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Harry’s lifesaving donation in memory of his wife

10 November 2008

A local resident who lost his wife to lung cancer because the disease was not diagnosed until just six weeks before her death has donated £28,000 to Chelsea and Westminster to aid early detection of the killer disease.

A local resident who lost his wife to lung cancer because the disease was not diagnosed until just six weeks before her death has donated £28,000 to Chelsea and Westminster to aid early detection of the killer disease.

Harry Simler explains: “My wife Esther died of lung cancer in 1998 after an X-ray failed to pick up the cancer.

“I set up the Esther Simler Cancer Appeal Providing Early Detection (ESCAPED) to raise money for Chelsea and Westminster because this is my local hospital and I have also received excellent treatment here.”

Mr Simler, 80, of Montpelier Place, Knightsbridge, adds: “I spoke to Respiratory Consultant Dr Pallav Shah because I wanted the money I raised through a ‘wing walk’ on a plane and lots of other fundraising activities to buy a specific piece of equipment to help lung cancer patients.

“Dr Shah said that there were machines available to help early detection of lung cancer and I am delighted that the hospital has been able to buy a fluorescence bronchoscope with my donation.”

Dr Shah says: “On behalf of all the staff involved in diagnosing and treating patients with lung cancer at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, I would like to thank Harry for his tireless fundraising in memory of his late wife.

“His generous donation means that we have now installed a fluorescence bronchoscope which will allow staff to pick up problems much earlier and save lives.”

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