Latest posts by Martin Moodie (see all)
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Today marks two years since I was diagnosed with stomach cancer, an important landmark as any cancer patient will know.
That day seems an eternity ago. In front of me as I write on a cold London morning is a bottle of Mount Difficulty Pinot Noir from New Zealand which I bought (and, I have to say, consumed…) on that fateful day in 2010 after I got the news. At the time, both its origins and its name seemed just right.
Inside the wooden case that houses it, I discovered this morning for the first time a note from my then 8-year old daughter Samira to her mother saying she was having nightmares and “Sorry about Daddy’s tummy”. The uncertain, loving innocence of a child captured in a pained scrawl alongside the drawing of a heart adorned with kisses.
Two years on, I am in fine fettle. I’m a stomach lighter but my ability to consume fine Pinot Noir is unimpaired and life is indescribably rich. For me at least, but not for others.
A great industry friend who stood as close to me as my shadow during my illness is starting chemotherapy for her cancer (which she shall beat) as I write. A much-loved industry executive, Lori Watson of Pernod Ricard in North America, passed away yesterday from the disease. The notice of her death mentioned the all-too familiar words “after a long-fought battle with cancer”.
The lottery of life spares some, takes others. By launching The Moodie Report Foundation to fund cancer research, I hope to contribute to a tipping of that scale in favour of survival. Every cent raised for cancer research around the globe is of critical importance.
In that context, I’m delighted (overwhelmed actually) about the level of support for The Moodie Report’s 10th Anniversary Charity Ball, to be held in Hong Kong on 5 October – which will split all proceeds equally between the Foundation and travel retail charity Hand in Hand for Haiti.
In just three weeks since the announcement, just under half the available tables have been booked and some US$105,000 has been raised in bookings and donations. We plan to take that figure a whole lot higher.
Way too many people are being touched by this damned disease. I climbed my own Mount Difficulty but so can many others. Research is the key and money the requirement. There is no time to wait.