KING'S GRATITUDE FOR 'COMMUNITY OF CARE' DEFYING CANCER

'The darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion'

- Emily Ferguson

KING Charles has thanked the nation's army of people who have taken up the fight against cancer and hailed them a "community of care".

In a deeply personal message to guests at a Buckingham Palace reception for cancer charities the monarch, 76, said his own experience of the disease gives him a greater appreciation of the help they provide to his fellow patients. He told them: "The darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion." Charles' heartfelt words came in a personally written note inside a booklet handed to guests at the reception, which he hosted alongside Queen Camilla, 77.

Every year 390,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer.

The monarch wrote: "Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones.

"But as one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity.

"It has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years." The King said the event was held "to celebrate and above all thank those who so selflessly give care, comfort and reassurance to the 390,000 people who, sadly, receive a new cancer diagnosis" each year.