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29/11/2002 - Circumcision Campaigner Wins Award
Dr John Warren, chairman of the charity NORM-UK, was named joint winner in the health category of the Oyster Awards at a ceremony in London on Thursday.

Dr Warren's campaign was started in 1994 to educate the public about circumcision, providing information and advice about the effects and promoting non-surgical alternative treatments. NORM-UK is now a national charity which also provides information to many circumcised men who want to restore some of what they have lost. The organisation has helped more than 3,000 people, runs support groups and produces a quarterly magazine along with a website at www.norm-uk.org.

Commenting on his work, Dr Warren said, "Male circumcision is often considered to be an inconsequential operation, yet a high proportion of men report irreversible damage to their sexual function afterwards. Doctors need to realise that there are alternative treatments which are cheaper, easier and avoid damage to mens' sex lives"

The Oyster Awards were set up to recognise positive action that has improved the life of the community. Launched jointly by Camelot,The National Lottery operator, and educational organisation Common Purpose and sponsored by The Sun newspaper, it honours campaigners who have shown grit and determination through speaking up and taking constructive action on something they feel should be improved, changed or created.

Camelot Chief Executive, Dianne Thompson, said, "Dr Warren thoroughly deserves the accolade of joint winner of the Oyster Award for Health. The judges were particularly impressed with the way he boldly pushed a taboo subject into the public arena and has successfully turned it into a national charity, offering help in the way of treatment, as well as support and advice."
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--CONTACT--
For further information contact
NORM-UK http://www.norm-uk.org
NORM-UK, David Smith: 01785 814044 info@norm-uk.org
Oyster Awards, Camelot Press Office: 01923 425456

--NOTES--
Notes about Dr Warren and NORM-UK:
* Dr Warren is a consultant physician at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex.
* NORM-UK was founded in 1995 and gained charity status in 1998. The registered charity number is 1072831
* The charity is run entirely by volunteers and relies on private donations for funding
* In May 2002 a study in the Journal of Urology reported that circumcision appears to result in worsened erectile function, decreased penile sensitivity and that 38% of men circumcised as adults reported harm to sexual function.
* Last year, Sweden outlawed circumcision of boys under 18 years except where medically indicated or specially licensed.

Notes about the Oyster Awards:
* The National Oyster Awards were held at The Shakespeare UnderGlobe Theatre, Southwark, London, on Thursday, 28th November.
* The national awards recognised those achievements which have an impact beyond their region. There were six sectors - education, environment, community, crime prevention, governance and health.
* The prize for the health category was