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We’ve called this our “Summer 2024 Newsletter” but heaven knows why! With the dark skies and continual rain, it probably should have been called “Winter 2024”!
Hopefully the weather will pick up over the next few weeks and you never know, we may have an Indian summer in September. Fingers crossed.
Fundraising Update
Now and again, more information comes to light about the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. According to research conducted by the Charity Commission, more than 90% of the charities surveyed (almost 2000) were negatively affected by the crisis, with 62% saying that they “anticipate a threat to their charity’s financial viability” during 2024. Around 60% suffered a loss of income from their activities whilst some folded as a direct result of the pandemic or merged with other organisations.
There’s no doubt that smaller charities suffered and will continue to do so with the cost- of-living situation eating into families’ financial resources. And it’s also other things which have an impact, like the reduced use of notes and coins- collection boxes in fish and chip shops no longer rattle with customers’ small change! This used to be a good income stream for many charities. Medical research cannot afford to lose charities such as ours.
At the Ralph Bates Fund, we value every donation we receive, and each one is acknowledged. We keep our expenses to a minimum- this Newsletter is testament to that! None of the Trustees claim expenses and never have done. You’re assured that any donation you can make to our Fund will be spent wisely, which has enabled us over the past ten years to spend 94% of our Income on charitable activities. Even a donation of £2 a month by standing order adds up to £30 a year after adding Gift Aid.
Details of how to donate can be found on our Donate page Donate | The Ralph Bates Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund (ralphbatespcr.org.uk)
One of our donors is the enthusiastic owner of a Citroen estate car previously owned by Ralph Bates and Virginia. He tells us that “the car is in fine fettle, in regular use both home and abroad and a frequent contributor to events in the UK’s Citroen Car Club”.
He’s offered to bring the car to any fundraising event in which we might be involved, and we may take him up on that one day!
From the registration number, it appears that the car is some 50 years old! Brilliant! Ralph would have been pleased his ex -vehicle has been so well looked after. And what a fantastic testimony for the quality of Citroen cars!
You might remember from previous Newsletters that Mike Phillips, an airline pilot, ran the TCS London Marathon for us in 2022. He’s been at it again! Mike recently ran the Milton Keynes half marathon for our-selves and another Charity in about 2 hours, a time with which he was very pleased. Once again, Mike raised money for both the Charities involved and we are extremely grateful for his seemingly endless energy and enthusiasm.
Research Update
Here’s what Androulla, our research leader said in her latest update;
To all our Newsletter readers. Many thanks for supporting our research!
The focus of our current project on novel therapeutics* that potentially target pancreatic cancer cells is being undertaken by PhD student Jack Lawrence. With funds that you have raised, numerous milestones have now been reached.
Since our last update at the end of last year, Jack has completed his second report and was successfully examined in an oral exam known as a viva. This lasted several hours, and he received very positive feedback for the research he has undertaken so far. As he now embarks on the second year of this studentship, he is currently investigating several combination treatments and how they affect pancreatic cancer cell movement. This is particularly important when we consider the process of metastasis in which cancer cells can move from a primary site and spread throughout the body.
Here you can see some of the software images that Jack is using to look at cell movement. These were taken by a specialised microscope known as a Livecyte, that essentially allows the researcher to observe cell movements over a period of time. It can capture the images and analyse the data.
Once again, thanks for your invaluable support.
Androulla.
Sorry these images are so small but would most of us be able to understand them even if they were larger? We show them here as it’s important our readers can see the complexity of the research our team is involved in. This is only one small part of the extensive research they are involved in every day.
*Currently, it’s necessary that the “novel therapeutics” Androulla refers to remain confidential due to the sensitive nature of research.
We can never reiterate too many times that pancreatic cancer is a killer, so please watch out for those tell-tale symptoms and do something about it if you’re worried.
Early diagnosis could make all the difference. It’s difficult to be specific, as each case is different, but if you or anyone you know has any of these symptoms- see a doctor as soon as you can;
- Yellow skin or eyes and/or itchy skin. This is “jaundice”.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Tummy pain, especially at the top of the abdomen, which may radiate to the back, or unexplained mid-back pain.
- Bowel changes such as oily, floating faeces (stools).
And remember – pancreatic cancer doesn’t discriminate between sexes and doesn’t care how old you are.
Once again, many thanks for your support- it’s really appreciated.
The Trustees
July 2024
