Dr Chris Nutting Speaks at Fundraising Dinner for Oracle Cancer Trust
A fundraising dinner for Oracle Cancer Trust was held in May 2019 at the Nth Degree Club, raising more than £25,000 for the charity through a live silent auction. The funds raised were later matched by the Sir Adrian Swire Pioneers Fund, resulting in a total of over £50,000 in support of the invaluable work of the organisation. Along with dinner and the auction, the event featured a number of key speakers including leading oncologist Dr Chris Nutting, author and patron of Oracle Sir Michael Morpurgo, and Nth Degree Club founder Robert Walton MBE.
Speeches
Dr Chris Nutting was invited to speak at the fundraising event in his capacity as one of the leading global experts on radiotherapy treatment for cancers of the head and neck. Dr Nutting explained how the pioneering work of the charity has resulted in new variations in radiotherapy treatment that help spare patients from suffering many of the associated lasting side-effects.
Sir Michael Morpurgo spoke of a story of love and compassion based on his book, ‘Waiting for Anya’, which included a traditional folk song. Morpurgo has previously undergone successful treatment for cancer of the larynx.
Robert Walton MBE, who is also President of the Restaurant Association, organised the event following his own treatment for tongue cancer, which left him with side effects including dry mouth and partial taste loss. Walton spoke movingly of the impact of these effects, particularly in light of his career as a leading figure in the restaurant and hospitality sector.
About Oracle
Oracle Cancer Trust is solely dedicated to funding research into cancers of the head and neck and is the leading charity in the UK with this focus. Much of the work funded by Oracle focuses on new treatment options that reduce or eliminate side effects such as those suffered by Walton. Oracle fills a research gap by providing funding for projects that are at the proof-of-concept stage or early-stage research – areas that many large funding bodies often ignore. These types of research projects pave the way for more commercial research and larger-scale clinical trials. As a charity, Oracle receives no funding from the government, relying solely on charitable donations and the efforts of fundraisers such as the Nth Degree Club.
The Nth Degree Club
The Nth Degree Club is an exclusive club for private dining based primarily in London and Dubai, with several other prestigious international locations. The Club has an exclusive network of members including influential corporations and like-minded individuals. The Nth Degree runs a variety of events throughout the year for networking and appreciation of fine dining, including drinks soirees and tasting experiences. The success of the Oracle fundraiser has led to plans for a second event already being underway, which will be held at Claridges in London on the 11th of May 2020.