On Saturday, June 10, Earl Spencer will host the Russian Midsummer Fantasy at Althorp, a charity event to raise funds in the official launch of a new foundation to help save the lives of Russian children diagnosed with cancer. The Raisa Gorbachev Foundation is named to honor the memory of the former First Lady of Russia's efforts to better life for children in Russia diagnosed with cancer. According to the newspaper reporting, Raisa Gorbachev had been a passionate fundraiser for better cancer treatment for children, using her husband's Nobel Peace Prize money and the royalties she received from the publication of her book to help buy supplies and equipment for the resource-starved hospitals throughout Russia.

It is said that the Russian Midsummer Fantasy will bring together politicians, celebrities and royalty including the former Soviet President Gorbachev, Earl Spencer, Tatler editor Geordie Greig, film mogul Harvey Weinstein, Madonna and the Lebedev family, who are part-owners of the Russian national airline Aeroflot. It's a start.

Raisa Gorbachev gave her time and money to the Children of Chernobyl Relief Fund, patronized the International Association Hematologists of the World for Children -- which helped introduce modern techniques of treating childhood leukemia in Russia -- and acted as a patron to Moscow Central Children's Hospital. After her efforts to improve access to cancer treatments needed for the children of Russia, Raisa lost her own life to leukemia. I was not able to locate a website for the new foundation, but when one becomes available, I will post information for anyone who might be interested in becoming involved or making a contribution.