Rotary

Rotary in Palestine

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Via Rotary International, some remarkable news from Ramallah:

More than 150 Rotarians and guests, including RI President John Kenny and RI Director Phil Silvers, gathered on 30 May to celebrate the charter of the Rotary Club of Ramallah, the first club in Palestine in three decades.

The new club, admitted by the RI Board on 18 May, adds another location to the Rotary map, which covers more than 200 countries and geographical areas. The club is in District 2450, which includes parts of the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.

The last Ramallah club was officially terminated in 1980. […]

The 34 new members of the Ramallah club held their first official meeting on 25 May and have already initiated projects, including a winter clothing bank. Members are also working with District 2450 to develop community parks, including several for children.  

"Our theme is ‘The Future of Palestine Is in the Hands of Its Children,'" says Ramallah club president Nader Dajani, whose uncle was president of the Jerusalem club in 1944-45.

For clarification, Ramallah is the primary city of the West Bank, and administrative centre of the Palestinian National Authority. I believe the Hamas charter still declares Rotary International to be a Zionist organisation, and thus you’re unlikely to see a Gaza Rotary Club anytime soon.

Good news about Cancer

Via Cancer Research UK:

The death toll from three of the UK’s most common cancers has dropped to its lowest level for almost 40 years* – according to new figures released by Cancer Research UK today.

Mortality rates for breast, bowel, and male lung cancer are at their lowest since 1971 even though more than 100,000 [British people are now diagnosed with these kinds of cancers every year.

Cancer is not an easy diagnosis to receive, but fortunately it is a relatively uncommon diagnosis. This graph from Cancer Research UK demonstrates (the lines) that cancer has a very low incidence; even more so if you are under 65.

However, one point to be aware of is that although the three cancers listed above – Breast, Colorectal and Lung – are the most common types seen in woman, the most common type in men is Prostate cancer. In the most recent year for which full statistics are available 30,024 cases of Prostate cancer were registered; a quarter of which were deemed to be malignant. The next most common cancers amongst men are Lung (18,002 14.8% malignant) and Colorectal (16,475, 14.6% malignant).

But prostate cancer research receives only 25% of the funding spent on research into breast cancer in women. There is a diagnostic test available to screen for prostate cancer but currently only 8% of men request this potentially life-saving test.

To help raise much needed funds for research and prostate cancer treatment at the Bristol Urological Institute, the Rotary Club of Bristol organise an annual sponsored walk, jog or run for the whole family around Bristol Downs. The next Run for the Future will take place on Sunday 20th September 2009. To register, click here or if you would like more information, get in touch with the Rotary team by clicking here.

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Rotary in Bristol – a new club for Tuesday nights.

Rotary International is pretty well represented in the area – there are nine clubs in Bristol alone. But there’s always room for one more.

If you’re under 45, and you’re free on Tuesday nights, then why not join us for a drink and a bite to eat after work at The Brigstow Hotel, Welsh Back.


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Rotary offers the chance to get together with like-minded people on a regular basis and to help local and international charities that interest you.

Build relationships • Create business contacts • Enjoy a great social life

To find out more and the date of the next meeting contact:

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