2023/24. This initiative was part of a longstanding partnership with the GHA to enhance local urology services and patient care. Among the equipment acquired were:
- BK3000 Transperineal Targeted Biopsy Machine (£180,000): Acquired under 3 years ago, in collaboration with the Kusuma Trust, this device has allowed the GHA to perform precise biopsies locally, benefiting 183 patients and diagnosing 125 cases of prostate cancer over the past three years.
- MALDI-TOF Microbiology Lab Equipment (£180,000): Jointly funded by Prostate Cancer Gibraltar and the Kusuma Trust, this device has revolutionised diagnostic capabilities within the microbiology department, enabling faster and more accurate pathogen identification.
- Medi-Matic Urology Outpatient Treatment and Examination Couch (£21,000): A dynamic piece of equipment used by both the urology and gynaecology departments for various procedures, providing greater patient comfort and convenience.
- Nexam Pro-Urodynamics Flow Rate and Biofeedback Equipment (£24,000): Funded by Prostate Cancer Gibraltar, this tool offers critical data on bladder function.
- Bladder Scanner MD6000 (£4,000): Donated by the Gibraltar Walking Football Association, this scanner undertakes bladder function assessment.
The purchase of this medical equipment has helped to establish a “One Stop Shop Urology Clinic” within the GHA, fulfilling one of Prostate Cancer Gibraltar’s primary objectives for the last two years and marking a significant step forward for local urology care. Holliday thanked the many sponsors both corporate and individuals for donating generously towards the cause.
Honouring Dedication and Service
Joe Holliday took the opportunity to express gratitude to Derek Ghio, the outgoing Chairman of Prostate Cancer Gibraltar, whose 13-year tenure, including five years as Chairman, has been instrumental in advancing the charity’s mission. Ghio’s leadership has seen Prostate Cancer Gibraltar grow into a robust organisation, facilitating vital partnerships, funding significant medical equipment, and supporting prostate cancer patients throughout their treatment journeys. Holliday acknowledged Ghio’s “sterling work” and ‘’dedication’’, remarking, “Derek, you should be very proud of your achievements. I am sure your dedication and commitment has saved many lives”
Minister Arias Vasquez presented Ghio with a memento in recognition of his exceptional service to the charity and the community.
Looking Forward: 2024 Walnut Campaign and Future Goals
The 2024 Walnut Campaign will feature a series of events, including the Walnut Fun Walk, Quiz Night, Wine Tasting, and the much anticipated “Shave Off,” where participants will shave their moustache to raise funds and awareness.
A new initiative, “Dash for the Tache,” led by 16 Gibraltarian students, will see participants collectively running 1,000 kilometres to support the cause during November, demonstrating solidarity and commitment from younger community members.
Looking ahead, Prostate Cancer Gibraltar aims to expand its awareness campaigns and work with the GHA to introduce MRI prostate specific screenings for men over 50. Holliday expressed the organisation’s dedication to exploring advanced treatments and making them accessible locally, ensuring continued progress in prostate cancer care.
Bullet points from Joe Holliday’s Speech:
- Awareness and Early Detection: Emphasis on the need for regular PSA screenings for men over 50, regardless of symptoms, as early detection can be lifesaving.
- Collaboration with GHA: Highlighted the productive partnership with the GHA, including protocol improvements like the email-based PSA testing system, making screenings more accessible to over 1,300 men.
- Significant Equipment Contributions: Details of medical equipment totally £230,000 funded in collaboration with the Kusuma Trust, advancing diagnostic and treatment capabilities in Gibraltar.
- Recognition of Service: Commendation of Derek Ghio’s leadership and contributions to the charity, marking his impact on prostate cancer awareness and patient care.
- Future Plans: Ambitious goals for 2025, including expanded awareness initiatives, MRI prostate specific screening introduction, and exploration of new treatment options.
This year’s Walnut Campaign is set to make a meaningful impact, urging the community to support and participate in its mission to fight prostate cancer.
A Call for Early Detection and Awareness
At the launch, Joe Holliday, the newly appointed Chairman of Prostate Cancer Gibraltar, delivered an address highlighting the Charity’s work. He stressed the need to increase awareness and encourage men to check their PSA , as early diagnosis can save lives. Prostate cancer can often present without symptoms. Her Worship echoed this sentiment, encouraging men to get tested and recommending that the age be lowered 40, to improve early detection rates further.
GBC NEWS VIDEO
Joe Holliday's Speech
1st November 2024 – Speech for Prostate Cancer Gibraltar Walnut Campaign 2024 Launch.
Your Worship, Minster, Distinguished guests.
On behalf of Prostate Cancer Gibraltar, I would like to thank Your Worship for this splendid reception, to mark the launch of the Prostate Cancer Walnut Campaign 2024 that starts today.
As some of you will know, Prostate Cancer Gibraltar became a registered Charity organisation in 2011, with the main objective of increasing awareness amongst Men, of prostate cancer and highlighting the need for early diagnosis. At that time, this was a topic that many Men were reluctant to discuss, but thanks to the persistence of Prostate Cancer Gibraltar, prostate cancer is now openly spoken about locally, helping our cause tremendously.
Our focus on awareness has been unwavering over the years. We encourage all Men over the age of 50 to regularly check their PSA levels, regardless of symptoms, as prostate cancer often presents silently. Early detection, however, can be lifesaving.
Prostate Cancer Gibraltar has in recent years worked in close collaboration with GHA. Since November 2022, a new protocol was introduced, making it easier for Men over the age of 50 to request a PSA test. No appointment with a GP at PPC is required. A simple email to prostate@gha.gi sets up an appointment for a quick blood test, with results provided within a couple of days. This efficient system run by the Urology Dept. has enabled nearly 1,300 Men to check their PSA, since its inception 2 years ago – a good start, but we encourage more Men to take advantage of this service.
I am pleased to say we have an excellent working relationship with the GHA’s senior management and with the two-consultant urologist, namely Paul Hughes and James Allen along with their team, who go beyond their call of duty. We are very fortunate to have them caring for our community.
For the past 4 years, Prostate Cancer Gibraltar has collaborated with the GHA to enhance urology patient care, achieving major milestone through the acquisition of essential medical equipment. Our partnership has equipped the GHA to offer state-of-the-art procedures and protocols locally. A notable example is the BK3000 Transperinal Targeted Biopsy equipment acquired in December 2001, jointly funded by Prostate Cancer Gibraltar and the Kusuma Trust. This £180,000 investment has been instrumental in urology advancements, performing 183 biopsies and diagnosing 125 patients with prostate cancer, in under 3 years. This equipment offers a vastly improved experience for patients and additionally is more accurate.
In the past year, Prostate Cancer Gibraltar has led in the purchase of over £230,000 in additional medical equipment.
- The Maldi-Tof equipment for the microbiology lab, at a cost of £180,000, has been jointly funded by Prostate Cancer Gibraltar and the Kusuma Trust. This is a game-changer for microbiology, accelerating the accurate identification of pathogens and directly improving patient outcomes. This is strictly not a urology specific medical equipment, but an equipment for the laboratory to use for the whole community. The acquisition of the MALDI-TOF has revolutionised the microbiology department. The introduction of the MALDI-TOF has been transformative allowing enhancement of the department’s diagnostic capabilities, leading to faster and more accurate identification of pathogens. The advancement is innovative and directly contributes to improved patient care and outcomes, greatly assisting in the department’s commitment to excellence in microbiology.
- A Medi-Matic Urology Outpatients’ Treatment and Examination Couch, at a cost of £21,000, jointly funded by Prostate Cancer Gibraltar and the Kusuma Trust. This equipment is a dynamic chair that facilities diagnostic assessment in the urology clinic away from theatre. In fact, this couch is also being used by the gynaecology department for a variety of examinations and investigations and so used by a wider category of patients and not just urology.
- A Nexam Pro-Urodynamics Flow rate and Biofeedback, at a cost of £24,000 funded by Prostate Cancer Gibraltar. This an important piece of medical equipment that offers critical data on bladder function.
- A Bladder scanner MD6000, at a cost of £4,000. This equipment was funded by the Gibraltar Walking Football Association. Thank you to the Gibraltar Walking Football Association for this generous donation.
This medical equipment has helped us complete our vision of the ‘One Stop Shop Urology Clinic’, within the GHA, which we set out as one of our objectives last year. This facility has meant progress for the Urology Department.
As you will appreciate, the funding for the above medical equipment would not have been possible without the generous donations from our main sponsor – The Kusuma Trust, which I would like to give a very special thank you. I would also like to thank the various other sponsors both corporate and individuals, who generously support our cause and the community in general, who attend our fund-raising events throughout the year.
Today marks the start of a busy Walnut campaign featuring, The Walnut Fun Walk, The Walnut Awareness Day, The Walnut Quiz Night, our participation at the International Men’s Day, Wine Tasting Dinner and the Shave Off. We encourage all of you to get involved – perhaps even grow a moustache in support!
We are especially inspired by an initiative called ‘Dash for the Tache ‘, where 16 Gibraltarian students both here and UK have committed to running 1,000 kilometres collectively in November to support Prostate Cancer Gibraltar. It is a moving show of support from young Men who understand the importance of our cause.
Looking ahead to 2025 our priorities include expanding our awareness campaigns, working with the GHA to introduce specific MRI prostate screening for Men over 50 and exploring the latest prostate cancer treatments to see if they can be made available locally.
I would like to recognise our committee members, especially Derek Ghio, Michael Alman and Kieran Williamson, who stepped down recently. Their dedication and hard work have been invaluable. We plan to dine you out in December. Thank you, Michael, and Kieran.
I can’t allow this opportunity to go by without saying words of gratitude to a person who has been with Prostate Cancer Gibraltar since the beginning, devoting 13 years to the cause, 8 as a Committee Member and the last 5 as Chairman. I am obviously referring to Derek Ghio, who has been instrumental in the success of the charity since its beginning. Derek has been a very dedicated and committed member of Prostate Cancer Gibraltar and has been instrumental to its success. He has undertaken sterling work in increasing awareness of prostate cancer locally. He has worked with the GHA in further improving patient’s care and raising funds for specific projects to assist with the purchase of medical equipment that have assisted patients suffering from prostate cancer. He has also supported patients throughout their journey. I convinced that Derek’s tireless work has saved many lives. Derek you should be very proud of your achievements.
Thank you, Derek. We will miss you.
I would now like to call on Minister Arias Vasquez to present Derek with a memento in appreciation for his remarkable service, on behalf of Prostate Cancer Gibraltar.
‘Mr Prostate’ please join us.
Thank you for your kind attention.