Seve Ballesteros, the Spanish golfer who underwent brain tumour surgery nine months ago, has launched a cancer foundation, with the aim of ‘doing his bit to battle this disease’.

Speaking at a reception in a Madrid hotel on 25^th June, at the launch of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation to help fight cancer, the 52-year-old Spaniard recalled how his life "was hanging by a thread," nine months previously.

Ballesteros, the winner of five major titles, who captained Europe's Ryder Cup team to victory over the United States in 1997, underwent four operations on a malignant brain tumour late last year, followed by chemotherapy treatment.

He said his thoughts were with people going through traumas like his, urging them to “fight, fight, fight and be consistent," to win out in the end.

The Seve Ballesteros Foundation aims to contribute to cancer research, particularly the treatment of brain tumours. It will also help young golfers with financial problems.

On the foundation's website, Ballesteros says: "Cancer is a disease that doesn’t differentiate between race, language or ages. It is really the true challenge that humanity has to win sooner or later. The Seve Ballesteros Foundation wishes to contribute as much as possible to the investigation against this disease.

“I understand very well all those suffering from severe illness as well as their families. I have been lucky enough to have a second chance and given my situation I can contribute to help others. It is my wish to offer some hope that one day a remedy to this severe problem is found. This will be the Foundation’s priority and thus, my decision to establish a charity organization bearing my name. It has been a tough time for me. The doctors at La Paz have saved my life and unending fight is necessary. The real battle is the fight against this type of illness. It is worth the effort.”