Two Yorkshire charities Andreas Gift and Candlelighters have joined forces to fund a new research team.
Dedicated to the study of adult and childhood brain tumours, to be based at the Leeds Institute for Molecular Medicine (LIMM).
Andrea's Gift is Yorkshire's leading brain tumour charity, providing funds for research and patient support, whilst Candelighters was established by parents of children treated at the Yorkshire paediatric oncology and haematology unit at St James's University Hospital in Leeds and is dedicated to combating childhood cancer, leukaemia and serious blood disorders. It's expected that their joint £750,000 donation will enable the team to be established this summer.
"We're delighted that these two local charities have combined their efforts and resources to fund this new team, especially as research in this field has been underfunded and neglected for years," said Alan Melcher, head of laboratory-based research within the Section of Oncology and Clinical Research within LIMM, whose section will house the new research centre.
"Children and adults who are diagnosed with a tumour of the brain or central nervous system often don't fare as well as patients affected by other cancers or tumours. This can be directly attributed to a lack of knowledge and research in the area."
The charities' funding will pay for a specialist team leader and technician, whilst LIMM will give its support to the research and provide another technician to complete the laboratory team.
"This shows our clear commitment to this branch of research, and the fact that we believe the work could have a significant impact and make Leeds an internationally renowned centre of excellence in this field," continued Alan. "I'm particularly excited that the focus will be on translational research, which means it could make a real difference to patients relatively quickly.
"The initial grant will run for up to five years but we hope that the research the team carries out will enable them to seek additional funding in the future from charities and foundations."
For more information on the charities visit:
www.andreasgift.org.ukwww.candlelighters.org.uk
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