Funds raised in surgeon’s memory ‘beyond wildest dreams’
£1.5k for charity set up in name of cancer specialist made at race
A RACE night held in a village near Ashbourne, in memory of a much-loved eye surgeon has raised an amazing £1,546.
Last Christmas, Margaret and Geoffrey Cohen, of Alstonefield, lost their daughter Vicky unexpectedly.
After their loss, they organised a race night in the village for an eye cancer charity set up in her name.
Margaret said: “Very tragically we lost our beloved daughter Vicky, who was just 50 years old, last Christmas.
“She died just six weeks after being diagnosed with the sudden onset of terminal cancer.
“She was a much-loved eye surgeon, specialising in the treatment of eye cancer (ocular oncology) at Moorfields and St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. She trained eye surgeons in her own speciality from all over the world to improve the outcomes for patients with eye cancer.
“Victoria had many interests, but was particularly passionate about helping young ocular oncologists and women in ophthalmic oncology in their training and education.
“She believed strongly in fairness and helping others.
“In recognition of her lifelong commitment, and in order to preserve her legacy, her husband Nick, in conjunction with board members from some of the societies Vicky was associated with, such as the International Society of Ocular Oncologists (ISOO) and the Ocular Oncology Group (OOG), are setting up the charity to continue the work she did internationally.
“The charity, which will fund an annual scholarship awarded on merit by an international panel of experts who knew Victoria well, will have a singular and focused remit in line with Vicky’s interests, which is to help support the education and training of ocular oncologists through financial grants.
“Every year, an international panel of experts in ocular oncology will select an applicant from ophthalmic surgery worldwide to receive this training grant.
“Vicky was at the height of her career and was president of the International Society of Ocular Oncologists.
“The final amount raised from the race night, including donations, was an incredible £1,546.00 for the Victoria Cohen Eye Cancer Charity.
“This was way beyond our wildest dreams. We do appreciate so much all the support and kindness we have received from people in their generosity to Vicky’s charity.”