XX-XX-1996 – Brian May Gives to Cancer Research

Brian May, formerly of rock group, Queen has presented a personal cheque to the Ralph Bates Pancreatic Cancer Research Trust for the purchase of a new weapon in the fight against cancer, in south London.

Brian May was approached earlier this year by fund-raiser, Danik Williams whose mother had recently died from cancer. Williams was seeking to raise funds to buy new equipment required in the treatment of cancer for St George’s Hospital, Tooting, where her own mother was treated eight months ago. May was moved by Williams’ efforts and agreed to donate money to her cause.

The money donated will buy two highly sophisticated new machines used in the treatment of cancer, an Argon Beam Coagulator and an Ultrasonic dissector. These will make possible the removal of some kinds of cancers which were previously inoperable. The cheque was presented to the three doctors who treated Danik Williams’, mother, in her memory and in memory of Brian’s own father who died of cancer some 10 years ago.

Danik Williams will continue in her efforts to raise money towards the research and treatment of cancer and intends to set up a fund in memory of her mother to be called the Germana Marshall Liver Cancer fund.

Brian May, also a keen fund-raiser was last week honoured by the Grand Order of Water Rats, showbusiness’ famous charity lodge where he was initiated as the 800th Rat since the order was begun at the beginning of the century. Under GOWR rules, Brian is officially Baby Rat until a new Rat is elected. Past members include Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy and George Formby.