Jeffrey Archer to launch ‘Wee Bookshop’

AUTHOR, Jeffrey Archer, is due to visit Chinnor later in the month, to officially open the first ever charity bookshop supporting the charity, Fight Bladder Cancer.

Jeffrey and Mary Archer – Image courtesy of beyondhall8.blogspot.co.uk/

Jeffry Archer’s wife, Dr Mary Archer, was herself diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2010 and underwent life-saving surgery which resulted in her having to have her bladder removed and a substitute ‘neo-bladder’ being formed out of a piece of her intestine. In the same year, Andrew Winterbottom started up the Fight Bladder Cancer charity in Chinnor, following his own diagnosis of the disease in 2009, when he also had to have his bladder removed to prevent further spread of the cancer.

Andrew explained: “What surprised me at the time of my diagnosis, was that there wasn’t a single charity in the UK dedicated to supporting people affected by bladder cancer. Like most people, I had not heard of bladder cancer before, so I was very surprised to find out that in fact it is the seventh most common cancer there is, has the highest recurrence rate of any cancer and is the most expensive for the NHS to treat.”

Since the charity was formed it has developed a very significant confidential support service for people affected by bladder cancer across the whole country together with a Bladder Cancer Buddy service which links people who live close to each other, so that those who have gone through the treatment can provide one-to-one support for those who are newly diagnosed.

Andrew continued: “We are delighted to get the support of Jeffrey Archer to open our first charity bookshop. The Fight Bladder Cancer charity has grown significantly in a short period by the efforts of the trustees and volunteer supporters. We are now able to support people affected by bladder cancer right across the country, raise awareness of the causes and symptoms, and help to fund essential medical research.

“Having moved the charity out of the shed at the bottom of my garden into its first small office, we were pleased to be able to use some of the space to open this charity bookshop that will help fund our vital work. Hopefully, this will be the first of many across the country.”

The official opening event will start at 6pm on Friday, October 31, at The Wee Bookshop, 19 Station Road, Chinnor OX39 4PU

Further information about bladder cancer and the activities of the charity can be found at: www.fightbladdercancer.co.uk