The Mouth Cancer Foundation held its annual Mouth Cancer Awareness Walk last month in Hyde Park, London. Julie Wright, a registered dental nurse from Tonbridge and also a member of Vital's Editorial Board, took part in the event along with many members of the healthcare and dental profession.

This year, in addition to the walk, the Foundation is also organising a new event to raise awareness of the disease, the Mouth Cancer Voice Awards (MCVA). The awards are designed to increase awareness of mouth cancers among university students.

The MCVA will be looking for the most talented young stars for a talent show of university students that aims to raise their awareness of the risk factors (smoking, drinking and HPV) as well as the symptoms of mouth cancer by making them appreciate their voice, which can be lost through mouth cancer.

University students from across the country will be invited to perform a short demo for one of four categories and upload their demo to the Mouth Cancer Voice Awards 2007 website at www.mouthcancervoice.org.

Julie (right) with walking companion Anna

These demos will be turned into video clips that will be voted for by the general public. Three acts in each category will be shortlisted to attend the grand final at the Vanburgh Theatre, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art where they will perform live before a panel of judges and be in with the chance of winning the prize of a lifetime. The final was being held on 18 November 2007, marking the end of this year's Mouth Cancer Awareness week (11-18 November). For further information on the events visit www.mouthcancerwalk.org.