WHAT HE MEANT TO PROGRESS - PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

As the chairperson of Progress Prostate Cancer Support Group, it is with great sadness that I release this statement following the tragic and sudden loss of Winsor Bowsher.

With Winsor Bowsher's encouragement and support, what was once just a group of prostate cancer patients discussing the possibility of forming a support group, became a reality – like them he recognised the merit of prostate cancer patients receiving information, support and care from fellow cancer sufferers and actively encouraged his patients to form a support group – the first group of its kind in the area. He regularly attended meetings, fundraising events, conferences and social occasions organised by Progress and he would proudly represent the group, raising its profile, throughout the world. He was a leading and respected figure in prostate cancer research, contributing to and authoring many books and studies in this area and leading campaigns for increased prostate cancer research funding.

In addition to this, Winsor Bowsher was a skilled and talented surgeon. During his time at the Royal Gwent Hospital, he touched the lives of many members of the Progress group. Indeed, many members of the group would surely not be alive today if it were not for his skills as a surgeon. But his treatment of patients did not finish on the operating table. He had a unique way of putting patient’s minds at ease - with his eloquence and wit he would aid patients through their post-operative period and actively monitor their recovery every step of the way.

On a personal note, Winsor Bowsher was a trusted colleague and became a close friend to both myself and my late husband Mervyn. It was he who diagnosed Mervyn as having prostate cancer, he who operated on Mervyn, he who introduced Mervyn to Progress and he who helped give Mervyn the strength and hope to fight the disease and to help others to fight prostate cancer. In every sense of the word, Winsor Bowsher was a true friend.

The untimely death of Winsor Bowsher is a loss not only to Progress Prostate Cancer Support Group, but also to the Royal Gwent Hospital, to cancer sufferers in Gwent, in Wales and in the UK as a whole. He will be sorely missed.

Irene Moore
Chairperson
Progress Prostate Cancer Support Group
13th May 2004