Hopefully, you are all well and have managed to avoid the various infections which are around. We’re obviously having to live with them, just as we did during the influenza infections of the past.
Anyway, have a good summer and enjoy the sun when it’s shining!
Pancreatic Cancer Research Update
Our team at St George’s, University of London has continued their research to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. You may remember that Ella Rimmer, our research assistant, left last year to join Bath University. Dr Androulla Elia, who is head of our research at St George’s, was fortunate to be able to recruit a worthy successor and here’s her update;
“Ralph Bates Funded Research at St George’s Continues! Following an award from the Fund for a 3-year studentship, PhD student Jack Lawrence started his research in April. Jack’s research will focus on a completely novel treatment. This direction has stemmed from research undertaken during his master’s project to characterise the response of pancreatic cancer cells to the drug I5-M. As this is a three-year programme, we envisage further deepening our understanding of how pancreatic cancer cells respond to this potential new treatment. It’s a very exciting time, and we are very grateful for all donations that have made this award possible!” Dr Androulla Alia.
Here’s Jack in the laboratory at St George’s. He’s well known to the team and will be a great addition. Whilst he’s researching the effect of the drug 15-M, the rest of the team will continue their research into protein control to combat pancreatic cancer.
Fundraising Update
In our last Newsletter, we mentioned that Mike Phillips, an airline pilot, ran for us in the TCS London marathon in October 2022. The urge to run the Marathon is catching, as Dan Johnson, Mike’s neighbour, ran the TCS London Marathon 2023 for us in April last! Here’s Dan, who said after the marathon; “It was a fab day. The atmosphere was amazing. I managed to drag myself round in 3.56, so really pleased with that”.
Dan raised over £2,200 for our Charity, which is a tremendous achievement. Between them, Mike and Dan have raised almost £5,000, which is fantastic! Many thanks to both of them for their support and for the time they spent training and to their families for supporting them in the fundraising.
Appeals Update
Over the last few months, we participated in an appeal to support research into pancreatic cancer at Oxford University. This did not distract from our activities at St George’s. The donations received in the appeal are restricted to specific research at Oxford University and were raised in the name of a patient suffering from pancreatic cancer, who unfortunately passed away during the appeal. We’re pleased to have been able to support this appeal, as it’s irrelevant where pancreatic cancer research is carried out, but essential that it is. We look upon it as being a collaboration, not a race.
Being vigilant is essential when it comes to pancreatic cancer, which is especially difficult to diagnose and needs to be caught early. Once again, we’ve shown below our “What is pancreatic cancer” flyer, which hopefully will prompt someone to take action if they think they have any symptoms.
Once again, many thanks for your support- it’s really appreciated.
The Trustees.
August 2023.
