ROC, Research into Ovarian Cancer was formed approximately 11 years ago by two families who had lost loved ones to this horrible disease. John Cullen, who had lost his mother Pamela, and John McGowan, who had lost his wife Angela, decided to channel their grief into something positive, when they were approached by the Ovarian Cancer Screening Unit (OCSU).  Together they formed the charity ROC, to raise money for the Ovarian Cancer Screening Unit, based at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London. 


Michael with John Cullen and Rob Andrew

The Facts

Ovarian Cancer is known as the 'silent killer', and the most lethal of all the gynaecological cancers, because in many cases there are no symptoms in the early stage, when the disease is treatable. Treatment for ovarian cancer is over 90% effective if diagnosed while in the early stages. However, due to lack of symptoms, by the time the cancer is discovered it is often too late for successful treatment. Tragically, approximately 80% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer do not survive.

 Research into Ovarian Cancer
When ROC was established, the initial goal was to raise 1 million pounds, 200,000 per year for 5 years, for the Ovarian Cancer Screening Unit, to fund the medical staff, laboratory and equipment as well as the needed computer technology. It was the primary goal of ROC to develop a screening technique which would enable ovarian cancer to be diagnosed at an early stage, thus greatly increasing the chance of survival. Through the research of David Orum and Ian Jacobs, it was found that a simple blood test which measures the amount of protein CA 125, which can be higher in women with ovarian cancer, combined with ultrasound, can be used to diagnose ovarian cancer in the early stages. In the past number of years this test has been fine tuned, as well as other methods used for the diagnosing and potential screening of ovarian cancer. 

A few years ago, largely due to the work of ROC, the Ovarian Cancer Screening Unit was given £22 million from the Medical Research Council for a study which will be completed in 2010.  It is expected that the results of this study will lead to the introduction of ovarian cancer screening alongside the screening programmes already in place for cervical and breast cancers.

 Michael Ball and ROC

Michael Ball is one of ROC’s patrons and supporters. It was Angela McGowan who was instrumental in bringing together Michael and his partner Cathy McGowan, John McGowan’s sister. In 1989, after hearing Michael sing Love Changes Everything, Angela encouraged Cathy to interview Michael. She did, and the two have been together ever since.

Later, Angela was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She had undergone what was supposed to be a simple hysterectomy, but which instead was ovarian cancer. Unfortunately the cancer was discovered too late, and Angela died a short time later.

“The personal tragedy of losing a dear friend has made me determined to do whatever I can, through ROC to prevent other families suffering in the same way.”

Michael has spent much of his time raising money for ROC. In 1995 he released the single The Rose and donated the proceeds to the charity. ‘The Rose’ has a special meaning to Michael…

“One of the most significant songs I recorded is The Rose. I chose to release it to raise money for a charity, Research into Ovarian Cancer, ROC. The reason being that Cathy, my other half’s sister-in-law died at the age of 45 with ovarian cancer, and we never heard of it, most people hadn’t heard of it. It’s an insidious, dreadful disease and we chose The Rose because we were sitting round after the funeral (and) all of the family got a rose given to every member to bury (plant) in memory of Angela, and the name of that rose was First Love.”

The CD First Love included the song The Rose, and was a dedication to Angela…

“First Love was actually inspired by the song The Rose. A beautiful rose bush planted by us in the memory of a dear friend, is named First Love and dedicated to Angela McGowan.”

As Michael says about The Rose....

"When I go on  stage and I sing that song I always dedicate it to her and truly believe she's listening, she's there, she's part of it...at those moments on stage there's a definite spirituality to it."

As well as donating the proceeds of The Rose, Michael has also performed numerous concerts in aid of ROC. Other celebrities have joined him, including Brian Kennedy, Anthony Andrews, Paul O’Grady, Lesley Garrett and Anton Rodgers. These concerts have raised thousands of pounds for the charity, and have helped to spread the word about ovarian cancer and ROC’s endeavors to fight the disease, and eventually prevent it. 


Michael with Lesley Garrett


Michael with Brian Kennedy

Actually It's Love

Actually It's Love was a book published by John and Frankie McGowan to raise funds for ROC.  It was the re-release of the original book titled The Things We Do For Love.  ROC asked sixty well known people from all walks of life to write about what they had done for love - celebrities such as Michael Ball, Sir Ian McKellan, Glenda Jackson, Sir Cliff Richard and Anthony Andrews. 

"Romantic love is pretty wonderful, no question.  And it can certainly turn your life upside down.  But it isn’t the only kind of love in the world that hits hard.  There’s another kind:  the one that takes your life by the scruff of the neck, demolishes rational thinking and casts aside any sensible person’s grip on reality.  For me it’s what I do for a living.  From the moment when, aged ten, I was taken to see Jesus Christ Superstar, the die was cast."

Michael Ball - excerpt from It's Actually Love

Actually It's Love is available in most bookshops, or available directly through John Blake's Publishing.  The cost is £6.99, which includes postage and packing.  To order the book telephone 020 7381 0666 or send a cheque, payable to John Blake Publishing, to:

John Blake Publishing
3 Bramber Court
2 Bramber Road,
London
W14 9BP

If you would like to help raise funds or make a donation to ROC, please contact:

ROC
PO Box 3872, London, SW15 1XR
Email: info@roc-charity.org
Tel. 020 8789 1406
Fax. 020 8789 1008
Website: www.roc-charity.org

 

© Michael Ball Corner 2005