The Dianne Oxberry Trust drives awareness on World Ovarian Cancer Day
A charity set up in honour of a much-loved local broadcaster will be celebrating its fifth anniversary on 8 May, which is also World Ovarian Cancer Day.
The Dianne Oxberry Trust, which was founded by loved ones of the popular presenter following her death from ovarian cancer in January 2019, aims to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis in securing better outcomes.
Eamonn O’Neal, who broadcast on TV and radio with Dianne for many years and is now the Chair of the charity set up in her name, said:
“Most people remember Dianne as an ever-smiling BBC North West Tonight presenter. I remember her as an incredible friend, a talented professional and someone with the quickest wit that never failed to make me laugh.
“It was just 10 days from Dianne’s diagnosis with ovarian cancer in December 2018 and her death in January 2019 and we know through this devastating personal experience how important early diagnosis of the disease is in improving outcomes.
“That’s why we’ve been working hard for the last five years with one aim – to Spread the Word about the symptoms to look out for. It takes less than three minutes to learn them, but it could literally save your life or the life of a loved one.
“On our fifth anniversary we’re urging as many people as possible to help Spread the Word by visiting our website – www.dianneoxberrytrust.org/word – and by sharing the link with five friends, colleagues or family members too.
“We miss Dianne every day but if this campaign can mean more people have more time with their loved ones than we had with Dianne, then that would be incredible. It would mean something good can come from such a devastating experience.”
According to figures from Ovarian Cancer Action, only three in 10 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer live beyond ten years.
The Spread the Word campaign – www.dianneoxberrytrust.org/word – uses a handy acronym – WORD – to help raise awareness of the key signs to look out for when it comes to ovarian cancer:
Weeing more often
Overly bloated feeling
Reduced appetite
Dull ache or pain in the pelvis or tummy
The information is being shared on the charity’s social media channels, on signs in the Dianne Oxberry Rose Garden at MediaCity and in a range of other ways too.
Eamonn added:
“We’ve had people getting in touch to say they are grateful that they’ve seen this campaign, that they have seen their doctor as a result and had a more positive prognosis than they might have done. Please don’t think it won’t happen to you – take a look and Spread the Word as far as possible now.”
The Dianne Oxberry Trust was launched following the huge outpouring of grief and
love following the much-loved broadcaster’s death.
Initially overwhelmed by the incredible public response, Dianne’s husband Ian (pictured above with BBC presenter Sally Nugent) quickly decided to harness the positive energy to try and salvage something from the tragedy that the ovarian cancer had brought to their lives. He galvanised a small group of friends, each with a unique set of skills, to join him as trustees and the charity now works to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer across the North West.
For more information, to learn more about the signs to look out for, and help Spread the Word, visit www.dianneoxberrytrust.org/word
