Contact/Donate Bone Cancer Facts Noticeboard Links
This fund was set up in November 2003
following the death of Mark Cross, aged 42, of Bone Cancer. Mark died at
the beginning of September 2003, nearly two years after he received this
diagnosis.
Bone Cancer is a rare but highly aggressive cancer. The treatment is very harsh.
Extensive research is needed for these rare cancers, so more can be learnt
about them, to find better treatments and ultimately provide a more positive
prognosis.
Together with trustees for the University College London Hospitals' [UCLH] Charities, Mrs Jill Cross soon set up the Mark Cross
Bone Cancer Fund. Mark's oncologist, Dr Jeremy Whelan, senior consultant medical Oncologist at the
Meyerstein Institute of Oncology at University College Hospital [UCH], will use
the Fund for research; Dr Whelan is one of very few experts in this country on
bone cancer. The money we raise both helps finance research into bone cancer,
and also raises public awareness of this cruel disease. In June 2005, thanks to many people's contributions and
committed fund raising, the Mark Cross Bone Cancer Fund presented £36,000 to Dr
Jeremy Whelan, who spoke about bone cancer and the specific research project
the Fund supports, mainly in the form of providing the salary of a researcher. This has enabled real progress in
laboratory work, which hopefully will transfer into better treatments. At July 2008, the Fund has raised another £38,500 plus. This has been earmarked to help fund necessary start-up equipment for a new affiliated lab devoted solely to bone sarcoma
research at UCLH.
Mark Cross was a remarkable person who showed so much courage, bravery and
determination throughout his illness. He never lost his wicked sense of humour
and was always positive despite several setbacks, and the dreadful side effects
of his treatment. He was generous, confident, ambitious, loved life and lived
it to the full. Mark achieved more in his 42 years than many do in a much
longer lifetime. He enriched the lives of those who knew him and he left a
legacy and an attitude to life that we will learn from and remember.
For more information on bone cancer and the charity's activities and achievements, including the Roll of Honour on the Noticeboard page, please navigate using the toolbar at the top of this page. There's a link back to this page and its toolbar via HOME at the foot of each page. Thank you.