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Last chance to contribute to Harrogate's winter wonderland of lights

08/02/2012 15:57:43 +0000

Yorkshire Cancer Research is offering members of the public a last minute chance to contribute to the Stray's colourful lights before the display is switched off at the end of March.

Tree lights on The Stray are available to purchase in memory or celebration of a loved one, family member or special event through the charity's Symphony of Lights scheme, which is held in conjunction with Harrogate Borough Council.

The lights, which will be lit for 50 years and maintained by the council, range from £10 for a single light, £100 for a garland of lights and £1,500 for a whole tree of lights. Since the scheme first began in 2010, the charity has sold 14 trees which come with personalised plagues and the opportunity to post a message and photograph on Yorkshire Cancer Research's online Message Book.

Those who purchase lights and garlands of lights are also able to include a personal message in the charity's Message Book - a place where people can remember or celebrate their loved ones.

The popular display is currently on show five months of the year from October to March, and last year the charity raised £18,000 from the initiative.

Sally Crerar, Head of Community Fundraising at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "Harrogate's popular lighting display is now bigger and better than ever thanks to those who have purchased lights.

"As well as contributing to Harrogate's beautiful winter lights, the scheme also raises money for our world-class cancer research, treatment and diagnosis projects throughout Yorkshire."

For more information, please visit www.ycr.org.uk/symphony.

Bradford cancer experts host live interactive performance for young people

02/02/2012 11:28:49 +0000

Leading scientists in Bradford who are developing a revolutionary 'smart-bomb' cancer treatment will host a thought-provoking production about cancer and genetic testing aimed at young people and their families.

Professor Laurence Patterson and his team at the University of Bradford's Institute of Cancer Therapeutics hope to raise awareness of the complex ethical and emotional implications of modern medicine through an interactive, educational 'Theatre of Debate' performance and workshop by Y Touring Theatre Company.

It is hoped that the production will also highlight the Yorkshire Cancer Research-funded Cancer Medicines Discovery Programme led by Professor Patterson and his team and help to raise money for further cancer research at the University of Bradford.

'Dayglo' by Abi Brown focuses on exploring advances in the understanding of how human genomes function in health and disease, and the likely impact of pharmacogenetics on future health, through the journeys and perspectives of four characters who are each affected by advances in medicine.

Centering around the protagonist Evelyn and her struggle with breast cancer, the performance offers an in depth look at the achievements and complications of cutting edge scientific research.

The production, researched and developed in partnership with The Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and the University of Ulster, will be enhanced by audience debate, electronic voting and a panel of experts including scientists, actors and clinicians.

Kathryn Scott, Research Liaison Officer for Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "Dayglo is a powerful play because it addresses issues that are becoming more and more pertinent to cancer treatment and uses a true story to bring these issues to life.

"It is extremely fitting to bring this performance to the University of Bradford in light of the long standing support that Yorkshire Cancer Research has given to Professor Patterson's programme of drug discovery. Personalised medicine is the anticipated future of cancer treatment."

Find out more and book tickets for the performance on Wednesday, March 21st.

International investigation into skin cancer survival to begin in Leeds

31/01/2012 10:29:14 +0000

A major international collaboration between scientists investigating the survival of melanoma skin cancer patients will begin at the University of Leeds later this year.

Professor Julia Newton-Bishop from the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, part of the University of Leeds' School of Medicine, will lead the further development of a consortium called BioGenoMEL, involving research groups across Europe and North America who have collected DNA samples from many thousands of melanoma patients.

An initial one-year project, funded by a £50,000 award from Yorkshire Cancer Research, will allow Prof Newton-Bishop and her team of experts to pool these datasets from around the world and use them to identify genes that determine patient survival following surgery.

Prof Newton-Bishop said: "Melanoma is a potentially deadly form of skin cancer. Our hypothesis is that after a tumour is removed during surgery, some undetected cancer cells may be left in the body, and while some people's bodies are able to inhibit the growth of these cells, some cannot.

"If we can find inherited genes that determine how the body controls these cells, we can open the way to new treatments for melanoma and possibly even other cancers as well. It is a novel approach."

Smaller studies previously led by Prof Newton-Bishop have suggested that inherited variations in two specific genes could play a significant role in determining whether or not a skin cancer patient will survive. These results will be checked in the larger study.

The consortium will also look at the role of lifestyle in skin cancer survival. Earlier investigations carried out in Leeds showed that people with low levels of Vitamin D in their bloodstream when they were diagnosed with melanoma were more likely to have thicker tumours, which are more difficult to treat, and seemed to be less likely to survive more than three years after diagnosis.

The studies suggested that having sufficient levels of vitamin D might be very important for melanoma patients but more evidence is required before recommendations can be made. The new collaboration with scientists across the world will mean this work can be validated using huge datasets, and also allow other determining genes to be investigated.

Prof Newton-Bishop said: "The only way we can validate our previous research, and find other factors which determine patients' survival, is by collaborating in a multi-national study. Running a big consortium and working together for a long time is no mean achievement when scientists are natural competitors for funding.

"We need to prove we can share our knowledge and skills, work together and gather evidence to back-up our ideas before we can go on to compete for international grants, and we are extremely grateful to Yorkshire Cancer Research for giving us the opportunity to do this, particularly in these difficult financial times."

Engaged couples invited to charity Valentines Evening at Bedern Hall in York

23/01/2012 14:32:06 +0000

Brides to be and their fiancés are being invited to experience the medieval splendour of Bedern Hall, York, at a special Valentines Evening.

Prospective couples considering holding their wedding day at the 14th century hall will have the chance to enjoy a three-course candlelit dinner on Tuesday, February 14, alongside newlyweds who held their special day at the magnificent venue.

For those who have already made their vows at Bedern Hall, it will be an opportunity to re-live their happy memories and share their day with others.

A donation from the proceeds of the event will be given to Yorkshire Cancer Research, and those who attend, as well as those who have been invited but cannot attend, will also be given the option of donating to the charity directly.

Yorkshire Cancer Research recently awarded £2.15m to Professor Norman Maitland, Director of the YCR Cancer Research Unit at the University of York, and his team to further their internationally award-winning progress into prostate cancer stem cell research.

Roger Lee, Director of Bedern Hall, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to those who married here to re-visit their wedding venue and share memories, and for couples planning a wedding the chance to experience the hall and enjoy the food.

"As Valentines is all about caring and sharing, we decided to add a charitable element to the evening. My father died from metastatic prostate cancer and Yorkshire Cancer Research is the only charity that funds research into this disease locally."

The Valentines Evening, which will take place from 7.30pm to 11pm, costs £27.50 per person. For more information and to book please visit www.bedernhall.co.uk. Those who book their wedding at the venue following the Valentines Evening and before the end of March 2012 will receive a 10% discount on the hall hire charge.

To make a donation towards Bedern Hall's fundraising campaign please visit www.justgiving.com/BedernHall.

Bettys and Taylors choose Yorkshire Cancer Research as charity of the year

23/01/2012 11:04:42 +0000

Yorkshire Cancer Research is proud to have been chosen as charity of the year by staff at Taylors of Harrogate and Bettys Bakery and Cookery School.

Staff from Taylors of Harrogate will raise money for a state-of-the-art piece of equipment called a Nanodrop spectrophotometer, which can measure levels of DNA and protein from very small samples.

The equipment will be used by an internationally respected group of researchers at the University of Sheffield, headed by Professor Peter Andrews, who are researching childhood cancers including neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer in infancy, with an annual incidence of about 100 cases per year in the UK. Almost half of all cases occur in children under two years old. The disease is extremely varied in these children ranging from a low risk disease with a relatively good outcome to a high risk disease which has a very poor outcome.

A major challenge is to identify those children who have the high risk disease as early as possible and to develop new therapies which can treat this type of cancer.

The new equipment will allow the differences between normal cells, low risk cancers and high risk cancers to be determined and pave the way for new therapies to be developed.

Sally Crerar, Head of Community Fundraising, said: "We are delighted and thrilled to have been chosen as charity of the year for both Taylors of Harrogate and Bettys Bakery and Cookery School. We would like to say a huge thank you to all the members of staff who voted for us and we look forward to the fundraising activities that both parts of the organisation are planning for 2012."

Find out what Bettys Bakery and Cookery School will be raising money for next month.

Wakefield duo take on the desert to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research

17/01/2012 11:51:57 +0000

Two friends from Wakefield are preparing to take on their biggest challenge to date. Mark Valente and Dave Phillipson have signed up to run the Marathon Des Sables in April to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

The Marathon des Sables, said to be "the toughest foot race on the planet", is set in stages and covers some 243km done at your own pace while maintaining self-sufficiency in food, clothing and gear.

The event is held in Morocco and involves participants running approximately 151 miles across the Sahara desert in six days, carrying all their own supplies and equipment except tent and water.

Previous entrants include the television presenter Ben Fogle and the Olympic rowing gold medallist James Cracknell, who have both gone on to trek the South Pole.

Mark, a former Yorkshire Discus Champion, has been training for this event for two years, running an estimated 6,000 miles in total. He runs a full marathon every week.

The 45 year old, a member of Wakefield Harriers, started running nine years ago when he stopped throwing discus. He claims he is not a natural runner but completed the New York Marathon in 2003 and has run both the Brathay Windermere and Rutland Water marathons.

Also not a born runner, Dave is managing to run up to sixty miles a week training and intends to run seventy five to eighty miles per week in the few months prior to the race.

Dave, who owns a restaurant in Wakefield, will be running in memory of his father, who passed away after suffering from cancer.

While Mark, a police officer and law trainer for West Yorkshire Police, says he chose to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research because it is a cause close to his heart as he has lost friends to cancer.

He said: "If I have a cold I can take a week off training, but someone having chemotherapy doesn't have that option."

When asked how he will keep himself motivated during the marathon, Mark spoke of his two and half year old son Samuel: "I just couldn't face going home and telling him that I hadn't finished. He's so proud of me and always shouts 'Daddy's going running' when I leave the house."

Dave, 54, says he will be carrying pictures of his Dad and son to give him a boost whilst running.

He also commented: "I'm running with a great friend, and I know we'll be there for each other for huge support when there's a crisis."

So far Mark and Dave have raised around £22,000 between them. The money has been raised through a number of fundraising events.

West Yorkshire police have also raised £2,000 towards Mark's challenge.

If you would like to sponsor Mark please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Mark-Valente. To sponsor Dave visit http://www.justgiving.com/DavePhillipson

Unique drug delivery method could transform experience of cancer patients

16/01/2012 09:51:13 +0000

A unique method of delivering chemotherapy which could transform the way cancer patients receive their treatment is being investigated by scientists at the University of Bradford.

The project, funded by a £184,612 grant from Yorkshire Cancer Research, will test whether a drug that is taken by the mouth and distributes effectively around the body could act as a 'carrier' for established chemotherapeutics.

Having chemotherapy can be a slow and inconvenient process for patients because the drugs struggle to find their way into the tumour and are often delivered into a vein using a drip over several hours - but one particular drug is a notable exception.

Drs Richard Wheelhouse of the School of Pharmacy and Roger Phillips from the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, leading the study, will adapt a part of the drug's chemical structure to make a new 'carrier molecule', which will then be attached to other established drugs to make the act of taking them a quicker, more convenient and less distressing process.

Dr Wheelhouse said: "The successful outcome of this work could allow many drugs currently given by injection or drip to be given orally through tablets or capsules. This may be done either at home or during a brief outpatient visit, so reducing inconvenience, time spent visiting hospital and distress to patients.

"There are also other potential benefits of the new technology. It may reduce side-effects by better tumour targeting of the drugs. It may overcome biochemical mechanisms by which tumours resist chemotherapy. These would make chemotherapy more effective, thus extending and improving the quality of life for patients."

Yorkshire Cancer Research is committed to funding £6m of world-class cancer research, treatment and diagnosis throughout the region every year with the aim of slashing current statistics that show 259 people die every week from cancer in Yorkshire alone.

Christmas catwalk raises £1,000 for Yorkshire Cancer Research

13/01/2012 11:00:52 +0000

An aspiring fashion designer from Stocksbridge has raised more than £1,000 for Yorkshire Cancer Research by holding a Christmas catwalk event at Wortley Hall, Sheffield.

Terri Bowden, who completed an FdA in Costume Construction at Cleveland College of Art and Design last summer, organised the 'Mad Hatters' themed event to showcase her vintage and hand-made clothing and raise money for charity.

The 20-year-old, who works as a waitress at the country mansion, said: "I became interested in designing clothes after taking part in a sewing course. I make a lot of my own things, including hats and hand-decorated clothes which I sell to my friends. I'm a creative person and I like making my ideas a reality. I love seeing people wearing my clothes and enjoying them.

"I wanted to hold an event to let people know what I'm doing and to raise money for a local charity at the same time. I've had cancer in my family so Yorkshire Cancer Research seemed like the ideal charity to choose."

About 140 people turned up to the show, which included a hot turkey, cranberry and stuffing sandwich and the chance to buy Terri's creations afterwards.

Those who attended also had the opportunity to browse Christmas stalls, enjoy a performance by 14-year-old singer Megan Adamson and take part in a raffle and auction.

Wortley Hall provided the room and food for free so that as much money as possible could go to Terri's chosen charity.

She added: "The event was amazing. I'd like to thank the models who made the night a success, photographer Peter Goldstraw who captured the event, Wortley Hall and everyone who came along and supported myself and Yorkshire Cancer Research."

Huddersfield restaurant owner who lost brother to cancer to hold fundraising dinner

12/01/2012 14:09:28 +0000

A Huddersfield restaurant owner who lost his brother to cancer will hold a special dinner to raise money for research into the disease.

Abdul Hafiz is inviting guests to Saim's Restaurant, Bradford Road, on 26 January for an evening of contemporary Halal Punjabi cuisine, live music and a raffle prize draw in aid of Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Mr Hafiz's brother, Abdul Latif, passed away four years ago at the age of 57 following a battle with prostate cancer.

Yorkshire Cancer Research, which funds world-class research, treatment and diagnosis projects throughout the region, is responsible for funding pioneering research into prostate cancer at the University of York's YCR Cancer Research Unit, led by Professor Norman Maitland.

Mr Hafiz, who also works as a pharmacist at Bradford Road Pharmacy, said: "A few years ago, my brother lost his battle with cancer, but thanks to the work of Yorkshire Cancer Research doctors were able to prolong his life. We would like to give something back to this wonderful charity by hosting this fundraising dinner and raising awareness of the prevalence of cancer.

"Yorkshire has lower survival rates from cancer than the national average. This is partly due to the fact that the government and other cancer research charities focus their funding efforts in other regions. I see patients with cancer at the pharmacy every day - it"s something that can affect any one of us at any time."

Bradford Road Pharmacy has donated fragrances for the raffle and those who attend will be able to make donations to the charity during the evening, which will begin at 7pm.

Tickets for the evening, which includes a four-course meal, are £15. To book a table for the fundraising dinner please visit http://saimsrestaurant.co.uk/fundraising-dinner/ or contact the restaurant on 01484 539444.

Childhood cancers to be explored at University of Sheffield

06/01/2012 11:34:20 +0000

Scientists at the University of Sheffield will use an innovative technique to explore the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancers during a three year project funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research.

The regional charity, which supports world-class research throughout Yorkshire, has awarded £187,103 to researchers so they can develop new tools for exploring the origins and causes of paediatric cancers, including neuroblastomas.

Childhood cancers are thought to arise from defects in embryonic development before birth, and the scientists plan to analyse the development process using induce Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells, which resemble embryonic stem cells and can produce all the cell types that occur in an embryo.

For the first time, the team has created iPS cells from neuroblastoma cells, which will be used to seek new approaches to therapy.

iPS cells have already provided a powerful approach to modelling diseases with a strong genetic basis, such as Huntington's and Parkinson's disease.

Professor Peter Andrews of the University's Department of Biomedical Science, who is leading the project, said: "We plan to re-programme cells taken from paediatric cancers, which carry the mutations required for cancer development, back to a cellular state preceding that associated with cancer.

"These cells will then develop back into cancer cells, recreating the developmental conditions under which the cancer arose and providing a controlled system in which development, progression and response of the disease to drugs or other interventions can be assessed. We hope to discover specific genes and molecular processes that either drive initiation of these cancers or their progression once they are formed."

Information gained during the project could aid early diagnosis and monitoring of these diseases, and technology developed will enable drug screening to identify new therapeutic drugs.

Yorkshire Cancer Research offers January sale on Run for All events

05/01/2012 10:36:12 +0000

We're offering aspiring runners the chance to kick-start their way into a healthy new year with a discount entry to all three Jane Tomlinson Run for All events.

Participants can now buy a season ticket for the 10k runs in Leeds, York and Hull for just £40 throughout the month of January - a saving of £26.

The trio of runs will begin on 3 June 2012 with an exciting course around Hull, when thousands of participants will travel past The Deep, through the Marina and cross the finish line at Queen's Gate.

The 'original' run in Leeds city centre is set to take place for the sixth time on 8 July 2012, with almost 50,000 people expected to take part from across the county.

And to end the summer on 5 August 2012, the city of York will play host to a picturesque 10k run, with a route including the famous York Minster and the beautiful River Ouse.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is an official charity partner for the Leeds event and last year 527 people took part on behalf of the charity. Runners will have the chance to meet other supporters, as well as charity staff and volunteers, in the charity marquee at the finish line.

Emma Young, Head of Events at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "We're really excited to be involved in the Run for All events and we're delighted to be able to offer this incredible discount. All three events have a brilliant atmosphere with great support from local people, so come along and help people in Yorkshire beat cancer."

To sign up for the season ticket, complete our online entry form or call 01423 877210 to register over the phone. All participants will receive a fundraising pack including T-shirt, sponsor forms and fundraising guide.

Funded clinician named University of Leeds Postgraduate Researcher of the Year

02/01/2012 11:48:00 +0000

Yorkshire Cancer Research-funded pathologist Dr Nick West fought off tough competition to be named the 2011 University of Leeds Postgraduate Researcher of the Year.

His three-year project was one of nine outstanding presentations made at the university's SHOWCASE conference on 13 December. The awards aim to celebrate the quality and impact of the work of postgraduate researchers at Leeds. Each faculty put forward a nominee for the award based upon the impact or potential impact of their research projects in the academic world and their wider societal and economic benefits.

Dr West worked under the supervision of Professor Phil Quirke in the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine (LIMM). His research investigated the importance of surgical technique in patients undergoing bowel cancer surgery. By assessing the quality and amount of material removed during the operation and analysing the relationship of this to patient survival, Dr West was able to deduce that improved surgical technique could increase the survival rate.

Good surgery was identified as more meticulous and involved removing more normal material around the cancer. This accounted for around one third of bowel cancer operations undertaken in Leeds. These good operations resulted in 15% more patients surviving for at least five years when compared to the poorer operations.

This research suggests that surgical training programmes should improve the quality of bowel cancer surgery and therefore patient survival. A move towards better bowel cancer surgery, could improve the number of patients surviving for at least five years after bowel cancer surgery from 62% to 89%. That translates into approximately 7,000 lives which could potentially be saved every year in the UK, and many more worldwide.

The work stimulated collaborative research with world leading bowel cancer centres in order to identify the optimal surgical techniques. Dr West subsequently published studies in leading cancer journals with groups in Germany and Japan showing that excellent surgery can result in up to 89% of patients surviving for five years. Following these studies, the Danish Government funded a national compulsory surgical education programme to improve the quality of bowel cancer surgery in Denmark. Early results suggest that quality has markedly improved and this should be associated with a significant improvement in patient survival. Yorkshire Cancer Research has subsequently agreed to fund a similar training programme for the Yorkshire region of the UK in July 2012.

Much of the research conducted to date has been published in high impact peer reviewed journals including Lancet Oncology and Journal of Clinical Oncology. Dr West has presented this work at numerous national and international meetings and was awarded the Royal College of Pathologists histopathology research medal and the British Oncological Association young investigator of the year award in 2010.

Dr West said: "It is a great honour to receive this award, particularly in light of the very high standard of competitors. Bowel cancer is a common disease and over the last few years we have developed a strong international collaborative research group led by Leeds. Our work is already starting to change practice around the world and it is expected that this will make a real difference to patient survival over the next few years."

For more information on the work of Dr Nick West please contact the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine at: limm.admin@leeds.ac.uk or visit the LIMM web pages.

Dancing couple celebrate seven years raising money for charity

19/12/2011 12:21:46 +0000

A couple from Moor Monkton, York, are celebrating seven years of dancing the night away to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research this Christmas.

Jack and Sylvia Parkes have been holding sequence, old-time and ballroom dances at Bishop Monkton village hall since 2004, raising nearly £2,500 for the regional charity.

The pair, aged 75 and 74, were initially inspired to start dancing by Jack's large collection of CDs, and they soon realised it was a great way to stay healthy and meet new people.

Sylvia explained: "Jack had always wanted to hold dances. We grew up in the age when couples danced together, but we didn't do it for many years after we had children.

"We really enjoy it and it keeps us so fit. I don't think people realise how many men and women in our age group go dancing. There are people still doing it at 90! We're very surprised when we see some of them get up dance - it's got to be doing us good."

When Sylvia was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, the dances became even more important to her as a way of leaving her troubles behind.

Although Sylvia overcame her experience with the disease, sadly her niece Debbie Jones died aged 47 after suffering from breast cancer in 2010. Sylvia had also lost her sister, Shirley Hunter, to ovarian cancer in 2000.

Sylvia continued: "The specialist told me to keep dancing; it's the best thing for you. It makes you forget about everything and helps you to get better."

About 80 people now attend the dances, which take place twice a month with the help of Jack and Sylvia's friends Ray and Morag Mott. The sessions cost £3 if recorded music is played and £4-£5 with live music. A raffle is held to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research, and either a buffet is provided or dancers enjoy a sit-down supper together.

Sylvia added: "We'll keep going as long as we can keep going, but we'd really like to attract younger ones to help the tradition continue into the future."

If you are interested in attending the dances, you can contact Jack and Sylvia on 01904 737923.

Handmade clangers raise £2,000 for Yorkshire Cancer Research

01/12/2011 08:58:41 +0000

Handmade clangers helped Yorkshire Cancer Research to raise nearly £2,000 at last weekend's Twisted Thread Knitting and Stitching Show.

In the weeks running up to the four-day event, which attracts thousands of people to Harrogate International Centre every year, the Harrogate-based charity asked knitting and stitching enthusiasts to knit or sew their own version of their loveable pink mascots - popular 1970s TV characters The Clangers!

Nearly 50 entries were submitted and the competition prize for the 'Best Dressed' Clanger went to Wendy Barrington from Knaresborough, who was presented with a Hamper of Yorkshire Fayre from Farrah's for her mini version of Captain Jack Sparrow.

All the entries - which included a Father Christmas, scientist and Elvis himself - were displayed at the exhibition and were available to purchase along with the charity's official Clanger key-rings and badges, Christmas cards and calendars.

Money raised during the show, which totalled £1,833.79, will go towards funding world-class research, treatment and diagnosis projects throughout the region.

Sally Crerar, Head of Community Fundraising at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "It was an honour to be involved in such a popular event that showcases such a huge range of textile crafts.

"We were absolutely delighted with the quality of the entries we received. Lots of hard work and imagination went into creating each and every Clanger and we looked forward to meeting them as they arrived in the post!

"I would like to thank everybody who took the time to enter our competition and all those who were generous enough to give our Clangers a good home."

PhD student drops in to thank local school for their fundraising efforts

30/11/2011 10:24:35 +0000

Biochemistry graduate and PhD student Emma Hesketh dropped into a local primary school to talk about the research she's carrying out thanks to their donation to Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Belmont Grosvenor School in Birstwith, near Harrogate, raised £17,300 at their summer Enchanted Ball and chose to divide the money between the school's PTA and Yorkshire Cancer Research - with a cheque for £8,660 handed over to the cancer charity.

That cash has enabled Emma to start her three-year PhD course at the University of York where she is one of five promising young science students to benefit from Yorkshire Cancer Research's PhD Studentship scheme. The scheme supports postgraduates pursuing a career in cancer research - an area of study which is currently underfunded, forcing young talent to follow alternative career paths.

During her three-year course, Emma will look at the way genes are copied before cells divide to produce new cells, so that treatments can be developed to block this process from happening in cancer cells. She says: "I've loved science from the moment I stepped foot in the lab. Following my degree in biochemistry I decided I wanted to do something beneficial with everything I had learned.

"Many people suffer from cancer and I really wanted to make a difference. The research we are already doing is so interesting and we are so close to making breakthroughs - I really wanted to get more involved and help push it that little bit further," she added. "I think Belmont Grosvenor School has done a fantastic job in raising so much money and I'm very happy to be able to talk to the children about my research.

"I think it's really important to make children aware of science and get them excited about the opportunities they could have in the future."

Julia King, former Chair of the PTA, said: "The PTA committee was delighted to support such a worthwhile charity this year.

"Everyone worked tirelessly to raise this magnificent sum. We are thrilled to be able to support Emma in her studies to understand more about cancer, and we hope that her visit will have inspired a few budding scientists.

"Our sincere thanks are extended to everyone who contributed to the success of the Belmont Grosvenor Enchanted Ball."

Hobbs fashion night boosts funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research

16/11/2011 09:35:18 +0000

Last week the Harrogate Committee of Yorkshire Cancer Research held a fashion show at the popular clothes shop Hobbs, based in the town centre.

Guests were invited to enjoy an evening of champagne and nibbles and committee members took to the floor to model the stores latest designs.

The evening was a great success and raised £580 for Yorkshire Cancer Research. Guests also had the opportunity to take part in a raffle with the chance to win £200 worth of Hobbs vouchers.

Jane Thompson, guest at the event, spoke about the evening: "It was a fantastic night for a fantastic cause, I really enjoyed it, the evening had a lovely relaxed atmosphere and was very well organised."

Rachel Castle, committee member explained: "Yorkshire Cancer Research is the largest regional medical research charity and our last accounts noted a spend of £5M on research.

"The Harrogate Committee has been formed to not only raise vital funds but also awareness and our profile in the area."

See more photos from the night in our Facebook album or if you'd like to get involved in future events like this, find out more about your local committee.

Help Harrogate sparkle with our Symphony of Lights scheme

11/11/2011 14:47:20 +0000

Yorkshire Cancer Research is once again giving members of the public the chance to contribute to Harrogate's winter wonderland of colourful lights.

Our Symphony of Lights scheme, held in conjunction with Harrogate Borough Council, offers the opportunity to buy tree lights on The Stray in memory or celebration of a loved one, family member or special event.

The lights, which will be lit for 50 years and maintained by the council, range from £10 for a single light, £100 for a garland of lights and £1,500 for a whole tree of lights.

The popular lighting display is currently on show five months of the year from October to March, and last year the charity raised £18,000 from the initiative.

Those who bought lights last year were invited to a special celebration held at Trinity Methodist Church, Trinity Road, on Thursday, November 3, which was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrogate Councillor Les Ellington and his wife Christine.

Organist Mr David Wilberforce played light music in the church while guests enjoyed the chance to meet each other and light a candle in memory or celebration of their friends and family.

Sally Crerar, Head of Community Fundraising at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "Once again Harrogate is sparkling with fairy lights! Thanks to Yorkshire Cancer research and those who bought lights last year, there are 10 more lit trees this year and we hope to expand on that number.

"As well as contributing to Harrogate's beautiful winter lights, the scheme also raises money for our world-class cancer research, treatment and diagnosis projects throughout Yorkshire."

Visit our Symphony of Lights page for more information.

Harrogate's Stray bonfire raises thousands of pounds for Yorkshire Cancer Research

10/11/2011 11:20:23 +0000

An incredible £11,264.70 was raised for our world-class research, treatment and diagnosis projects at Harrogate's Stray bonfire last weekend.

The event, organised by Harrogate and District Round Table and sponsored by Engage Mutual Assurance and Harrogate Borough Council, included a spectacular fireworks display, huge bonfire and food and drink provided by Harrogate and Nidderdale District Scouts.

More than 10,000 people from across the region turned up to enjoy the event's 40th anniversary celebrations and they donated a record-breaking amount of money to a collection held for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Sally Crerar, Head of Community Fundraising at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "On behalf of Yorkshire Cancer Research I would like to thank the Harrogate and District Round Table for choosing our charity to benefit from the magnificent collection taken at the Stray bonfire on Saturday evening.

"The evening was fantastic with more than 70 volunteers collecting in their illuminated buckets amongst a huge crowd of over 10,000 people. A staggering amount was raised and I would like to thank, in addition, all those who collected and the general public for their most generous donations."

Paul Horner, Chairman of Community Services for the Harrogate Round Table, added: "I am truly humbled. This year's collection certainly smashed all recent records and by some margin - almost doubling the money raised at the 2010 event. We would like to thank everyone who attended the bonfire and gave so generously - it was an evening truly befitting of our 40th anniversary."

Pictures by Christopher Morris.

Charity fashion show raises record amount for Yorkshire Cancer Research

07/11/2011 11:07:12 +0000

An annual fashion show held by leading designer fashion boutique Robinsons of Bawtry has raised a record-breaking amount of money to aid important cancer research in Yorkshire.

The fashion show raised a staggering £16,866.00, taking the grand total raised for Yorkshire Cancer Research over a 19 year period to £227,595.24.

"We are so pleased that we have received huge support from all our customers to make our yearly contribution to this fantastic charity. Special thanks must go to the team at the China Rose who, once again, played a huge part in making the event a consummate success," said Russell Jones proprietor Robinsons Bawtry. "It was a superb way to celebrate our 25th year in business and also provide funding to PhD student James Hackland to allow him to continue his studies at the University of Sheffield, into the development and treatment of cancer in children and young people."

The event saw a glittering catwalk show of some of Robinsons finest labels and guests enjoyed a fine Chinese banquet, charity auction and entertainment from soul and motown band 'The Sally Army' headed up by twice X Factor boot camp finalist, Sally Dawson.

It is the first year that Yorkshire Cancer Research was able to specify exactly where the money raised from the event would be invested.

"Once again an enormous thank you must go to Russell and his wife Wendy, as well as everyone who has helped to organise this brilliant event," commented Sally Crerar head of community fundraising at Yorkshire Cancer Research. "The money raised by them this year will help James during his three year project to progress and consolidate the work that our research scientists do to understand the cause, diagnosis and treatment of cancer."

The fashion show, which was launched by previous Robinsons owner, Tony Robinson, in memory of his first wife, has become a glittering social event.

Robinsons is located at 2 South Parade, Bawtry, Doncaster, DN10 6JH and the team can be contacted on 01302 711477 or by visiting www.robinsonsofbawtry.com where you can also shop online.

Sheffield launches new cancer research centre

25/10/2011 13:49:27 +0000

Yorkshire Cancer Research and Cancer Research UK have come together for the first time to fund a new cancer research centre in Sheffield.

The Sheffield Cancer Research Centre becomes the latest link in a unique chain of Cancer Research UK Centres that have been launched across the UK.

These Cancer Centres draw together world class research and medical expertise to provide the best possible results for cancer patients nationwide. Cancer Research UK, the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Yorkshire Cancer Research (YCR) are all partners in this new Centre.

This latest Centre will be have its clinical base at Weston Park Cancer Hospital - one of only three dedicated cancer hospitals in the country, and link with laboratory facilities both within the Medical School and across the University of Sheffield. It will help set the pace for national and international progress in many different types of cancer, with particular interest in breast and lung cancers and a strong focus on the spread of cancers to the bones.

The Centre will foster strong links with the local community, increasing awareness of the world-class cancer research taking place right on their doorstep.

Scientists at the Centre will also be investigating the fundamental biology of cancer - understanding how the disease starts and how it grows and spreads. Researchers will also study how cancers interact with the cells and tissues that surround them, and how they grow a blood supply. By understanding this 'tumour micro-environment', researchers are developing exciting new approaches for treating cancer.

Find out more and see what those involved are saying about the new centre here.

Collaboration is the key to the success of the Centre, which will enable researchers who do not normally work together to exchange ideas and information more easily. The Centre will also help train the next generation of cancer researchers through studentships and fellowships, continuing Sheffield's strong tradition of training and development.

Local businessman, Dave Wickett, 64, of Fulwood, is receiving ongoing treatment for myeloma and is particularly delighted with news of the Centre.

In January last year, the owner of Kelham Island Brewery was diagnosed with myeloma, a type of cancer that develops from plasma cells found in bone marrow. After chemotherapy treatment, he was in remission but the cancer returned in February this year with a tumour on his spine, leaving him in a wheelchair for life.

Dave said: "It's great that the level of expertise, knowledge and collaboration in Sheffield has been recognised in this way and it really highlights the importance of research in our city for which I am busting with pride. The Centre will help the fantastic doctors and researchers put into practice what they are learning which will help cancer patients across South Yorkshire in the future.

"Everyone wants to see cancer cured and I am sure Sheffield people will also be proud to know that the city is at the forefront of the work helping to make this happen."

Head of the new Centre, Professor Rob Coleman, YCR Professor of Medical Oncology based at Weston Park Cancer Hospital and the University of Sheffield, said: "This is an exciting development for cancer research in the Sheffield area. The new Centre will help build on Sheffield's world class research and bring together a variety of researchers and clinicians to work together to improve the lives of cancer patients across South Yorkshire and beyond. By building closer links between scientists and doctors we want to increase the pace of research, leading to improved treatments for patients."

Cancer Research UK and Yorkshire Cancer Research already support research in Sheffield, but Cancer Research UK is set to increase its contribution to over £2m a year to help develop the Centre. Yorkshire Cancer Research will increase its investment in Sheffield to over £1.5million per year.

Carole Ogle, acting chief executive, Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "This new Centre offers fantastic collaborative opportunities for researchers and clinicians to work together to strengthen treatments for cancer patients, within the region. It is thanks to the continued generosity of our Yorkshire supporters which has enabled us to increase our spend within South Yorkshire and provide funding for this Cancer Centre."

Harpal Kumar, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: "Huge progress has been made in beating cancer since the charity was formed and we're determined to carry on. Funding these centres of excellence is one of the charity's priorities and will enable us to work towards the goals we have set to improve the treatment and survival of cancer patients. But we continue to welcome the generous donations we receive from the public to ensure we can continue to build on what we have started today."

Find out more and see what those involved are saying about the new centre here.

Scientists investigate whether silver could be used as a treatment for cancer

21/10/2011 11:18:32 +0000

Yorkshire Cancer Research has awarded scientists at the University of Bradford and the University of Leeds over £44,000 to carry out research into whether silver could be used as a treatment for cancer.

Drugs containing metals such as platinum and copper have already been proven as effective treatments for cancer, but they cause severe side effects and are very harmful to normal tissues.

Silver, which has a lower toxicity level than other metals, has also been shown to have anti-cancer properties, and a series of silver complexes have been created which kill cancer cells in the laboratory.

Silver complexes have not been extensively studied before compared to other metals in cancer therapy. The reason for this is unclear but in the laboratory, scientists have demonstrated that silver compounds may have some potential as anti-cancer drugs.

Dr Roger Phillips, from the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics at the University of Bradford and Dr Charlotte Willans from the University of Leeds, are now planning to study this process further to find out how exactly the compounds kill cancer cells. Dr Phillips said: "Silver based complexes represent a new class of drugs that have not been widely studied before. In order to develop these as potential drugs for use in humans, we need to know how these compounds are working and whether they are better or similar to existing metal based drugs.

"Without this knowledge, development of these compounds as cancer treatments will be difficult.

"Silver is inherently well tolerated and doesn't cause the same level of toxicity to normal tissues as other heavy metals. The compounds we have developed therefore may be equally effective as other platinum based drugs but with reduced toxicity to normal tissues.

"This project will determine how these compounds work and start to address the key issue of whether they are selectively active against cancer cells.

"We have chosen silver because it has anti-cancer activity but it is inherently non-toxic to normal tissues. This project is therefore exciting because there is the possibility that we can develop a drug that is as active against tumours as cisplatin but will be less toxic to normal tissues."

Yorkshire Cancer Research funds world-class research, treatment and diagnosis projects throughout the region. If you would like more information about the work the charity does please call us on 01423 501269.

Take a Yuletude Stride to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research

20/10/2011 15:11:18 +0000

This year Yorkshire Cancer Research is organising a Yuletide Stride, which will hopefully see hundreds of Santa's and reindeers taking to the streets of Hull to raise money for the Yorkshire based charity.

Runners, joggers and walkers are invited to take part on the 27th November 2011 at 10am.

The circular 5km route will start at St Stephen's Shopping Centre in Hull and go up to and around the KC Stadium. The entry fee of £10 includes either a Santa suit or reindeer's antlers and t-shirt.

This really is a fun day for all the family, as all ages and abilities are encouraged to take part. Mince pies will be served as Santa and his reindeers cross the finishing line and medals will be given to those completing the Yuletide Stride.

This is the first time Yorkshire Cancer Research has held an event of this kind, Emma Young, Head of Events, at Yorkshire Cancer Research said: "We're really excited about the Yuletide Stride as it's the first Christmas run we've ever organised, and we're really pleased that it is going to be held in Hull where we have a great supporter base of local people. She added: "I would like to thank St Stephen's Shopping Centre for its amazing support in helping us organise this fun event".

Yorkshire Cancer Research funds world-class research, treatment and diagnosis projects throughout the region.

If you would like to join in the fun or would like more information please contact the events team on 01423 877210 or visit the website www.yuletidestride.com.

Ilkley airline man runs the New York marathon to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research

09/10/2011 15:13:00 +0000

Andrew Merrick, from Ilkley, will be taking a vacation from his day job as finance director of locally based leisure airline Jet2.com, and taking to the streets of New York in a bid to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

The New York City Marathon which takes place on Sunday 6th November 2011 is one of the world's great road races with sensational views of the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings.

Andrew has chosen to raise money for the Harrogate based charity because both his parents sadly died of cancer.

Andrew said: "I started running again in October 2008 when my father died of cancer. I promised him I would stay fit. Shortly afterwards my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and she died earlier this year. So now I am running for both of them."

The 50 year old is no stranger to marathons, having previously completed the London Marathon - but with its spectacular bridges and the hills in Central Park, the New York route is considered even tougher than the London event.

Andrew added: "After a few glasses of wine during a dinner just before Christmas 2000, I found myself committing to run the London marathon in April 2001 just before my 40th birthday. Since October 2008, running has become an important part of my life, with the support of some good friends from the Ilkley Harriers. So to celebrate my 50th, I will be running the New York Marathon and raising money for Yorkshire Cancer Research."

Andrew is funding his own trip, so all contributions will go towards supporting further research into cancer. To date Andrew has raised over £1600, to sponsor him please visit http://www.justgiving.com/andrew-merrick.

Yorkshire Cancer Research funds world-class research, treatment and diagnosis projects throughout the region.

Leeds businessman runs half marathon to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research

23/09/2011 15:07:13 +0000

Tim Allen, 34, of AV Commercial donned his running shoes to take part in the Great North Run, helping to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research, the company's chosen charity.

The half marathon was Tim's first run and he said it will not be his last.

He said: "Both the run and the training were a great challenge, but so too was the fundraising. As such I am looking forward to supporting Yorkshire Cancer Research and Team YCR at future events!"

tim, Construction Health and Safety Consultant at AV Commercial, who provide renewable energy technology for all types of heating and hot water applications to both domestic and commercial markets, along with construction consultancy services, has been indirectly affected by cancer though family and friends.

This formed part of the reason for him wanting to run the half marathon, as well as describing himself as a 'Yorkshire Lad'.

He said: "I'm proud of my northern roots so I wanted to support a local charity and raise money to help local people beat cancer and assist funding for further research."

Tim prepared for the run by training three times a week, running on the treadmill and doing weights. He also went circuit training and played football once a week.

He explained that his location also helped with his preparation: "I live in North Leeds and if you know the area you will appreciate that it is quite hilly. My training runs ranged from 3 - 10 miles and were really good practice.

Thankfully the route that the GNR takes is not quite so hilly, so my training was ideal practice."

Tim who ran with his close friend and training partner, Ian Simmons, said about the day: "The atmosphere was amazing! We had a fantastic day, a really well organised event and a BIG thank you to the local residents who make the event that little bit extra special, their support was greatly appreciated.

An avid Leeds United fan and film buff, Tim added: "At AV Commercial we are proud to support Yorkshire Cancer Research and as our chosen charity and we look forward to continue raising vital funds on their behalf."

Yorkshire Cancer Research funds world-class research, treatment and diagnosis projects throughout the region. To date Tim has managed to raise £469.00, but is still waiting for contributions from family and friends. If you would like to make a donation please visit www.justgiving.com/ycr-timallen

Cancer patients and clinicians to have their say in what we fund

23/08/2011 13:27:57 +0000

Yorkshire Cancer Research is giving the public the chance to have their say on how we spend our money.

We are looking for people affected by cancer and health professionals who treat or work with cancer patients to join a new advisory group which will help to guide our management and trustees in their decision-making.

We hope the move will bring an increased emphasis on funding work that will directly benefit patients in Yorkshire.

John Abram, Trustee of Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "Yorkshire Cancer Research already has an exhaustive scientific evaluation process carried out by its Scientific Advisory Committee, an eminent panel of research scientists from across the UK.

"The creation of the new Stakeholder Involvement Group, which will include lay members and clinicians, will not alter the way that panel operates and we will, as in the past, only fund research that is deemed to be of the highest calibre.

"But the new advisory group will bring an extra dimension to the decision-making process, in line with the charity's strategy to focus even more strongly on spending our money on projects that are closely aligned to patient benefits and with an emphasis on people living in Yorkshire."

The Stakeholder Involvement Group will include eight members and will be chaired by one of the charity's trustees.

Members will include lay people who have had direct contact with cancer during the last five years, either as a patient or close friend or relative of a patient, and medical professionals that are involved with the diagnosis, treatment, care or support of people with cancer.

All members will be required to understand the basics of the science behind cancer research, and be able to translate their experiences into the wide picture of the disease.

It is expected that members will need to dedicate a minimum of 25 hours per year to carrying out the voluntary role.

Morgan Williams, Commercial Development Officer at Yorkshire Cancer Research, added: "Strategically, we have been looking to improve the quality of our decision-making process and to involve our stakeholders to a greater degree in how we spend our money.

"The new group seeks to address both these objectives and we are casting our net widely to seek highly motivated people to help us deliver these goals."

Those interested in joining the group should urgently contact Mr Williams on 01423 501269 or by emailing hq@ycr.org.uk for more information and an application form.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a selection meeting before the final members are chosen.

Apply for a Clinical Research Training Fellowship Award

16/08/2011 15:55:59 +0000

Yorkshire Cancer Research is pleased to announce its application process for Clinical Research Training Fellowship Awards is now open.

These awards are designed to identify the clinical cancer researchers of the future and allow doctors or dentists to study for a PhD or MD.

Candidates must show exceptional talent and a commitment to make cancer research part of their future career plan.

Applicants are advised that research excellence, value for money, and alignment with the charity's strategy are taken into account in the review process.

Applications will not normally exceed £200,000 over three years. For further information, please read the Awards Information Framework and application form available at http://www.yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk/research/apply_for_a_grant.aspx

Yorkshire Cancer Research - working in Yorkshire for a world without cancer.

Research Spend on Cancer Doubles Within a Decade

08/07/2011 15:05:00 +0000

Yorkshire Cancer Research is part of The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) established in April 2001.

Partners of the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) spent more than £500m on cancer research last year, nearly double the amount spent almost ten years ago, according to new figures* published today (Wednesday 29th June 2011).

And the amount invested in the three cancers with the poorest survival** has increased even more over the past decade. More than four times as much money is now being spent on oesophageal cancer and more than three times as much on cancers of the lung and pancreas.

The report has been published to mark the 10 year anniversary of the NCRI, which is an organisation made up of 21 government and charity partners as well as the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. Its role is to promote joint planning and coordination for cancer research in the UK.

Professor Dame Janet Husband, chair of the NCRI, said: "The amount spent on cancer research has risen year on year since the NCRI was formed a decade ago. This is thanks to the British public who make generous donations to cancer charities, and the commitment of government."

In 2002, when the NCRI first calculated the total spend on cancer research, the figure was £257m. The most recent data from 2010 shows NCRI partners spent £504m.

Around 40 per cent of the money goes towards basic research, which aims to understand the biology of cancer, which can then lead to the development of new treatments. And a quarter is spent directly on treatmentrelated research.

During the last decade, research by NCRI partners have contributed to the global fight against cancer and brought many advances to cancer patients in the UK. These include new tools to detect cancer such as PET imaging***, new treatments like herceptin for breast cancer and a new national screening programme for bowel cancer.

Around 60 per cent of the research is relevant to all types of cancer. Common cancers such as breast, bowel and prostate cancer, as well as leukaemia, still get a relatively high level of funding compared to other cancer types. Of the 40 per cent of research which is specific to a particular type of cancer, breast cancer receives 20 per cent, leukaemia 15 per cent, bowel cancer 10 per cent and prostate cancer eight per cent.

But there have been improvements for cancers with the lowest survival rates - pancreatic, oesophageal and lung cancer. Although these cancers receive a smaller share of the funding, the amount spent on research into them has increased more than threefold.

Dr Jane Cope, director of the NCRI, said: "Because the portfolio has grown overall, it has been possible for research in some cancers to be boosted without having to cut back in other successful areas of research.

"It's the NCRI's job to ask where there are gaps in funding and to ensure the big questions in cancer research are being addressed. The most funded cancers have remained at the top of the table but this report is evidence that our partners and the researchers they support are spotting those research needs and starting to plug the gaps.

"Given the current financial climate, it's unlikely research spend will continue to grow at the same rate. But whatever the income, NCRI partners will continue to give priority to areas with the greatest research need."

* "Celebrating a decade of progress through partnership - the 10 year anniversary of NCRI and NCRN."

** Cancers of the pancreas, lung and oesophagus have the lowest 5-yr relative survival rates for both men and women of 21 cancer sites routinely reported by the Office for National Statistics. See www. statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/can0410.pdf

*** Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Thanks to decades of research, survival from cancer has doubled in the last 40 years. The NCRI has set up several important national initiatives over the past 10 years to boost certain areas of research, including cancer prevention, radiotherapy, survivorship and end of life care.

Source: http://www.ncri.org.uk/includes/Publications/pressreleases/2011NCRIPressRelease_RESEARCH_SPEND_DOUBLES.pdf

Leeds Researchers Test Benefits of Fish Oil in Preventing Bowel Cancer Spread

01/07/2011 14:57:22 +0000

Researchers from the University of Leeds will carry out a series of experiments to see whether fish oil can prevent or treat the spread of bowel cancer to the liver.

The cancer scientists will test the effectiveness of pure Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) - a naturally occurring omega-3 fish oil component which is widely available in mixed fish oil preparations in health stores and supermarkets nationwide.

Gastroenterologist Professor Mark Hull, based at the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, will use results from the initial experiments to design a future clinical trial to test the effect of pure EPA in humans at risk of or with metastatic bowel cancer.

The research is being funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research and it will hopefully back up existing evidence from a previous clinical trial from Leeds that showed that EPA may prevent large bowel polyps, the benign precursors of large bowel cancer.

"We and others have already demonstrated that EPA might have beneficial effects at a later stage after development of malignancy," said Professor Hull.

"These new tests will help us establish whether EPA can prevent the spread of large bowel cancer to the liver, the commonest site of spread and eventual cancer-related death which we call metastasis.

"The tests will also help us establish how EPA reduces growth of established liver metastases in an experimental system prior to design of the clinical trial."

The trial published last year, which involved 55 patients with the rare inherited condition Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) thought to be responsible for about one in every 100 bowel cancers, saw a significant reduction in the size and number of pre-cancerous growths, known as polyps, in those patients who took a two gram daily dose of EPA in the free fatty acid form over a six month period.

Another promising study currently being led by the Leeds team involving nearly a 1000 patients, is investigating whether taking EPA alone, or together with aspirin, can help stop pre-cancerous growths from developing in the bowel.

BBC Look North's Harry Gration Raises Awareness of Prostate Cancer

27/06/2011 10:59:18 +0000

BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration joined hundreds of runners in York's Rowntree Park to help raise awareness of prostate cancer and impact it has on men's lives.

The R U Taking The P2 event on Sunday saw nearly 300 men from across Yorkshire run, walk and in some cases sing their way around a 5km course in York city centre to raise vital funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research who fund the UK's leading expert on prostate cancer stem cell research, Professor Norman Maitland, at the University of York.

Professor Maitland, took part in the race himself along with a six-strong group of singers from York Opera who belted out tunes from Ruddigore and Tadcaster butcher Nick Devine who ran the course whilst precariously balancing a tray of meat pies.

Co-organiser Brian Hughes, 58, who is also president of York Knavesmire Harriers, said: "The turn-out was absolutely brilliant for our second event this year and we feel it has really succeeded in its aims and raised tens of thousands of pounds for life-saving prostate cancer research specifically at York.

"Men tend not to talk about cancer as much as women do so we are looking to do what we can to change that with some of those taking part in the run suffering from cancer themselves or having lost loved ones.

"We purposefully decided to hold this year's event on the same day as a woman only 5k at York racecourse because us men really do need to get a lot more united and have specific charity event of our own like this.

"I can't wait to see how many chaps enter next year to help us raise even more money for Yorkshire Cancer Research," he said.

(Picture caption: R U Taking the P2 organiser Brian Hughes with BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration and co race organiser Richard Smith) Photography: Wendy Binns.

Yorkshire Cycling Pro Backs Annual Charity Bike Ride in Aid of Yorkshire Cancer Research

07/06/2011 12:48:18 +0000

ONE of Yorkshire's top cycling professionals has backed a charity bike ride which raises £30,000 for world-class cancer research, treatment and diagnosis projects throughout the region every year.

Emma Silversides, who currently stars as principal rider of the Belgium-based Sengers Ladies Cycling Team, is encouraging keen cyclists from across the county to take part in Yorkshire Cancer Research's Pedal for Pounds North bike ride, which takes place on Sunday, September 4.

Now in its fifth year, the popular event invites participants to choose from a 25-mile ride from Harewood House, near Leeds, to Collingham and back, or a 50-mile route which extends to Otley and includes stunning views of Lindley Wood Reservoir.

Emma, from Cawood, North Yorkshire, is a talented artist and has donated six signed prints of famous cyclists such as Graeme Obree and Marco Pantani to give away as a competition prize.

She has also donated 100 prints featuring former cancer-sufferer Lance Armstrong during a stage of the Tour de France when he was in the leader's jersey, worth nearly £3,000, which will be sold on the charity's website.

Emma, who lost her grandfather to cancer, said: "I know for sure that I am not alone when I say that I lost a precious family member to cancer; I think that it is fair to say that everyone has been touched by this disease in one way or another. Therefore I wholeheartedly support Pedal for Pounds; what better way to raise money for this worthy cause than getting out on your bike and enjoying the stunning scenery that our county offers.

She added: "Here in Belgium, where I base myself for my sport, cycling truly is a way of life. Huge groups in the lanes, along the canal towpaths and on the specific cycle routes. It is a social event with the added addition of health benefits.

"Pedal for Pounds goes some way to replicating this and I hope that through participating you can discover the pleasures of this fantastic sport while simultaneously supporting a very worthy charity."

Emma Young, Head of Events at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "We are delighted that one of Yorkshire's best cyclists has chosen to support our Pedal for Pounds event. With Emma's help, we hope to achieve a record number of entries for this year's bike ride and raise even more for our life-saving work.

"Sadly, Yorkshire currently has one of the worst cancer survival rates within the UK which is due a lack of funding provided by the government and national charities to internationally renowned researchers and clinicians within the region.

"Every year Yorkshire Cancer Research spends about £6m on cancer research and we rely on our supporters to ensure that we can help to fill the gap and continue to save Yorkshire lives."

Entry to Pedal for Pounds costs £18 and all participants will receive a sponsorship pack, training guide, T-shirt, certificate and medal. Refreshments will be provided en route and following the event.

All sponsorship raised will go towards developing new scientific knowledge that will save lives through earlier diagnosis, prevention, and better treatment of cancer.

Enter Pedal for Pounds North today

Cancer-Causing Chemicals in South Yorkshire's Steel Industry to Be Put Under Spotlight

24/05/2011 15:55:18 +0000

SCIENTISTS who believe cancer-causing chemicals are being used in South Yorkshire's steel industry hope to gather evidence during a major three-year investigation funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Bladder cancer, which is caused primarily by smoking or exposure to workplace chemicals, is particularly common in places like Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley, where incidence and mortality rates are higher than the national average.

Some chemicals found in industries such as the rubber and dye trades are already known to cause the disease and are used in a controlled, safe environment.

But researchers at the University of Sheffield think the region's metal industries could be using these chemicals in a less controlled manner or using chemicals that are not yet known to cause cancer, and are hoping that their study could lead to changes in health and safety law.

The outcome of the investigation could also mean compensation for bladder cancer patients across Yorkshire.

Mr James Catto, who is leading the investigation, said: "Bladder cancer is a common and serious problem in Yorkshire. The trend for smoking is the same in most parts of the country, so we believe there is an occupational factor causing this.

"During our investigation we will treat normal cells with metals that people are exposed to during work, to see if they cause the cancerous changes in the test tube.

"Alongside the molecular study, we will conduct a direct patient survey which will involve taking occupational histories from 2,000 bladder cancer patients at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

"We hope that by the end of these investigations we will have evidence to help the government bring in new legislation to protect workers."

As well as improving the way chemicals are used, the team hopes to identify those at high risk of developing cancer so it can be caught at an early stage or prevented, and develop treatments that could minimise the toxicity of the chemicals.

Dr Kathryn Scott, Research Liaison Officer for Yorkshire Cancer Research, added: "The hope is that key chemicals which cause cells to switch from normal to cancerous can be identified so that workers can be protected from exposure in the future and ultimately reduce the incidence rates of this common cancer in South Yorkshire."

Leeds Scientists lead groundbreaking investigation into cervical cancer treatment

16/05/2011 12:41:22 +0000

A PIONEERING investigation into the treatment of cervical cancer will take place at the University of Leeds following a major advancement in the study of the disease.

The project, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, will focus on using therapeutic drugs to target a specific protein called E5, which is produced by the human papilloma virus (HPV).

Scientists at the university recently became the first people to produce sufficient amounts of the protein, which is capable of transforming cells and initiating cancer, in the laboratory, enabling researchers to study it in detail for the first time.

HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer in women in the developed world and the most common cancer in women in the developing world. The virus is also associated with head and neck cancers and anal and penile cancers, and so affects men as well as women, although not all people infected by the virus will develop cancer.

Since September 2008 there has been a national programme to vaccinate teenage girls against HPV, but the vaccine has no effect on those already infected by the virus and it is believed that a significant decline in cases of cervical cancer will not become apparent until 2040.

The team of scientists in Leeds have already discovered that the E5 protein forms a ring like structure that is able to puncture cell membranes, creating what is known as a 'virus encoded ion channel'.

They hope to target therapeutic agents at that channel to try and block the pore, in a similar fashion to the way anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu are used to treat influenza.

Dr Andrew Macdonald, who is leading the study, said: "We are really excited about this study. Very little is known about this protein because no one has ever really been able to express it in the lab in sufficient quantities to study it, but we have recently learned how to do that.

"There is a major drive in the HPV community to develop therapeutics, hand in hand with the cervical cancer vaccination, but the question has always been 'what do you target?' We have now found a function that we can use to target these drugs.

"We are really grateful that Yorkshire Cancer Research has given us the money to fund this project. It will enable us to create a valuable tool kit which will help us to increase our understanding of the E5 protein."

Research into the E5 protein at Leeds is led by Dr Andrew Macdonald, in collaboration with Professors Mike McPherson, Eric Blair and Dr Nicola Stonehouse in the Faculty of Biological Sciences and Dr Richard Foster in the School of Chemistry.

Spread of oral cancer to be explored in new study

11/05/2011 15:52:12 +0000

ORAL cancer and the way it spreads will be the focus of a new research project at the University of Sheffield's School of Clinical Dentistry.

Currently, only half of all oral cancer patients will survive for five years after being diagnosed. Despite advances in treatment, many people still suffer from an advanced, incurable form of the disease, which usually occurs because the cancer has invaded surrounding tissue and spread.

Now new funding from Yorkshire Cancer Research will allow scientists to investigate why and how cancer spreads so that doctors can predict the patients in which this is likely to happen and identify new strategies to prevent it.

The project will look specifically at how the cancer cells communicate with other cells around them to help the cancer spread.

Dr Dan Lambert, who is leading the investigation, said: "The processes enabling cancer cells to invade and spread are still not fully understood, but it is known that communication between cancer cells and other cells surrounding them, such as cells called fibroblasts, plays an important role.

"Proteins released by the cancer cells appear to change the levels of certain genes in neighbouring fibroblasts, causing them in turn to change and release proteins which promote cancer cell spread.

"Recently, a new group of molecules called microRNAs was discovered which change the way cells behave by altering the levels of particular genes. We have evidence that the amount of some microRNAs change in fibroblasts in the presence of cancer cells.

"In this study we will analyse the microRNA in fibroblasts treated with proteins released by cancer cells in order to identify changes. The ability of any microRNA identified in this way to alter the behaviour of both fibroblasts and cancer cells will be examined. This information will allow us to understand more fully how cancer spreads and possibly lead to developing new ways to prevent it."

Dr Kathryn Scott, Research Liaison Officer at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "Cancers are a lot easier to treat successfully if the spread can be prevented so we are very excited to be funding this world-class project."

Study could help early identification of breast cancer patients at risk of cancer spread

11/05/2011 15:46:40 +0000

A NEW study funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research will aim to identify breast cancer patients at risk of developing the spread of cancer to the bone so that they can be treated earlier.

Although 80 per cent of women with breast cancer survive for five years or more, a significant proportion develop an advanced, incurable form of the disease. Breast cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK affecting over 47,000 women in the UK annually.

According to recent research, there may be small genetic differences between the tumours of patients who are likely to develop an advanced form of breast cancer, and those who are not.

If women can be identified who are at risk of this particular type of breast cancer, treatment can be tailored to prevent or delay this progression.

The study will use samples already provided by patients during a recent clinical trial led from Yorkshire.

Dr Janet Brown of the Section of Oncology and Clinical Research at the University of Leeds, who is leading the study, said: "Yorkshire already plays a leading international role in clinical trials for breast cancer and our scientists and clinicians at Leeds and Sheffield are uniquely placed to carry out this work.

"We hope this project will ultimately lead to a simple test in breast cancer tissue or in blood to determine if a patient is likely to benefit from new treatment."

Dr Kathryn Scott, Research Liaison Officer at Yorkshire Cancer Research, added: "This award links clinical and laboratory science to maximum effect and is an exciting area of growth for Yorkshire Cancer Research."

Bowel cancer death rates at NHS hospitals revealed for first time in national study

12/04/2011 01:00:00 +0000

THE first comprehensive study into bowel cancer death rates at English NHS hospitals within 30 days of surgery has been published following calls for more transparency in hospital outcomes.

All NHS providers of major colorectal cancer surgery in England from 1998 to 2006 have been identified and their 30-day post-operative bowel cancer patient death rates have been published in the scientific journal Gut* this month.

The new study, funded by Cancer Research UK and Yorkshire Cancer Research, highlights for the first time significant variation in risk-adjusted 30-day post-operative mortality in bowel cancer patients who underwent surgery in 150 English NHS hospitals trusts over the study period.

The study figures were risk-adjusted for each hospital trust to take account of the complexity of case mixes, hospital workloads and patients' underlying medical problems that would have affected their chances of survival.

A total of 160,920 bowel cancer patients were involved in the eight year post-code lottery investigation which has now led to strong calls from the study's authors for hospital bowel cancer mortality results to be published annually in an effort to improve outcomes for the UK's 35,000 bowel cancer patients diagnosed each year.

Yorkshire Cancer Research Centenary Professor of Pathology Phil Quirke, a lead author of the study, said it was absolutely imperative the study was repeated annually to improve 30-day post operative mortality rates for English bowel cancer patients which currently lag far behind rates in the US, Canada and Scandinavia.

"While our results show there has been a reduction in 30-day post operative mortality over the study period from 6.8 percent of patients dying in 1998 to 5.8 percent in 2006, our findings also show there is still wide variation in bowel cancer death rates across the NHS and considerable scope for improvement," he said.

"It is now time for colorectal cancer, and subsequently other cancer teams, to follow the example of the UK's cardiothoracic surgeons who have openly reported their surgical outcomes since 1998 leading to improved outcomes for cardiothoracic surgical mortality across the country.

"This study provides the means whereby we can start to understand and improve post-operative outcomes for English bowel cancer patients by identifying best practice in our hospital trusts.

"This in turn will allow us to substantially improve outcomes and ultimately reduce 30-day post-operative mortality following colorectal cancer surgery."

Unsurprisingly, the results showed the likelihood of dying after major surgery for bowel cancer was higher among older patients, especially those aged over 80; those with other underlying conditions, and those whose disease was more advanced.

Risk of death was also greater among those living in areas of deprivation and those who needed emergency surgery while women were significantly less likely to die after surgery than men, as were those who underwent surgery for rectal rather than bowel cancer.

Overall, the proportion of people who died within 30 days of major surgery for bowel cancer within English NHS hospital trust between 1998 and 2006 was 6.7% percent equating to 10, 704 deaths.

In an effort to tackle this figure, study author Professor Quirke, based at the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine at the University of Leeds, is about to launch a series of surgical master classes.

The master classes, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, will act as a pilot study in Yorkshire but Professor Quirke, a world leader in his field, and his colleagues hope to role the programme out across the UK over the next few years.

The classes will include lectures, videos and personal operative tuition sessions and will show surgeons how to successfully perform a total mesocolic excision on bowel cancer patients specifically battling colon cancer - a technique currently used in Germany and Japan where five year survival is far higher than in the UK.

According to Professor Quirke, this new approach to colon cancer surgery produces superior colon cancer specimens by removing more tissue, blood vessels and lymph nodes around the tumour therefore reducing the chances of cancer spread.

"We have shown that there should be significant improvements in outcomes for colonic cancer surgery if this new surgical technique - total mesocolic excision - is performed on patients," he said.

"In fact we estimate that carefully removing this specific part of the diseased colon from the bowel of colon cancer patients results in a 15 percent greater overall survival at five years compared to using current standard surgical techniques.

"This is in excess of the benefits of 6 months of toxic adjuvant chemotherapy," he added

"We hope to see this technique become main stream surgical procedure in hospital theatres across the country to help drive down the significant variation in bowel cancer death rates that currently exist within our NHS hospitals."

Yorkshire surgeons interested in taking part in the surgical master classes should contact Professor Quirke at the University of Leeds by emailing p.quirke@leeds.ac.uk.
The results of all hospitals in England are being published online by the National Cancer Intelligence Network. The NCIN has used this new methodology to examine the latest data from the five poorest performing trusts up to 2008. This preliminary data shows that all of these trusts performed better from 2007-08.
To view a map of all hospital trusts between 1998 and 2006 visit: www.ncin.org.uk/colorectal/. Journalists can access this before the embargo lifts with the following details: Username: ncin; Password: C0lorectal ·
*Thirty-day post-operative mortality after colorectal cancer surgery in England. Morris et al. Gut (2011); doi: 10.1136/Gut.2010.232181

York scientists to pioneer first ever early stage lung cancer test

10/03/2011 09:46:00 +0000

A company in York is one step closer to developing a non-invasive test to detect early stage lung cancer in patients.

Cizzle Biotech, a spin out company based on the work of Dr Dawn Coverley at the University of York, has received an investment of £300,000 from Yorkshire Cancer Research and The White Rose Technology Seedcorn Fund to translate its patented Ciz1 b-variant gene technology into a simple blood test to detect early stage lung cancer and fulfil a long-standing unmet clinical need.

Currently there is no such early stage lung cancer test available in the UK or abroad and as a result X-rays are commonly used on patients followed by invasive bronchoscopies, which prove both unpleasant and carry their own small mortality risk.

If Cizzle can successfully develop an early stage, non-invasive lung cancer test, patients that have lung cancer but have yet to display symptoms may be diagnosed and treated sooner resulting in improved clinical outcomes and a greater chance of survival.

Doctors and clinicians worldwide will also be able to use the test to improve staging of the disease, predict drug response, monitor response to treatment and detect residual disease.

John Lucas, CEO of Cizzle said: "The potential of our proposition to benefit cancer patients has increased dramatically with the discovery that the Ciz1 b-variant is prevalent in both small cell and non-small cell lung cancer plasma.

"We know that b-variant is easily detected in plasma from late stage lung cancer patients and absent from plasmas from healthy people so a key goal now is to test whether Ciz1 b-variant is present in the blood of patients with early stage disease.

"If b-variant is readily detectable in early stage disease, Cizzle will focus on developing an early test for patients who are not yet showing symptoms. We also hope to develop other applications of our findings for diagnosis and treatment.

"In non-small cell lung cancer, for example, accurate staging is particularly important for decision making about surgery and chemotherapy, making a reliable biomarker such as this highly desirable."

Yorkshire Cancer Research's Commercial Development Officer Morgan Williams said: "The charity is committed to moving promising outcomes of its research projects along the road to benefit cancer patients worldwide.

"This is our obligation, not only to those who provide the funds we spend but to our beneficiaries - those who have cancer or those who may suffer from cancer in the future.

"This latest investment is another example of that approach, where we financially support good projects that have real potential to fulfil a need, in this case in lung cancer."

New bowel cancer evidence supports calls for routine DNA damage repair test

08/03/2011 09:07:09 +0000

Bowel cancer patients whose tumours contain defects in specific DNA repair systems are much less likely to experience tumour recurrence post surgery, published results from a major clinical study have demonstrated. Scientists who collaborated on the 10 year QUASAR randomised control trial, one of the largest UK clinical trials to test the benefits of chemotherapy in post-surgery bowel cancer patients, have confirmed that colon tumors containing defects in their DNA mismatch repair system are 50 percent less likely to recur following surgery compared to tumours where DNA mismatch repair is normal.

Furthermore, the study suggests that patients with tumors showing mutation of the KRAS gene are more likely to re-grow compared to tumours containing a normal KRAS gene irrespective of disease stage or whether chemotherapy is administered.

These results, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, strongly support the introduction of DNA mismatch repair testing into routine clinical practice within the NHS. The results also highlight the possible role of KRAS mutation testing to guide use of adjuvant chemotherapy in bowel cancer patients.

Stored tumour tissue from 1913 patients enrolled in QUASAR, a clinical trial in which participants were randomised between fluorouracil/folinic acid chemotherapy or observation alone, was used for the study.

Retrospective testing of the QUASAR material was undertaken to specifically investigate the clinical value of testing for defective DNA damage repair and mutations of the BRAF and KRAS genes in order to predict tumour recurrence and sensitivity to chemotherapy in bowel cancer patients.

The study was funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, the UK Medical Research Council and Cancer Research UK while all the scientific work was performed at the University of Leeds by pathologist Dr Gordon Hutchins and PhD student Katie Southward with the analysis carried out at the University of Birmingham.

The study lead, Yorkshire Cancer Research Centenary Professor of Pathology, Phil Quirke, based at the University of Leeds, said the report confirmed the value of these molecular markers in selecting treatment strategies for non-metastatic bowel cancer patients following surgery.

"Biomarkers have radically changed the management of breast cancer with stratification of women by oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and HER-2 status being an integral part of therapeutic decision making," said Prof Quirke.

"Yet despite bowel cancer being almost as common as breast cancer with one million new cases occurring worldwide each year, evidence to support the routine testing of post-surgery non-metastatic bowel cancer patients with putative biomarkers, such as those for defective mismatch repair, remains elusive.

"There is still uncertainty, for example, whether the modest benefits of chemotherapy in locally advanced colorectal cancer where the tumour has not spread to the lymph nodes, (stage II disease), are sufficient to justify the toxicity, cost and inconvenience of the treatment. In this situation the selection of patients who are most likely to benefit from therapy remains problematic.

"Currently we assess the probability that a patient's tumour will recur through thorough and detailed, but often subjective, pathological assessment. The supplementation of this approach with objective, quality assured biomarkers in patients with bowel cancer could accurately predict the likelihood of recurrence and allow us to aggressively treat only those patients whose tumours are much more likely to return, sparing a significant proportion of bowel cancer patients needless chemotherapy.

"Many biomarkers have been suggested but none have so far been sufficiently validated for routine clinical application mainly because previous studies have been too small to be convincing and lacked a randomised control group.

"This new data provides unequivocal support for calls to routinely test for defective DNA damage repair in bowel cancer patients, a testing strategy that is an inexpensive and technically simple procedure. The results of this study also support further evaluation of BRAF and KRAS gene mutations to predict tumour recurrence," he said.

Leeds scientists to determine hallmarks of cervical cancer

17/02/2011 11:49:00 +0000

SCIENTISTS at the University of Leeds will analyse tissue taken from women with cervical cancer to determine the hallmarks of cells infected with Human Papillomavirus (HPV), responsible for 90 percent of all UK cases.

The researchers, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, plan to use new techniques for determining human gene sequences to detect and analyse the hallmarks of HPV-infected cervical cancer cells and tissue in order to gain greater understanding of how the virus contributes to the development of the disease.

Although it has been known for some time that the virus, passed through human sexual contact, is a major cause of cervical cancer, the Leeds scientists are keen to identify the specific characteristics of HPV-infected cancer cells.

They plan to identify potential cell and virus targets in these cancer cells that they can then use to develop new drug compounds to later test in human clinical trials.

Professor in Molecular and Cellular Biology Eric Blair, who is leading the research alongside Dr Graham Cook and Consultant Clinical Oncologist Dr Rachel Cooper, said: "It is vitally important we understand the mechanisms by which HPV16 infection leads to cervical cancer development.

"More than 90 percent of cases in the UK are associated with this infection and while there is a successful vaccination programme in place across the UK and the western world many women are not eligible for vaccination and cervical cancer continues to be the most common cancer diagnosed in women under 35.

"If we can define the hallmarks of cervical cancer cells infected with HPV we can hopefully identify the viral and cell targets that are driving cancer of the cervix.

"We can then start the long process of developing therapies to combat this female cancer which affects around 2,800 women in the UK each year alone according to latest statistics."

Win: All Expenses Paid VIP Trip For Your Relatives or Friends in North America to York

18/01/2011 09:53:05 +0000

YORKSHIRE Cancer Research has been chosen as one of the benefitting charities of an innovative new fundraising venture organised by the Rotary Club of York.

The initiative, held to celebrate the Club's 90th anniversary, offers UK residents the chance to bring their relatives or friends in North America to York on an all expenses paid VIP trip for two.

In return for a donation of $45 (£30) to the charities involved via a specially-dedicated website, entrants in the UK or North America will be given a free ticket to a grand prize draw.

The winner of the draw will be treated to five nights in the fabulous Cedar Court Grand Hotel in the heart of the city, afternoon tea with the Lord Mayor of York in the elegant Mansion House, and the opportunity to enjoy everything the area has to offer on personally escorted tours. The trip will also include two nights in either London or Edinburgh, and the winner can extend their trip further if they wish to visit friends or relatives while in this country.

All proceeds from the venture, which could total £14,000, will be split equally between Yorkshire Cancer Research and international Rotary charity 'End Polio Now'.

Brian Joscelyne, of the Rotary Club, explained: "We wanted to do something different for our anniversary and after talking to people in the States we realised that York is a pretty popular destination on the tourist circuit, so it all went from there.

"The fundraiser is primarily aimed at people who live in North America, but people in the UK can also enter and nominate the name of a friend or relative who they would like to visit them. The idea is quite novel - I don't think any other Rotary club has done this before."

Last year the Rotary Club of York raised £70,000 for various charities through its annual "Dragon Boat Challenge" in July, one of many fundraising events it undertakes each year. The new internet fundraiser will be the first time the club has chosen to support Yorkshire Cancer Research, which helps local people beat cancer by supporting world-class research, treatment and diagnosis projects throughout the county.

Brian continued: "We chose to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research not only because it's a very good cause, but also because it was important to us that we supported a charity that could be recognised the world over. We hope that, as well as raising money for our two chosen charities, the initiative will also promote York as a fantastic place to visit."

Sally Crerar, Head of Community Fundraising at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "We are constantly amazed by the new and novel ways our supporters find to raise money for us, and the Rotary Club of York's 90th anniversary fundraiser is one of the most unique ideas we have seen. We are very grateful to be chosen as one of the benefitting charities and would like to thank everyone involved."

For more details on the fundraiser and how you can enter, please visit www.york90.com.

Could pathogen-eating white blood cells become new cancer target?

17/01/2011 10:22:31 +0000

PATHOGEN eating white blood cells that are tricked into promoting tumour growth instead of boosting immunity could become the target of new innovative cancer treatments.

PATHOGEN eating white blood cells that are tricked into promoting tumour growth instead of boosting immunity could become the target of new innovative cancer treatments.

Rather than assisting the body's immune system, as they do in healthy people, these scavenger white blood cells containing the protein CD68, have been found to eat away at human tissue on behalf of the tumour allowing space for it to expand and spread.

Several studies have already looked at ways in which to kill macrophages but success has so far been limited and has produced unwanted side effects.

Now researchers in Sheffield believe they may have developed a novel way in which to kill these cells at any point in disease progression through the use of a newly generated model system.

Now researchers in Sheffield believe they may have developed a novel way in which to kill these cells at any point in disease progression through the use of a newly generated model system.

"We now wish to confirm our hypothesis that CD68 positive macrophages cause tumours to grow and spread by using our new inducible macrophage depletion system in a cancer model."

Yorkshire Cancer Research Professor Joins Team of Stem Cell Experts to Beat Cancer

14/01/2011 09:24:19 +0000

Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and its commercial arm Cancer Research Technology (CRT), have invited an eminent Yorkshire Cancer Research (YCR) professor to join their innovative new stem cell consortium.

The national charity has hand-picked four world class research groups to collaborate on an initial two-year research project to unravel the role of cancer stem cells in the development, growth and spread of tumours in breast, prostate and head and neck cancers.

The research groups* are being led by: Professor Fiona Watt, Cancer Research UK's Cambridge Research Institute; Dr Robert Clarke, The University of Manchester and Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Professor Alan Clarke, Cardiff University and Yorkshire Cancer Research's Professor Norman Maitland, Director of the YCR Research Unit at the University of York.

It was previously thought that all the cells within a tumour are the same, but it is now known a small number of slow-growing cells do not respond to standard treatments. These cancer stem cells are thought to be a cause of resistance to common therapies and the spread of tumour cells to other parts of the body.

Scientists do not yet know how cancer stem cells can be identified and killed. The Cancer Stem Cell Consortium will develop tests and models to refine a common set of known proteins - or biomarkers - present on cancer stem cells across three different tumour types for future drug discovery programmes. The team will also identify new biomarkers as potential targets for the development of new cancer drugs.

Professor Norman Maitland, Director of the Yorkshire Cancer Research Unit at the University of York said: "In York we have developed the means to obtain stem cells from prostate cancers, now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, and the properties of these do indeed suggest that they form this treatment resistant core.

"We now want to explore the molecular properties that allow the cancer stem cells to survive and resist treatment, using several different strategies and we hope that the work generated by our experts together with other world class researchers will increase the information available to scientists in this important area. By doing so we hope to develop new generation drugs, perhaps even patient-specific drugs, to target cancer stem cells. Since cancer stem cells are designed for long-term survival, we aim to dissect these survival mechanisms in order to block them, thus targeting the root of the cancer."

Initially the project will receive £500,000 from Cancer Research UK for two years. It is hoped each research team will attract an industry partner to bring in additional skills know-how and more funding for longer term research. In return industry partners will benefit through access to the consortium's latest discoveries and intellectual property and share Cancer Research UK's expertise in translating scientific discoveries into new cancer treatments.

Once the early development phase is complete, the industrial partner can choose to develop any joint discoveries into compounds with potential to be taken into early clinical trials.

Dr Phil L'Huillier, Cancer Research Technology's business development director, said: "We've selected the world's leading experts in cancer stem cell research to push the frontiers of knowledge in this important field.

"Targeting cancer stem cells is an important strategy in the fight against cancer. By bringing together industry partners and using our commercial expertise alongside the critical mass of the best brains in science we hope to identify important new leads for the development of new therapies to increase survival from a range of cancers."

Any profits from the success of the projects will be shared between the charity and the research partners involved, with Cancer Research UK re-investing any proceeds in its future research work. The business relationships will be managed by CRT, which has more than 20 years experience in licensing patents and developing opportunities for new cancer drugs and diagnostics, working closely with licensees and the pharmaceutical industry.

This is the second of CRT's consortia, the first called Senectus Therapeutics Ltd** formed in 2008 to further research into the triggers of cellular senescence - cell aging - a process by which cells irreversibly halt their cell cycle of growth and division.

Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said: "Cancer stem cells represent an exciting new frontier in our efforts to beat cancer. We urgently need to find new and effective ways to target these cells. This early research will pave the way for our scientists to develop more treatments and help more people survive a diagnosis of cancer - especially people who have aggressive cancers or for whom conventional treatments do not prevent the cancer returning. "We're investing in this exciting collaboration made up of world-leading scientists to combine our research expertise with support from industry partners to crack the codes behind the causes and development of cancer.

New Government strategy for cancer in England aims to save 5,000 lives a year

12/01/2011 12:38:47 +0000

Yorkshire Cancer Research has welcomed the launch of a new Government strategy for cancer in England which aims to save 5,000 lives a year.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the drive will be backed by more than £750 million of Government investment over the next four years.

Mr Lansley said his aim was to deliver survival rates "among the best in Europe", through earlier diagnosis, increased access to radiotherapy, more screening and promoting awareness of how to spot the signs of cancer.

The bulk of the additional money - some £450 million - will fund measures to ensure cancers are diagnosed earlier in their development.

GPs will be given the power to send patients directly for diagnostic tests without referral first to a consultant.

At the moment, some GPs have access to tests in primary care, including chest X-rays, but other scans have to be ordered by a specialist in hospital.

Under the new plans, GPs will be able to order tests themselves, which might include ultrasounds for ovarian cancer, MRI scans for brain tumours and colonoscopies for bowel cancer.

Doctors will still have the option to send patients through the rapid referral system to see a specialist within two weeks.

A £10 million awareness campaign will encourage people to see a doctor if they show any sign of developing cancer symptoms, while funding will be provided for 1,200 additional cancer specialists by 2012.

The strategy also confirms commitments to provide £50 million for additional cancer drugs, a £200 million cancer drugs fund each year until 2013, an expansion of radiotherapy services and the introduction of bowel cancer screening technology.

Mr Lansley said: "Cancer affects us all. Everyone will have a story of someone they love battling the disease. In those instances we all need to know that the NHS will be there for us.

"Our ambition is simple - to deliver survival rates among the best in Europe - and this strategy outlines how we will make our first steps towards this.

"The coalition Government's reforms of health and care services will drive improvements in what matters most to patients and their families - cancer outcomes.

"Our commitment is to save 5,000 extra lives a year from 2014/15 and that is what we will be measuring our success against."

Mr Lansley confirmed that the coalition will keep cancer waiting time targets inherited from the previous Labour administration, which promise cancer patients an outpatient appointment within two weeks of an urgent GP referral and treatment within two months.

Around 298,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK, according to the NHS. More than one in three people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime.

Professor Sir Mike Richards, the national clinical director for cancer, said late diagnosis was the main reason why survival rates for cancer in England lag behind those of other countries.

"This is why our strategy focuses on earlier diagnosis, which we will achieve through raising the public's awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and also providing better access to diagnostic tests," said Prof Richards.

"But improving outcomes for people with cancer isn't just about improving survival rates. It is also about improving patients' experience of care and the quality of life for cancer survivors and our strategy also sets out how that will be tackled."

Yorkshire Cancer Research Chief Executive Mark Stevens welcomed the move and said: "This is good news. Despite the UK and Yorkshire leading the world in finding cures for some cancers, our survival rate is worse than the US and some European countries as cancer is often not diagnosed early enough.

Yorkshire Cancer Research Chief Executive Mark Stevens welcomed the move and said: "This is good news. Despite the UK and Yorkshire leading the world in finding cures for some cancers, our survival rate is worse than the US and some European countries as cancer is often not diagnosed early enough.

Leeds scientists develop potential new Multiple Myeloma therapy

05/01/2011 12:08:18 +0000

A treatment for the incurable blood cancer Multiple Myeloma could be developed in the future if a groundbreaking scientific discovery is applied to new Leeds-based research into the disease.

Yorkshire Cancer Research-funded scientists at the University of Leeds are building on a recent high-profile discovery that found that even a modest reduction in the level of the human protein IRF4 in cancerous multiple myeloma plasma cells results in their death but crucially leaves normal healthy blood cells unaffected.

The five strong collaborative research team believe this discovery, which was recently reported by a US group in the international scientific journal Nature, could now open up a "therapeutic window" for multiple myeloma sufferers who currently have a very poor prognosis of between just three to five years.

They plan to test the strategy on isolated multiple myeloma cells taken from cancer patients in laboratory-based culture at the University of Leeds and develop a potential anti-myeloma drug which they will later test through human clinical trials.

Dr Joan Boyes, who is collaborating with Professor Eric Blair, Dr Gordon Cook, Dr Graham Cook and Professor Adrian Whitehouse on the project, said: "We will insert a genetically-engineered adenovirus of the type previously used in clinical studies into the multiple myeloma cell culture in our lab to deliver molecules that will specifically trigger a reduction in the IRF4 protein levels within the cancer cells.

"We will also examine ways to improve adenovirus targeting of these multiple myeloma cancer cells which will hopefully lead to longer term studies where we can then develop the adenovirus as a potential drug compound.

"Multiple Myeloma is a really dreadful disease and it is the second most common cancer of the blood. Many current treatments do not efficiently kill the cancerous cells that are buried deep within the bone marrow.

"This piece of research is very exciting and if all goes to plan it could eventually go through to future clinical trials as it has potential to increase remission times in multiple myeloma cancer patients quite remarkably."

Over 300 Guaranteed Places Now Available in the 2011 Bupa Great North Run.

05/01/2011 11:34:00 +0000

YORKSHIRE Cancer Research (YCR) has more than 300 guaranteed places now available in the 2011 Bupa Great North Run.

The sought after places in the iconic half marathon event on September 18 are likely to fill quickly following record interest last year from competitors across Yorkshire keen to run the North East route on behalf of a regional cancer charity.

Yorkshire Cancer Research's Head of Events Emma Young said: "Last year 54,000 runners took part in the 30th anniversary event and out of that total an impressive 465 took part on behalf of YCR.

"They raised a fantastic £113,362 which is now funding world-class cancer research, diagnosis and treatment at our region's five universities and associated teaching hospitals, helping local people to beat cancer.

"This year, we would like to see around 500 participants take part in aid of us so in addition to offering guaranteed places we are appealing to as many people as possible to secure their own place through the ballot system and choose to run for us.

"We are Yorkshire's cancer charity and virtually all money raised - 83 pence in every pound - is spent purely on world-leading cancer research in Yorkshire.

"There must be hundreds of people out there who have pledged to get fit as part of their New Year resolution so we would be delighted if we could help them do just that whilst raising valuable funds."

Launched in 1981, the Bupa Great North Run is the premier running event in the Great Run series and is now firmly established as the world's most popular half-marathon.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is proud to have been offering places in it for more than 20 years and over that time millions of pounds have been raised to fund cancer research projects which have led to some of the world's leading medical advances including the early discovery of breast cancer drug Tamoxifen.

Apply for a place in aid of Yorkshire Cancer Research online or call the fundraising team on 01423 877210 to register over the phone.

All participants will receive a special fundraising pack which includes a Yorkshire Cancer Research T-shirt and tips on training. Minimum age for entries is 18

UK trial into effects of Myeloma drug on post op transplant patients imminent

21/12/2010 09:17:05 +0000

A national clinical trial which opens imminently will aim to assess the impact of a novel anti-cancer drug in the setting of donor bone marrow transplantation for myeloma.

As part of this trial, investigative studies will also be performed at the University of Leeds to determine the effect of this drug on the immune system recovery post bone marrow transplant and how this may relate to disease control.

The three year studies, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, will officially start next month at the university and test the drug Lenalidomide (Revlimid®) produced by global pharmaceutical company Celgene International Sàrl. Lenalidomide is currently used under licence in the UK and internationally for myeloma patients who have not undergone a high-risk bone marrow transplant.

The Leeds studies will run parallel to the ongoing national clinical study and will specifically assess whether Lenalidomide is beneficial to the immune systems of multiple myeloma patients who have undergone a bone marrow transplant and are therefore at severe risk of contracting a life-threatening infection.

The laboratory studies are being conducted by St James's University Hospital and Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine consultant haematologist Dr Gordon Cook and Clinical Scientist Dr Clive Carter.

The study ultimately aims to deliver a safer bone marrow transplant treatment strategy without affecting the usefulness of such a procedure for multiple myeloma cancer patients whose prognosis is limited.

Dr Cook said: "Recovery of the immune system after a donor bone marrow transplant is a highly complex process influenced by many key elements and sadly infection-related mortality still remains the main cause of death in the first 100 days after a bone marrow transplant.

"Simply put, we know that the success of donor stem cell transplantation in myeloma relates to the donor immune system attacking the tumour cells.

"So the trial has been set up to test a new drug, Lenalidomide (Revlimid) which has been found, through international phase three trials, to be effective at disease control in myeloma patients .

"Fundamentally, we will be testing this drug's effect in myeloma patients who have specifically undergone a donor transplant to see if it increases recovery of their immune system whilst keeping the disease controlled in the same way it does those who haven't undergone a transplant.

"Whilst data exists to describe the effect of Lenalidomide on the immune system the immunological effects of Lenalidomide in the context of myeloma patients undergoing a donor transplant have yet to be studied so this trial and these studies are crucial if we are to improve survival rates for all myeloma patients."

The results of the Leeds studies will be added to the outcomes of the clinical trial (LenaRIC) into the drug in this setting.

Myeloma patients and bone marrow donors from right across the UK will take part in the dual trial and Leeds study by providing blood samples.

Yorkshire Cancer Research Liaison Officer, Dr Kathryn Scott said: "Yorkshire Cancer Research is excited to be funding this patient-centred cancer research and hopes are high that adding this new drug to the treatment plan for myeloma patients will reduce the chances of patients succumbing to an infection after a bone marrow transplant.

"Yorkshire Cancer Research is looking to supporting more of this kind of work to complement the very early stage laboratory studies that we currently fund in Yorkshire's five universities."

YCR boosts Yorkshire's cancer research activity

13/12/2010 15:31:42 +0000

Scores of medical researchers at the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield are set to benefit from more than £1.26m of Yorkshire Cancer Research (YCR) funding in the early part of 2011.

Following a strong performance throughout 2010, the Harrogate-based cancer charity has announced it will fund a record seven three-year research projects and six one-year projects at the two Yorkshire universities from next month spanning both clinical and early stage cancer research work and incorporating a whole range of different cancer types.

Yorkshire Cancer Research, which funds cancer research at the universities of Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Hull and York, is now funding one in four of all award applications it receives from medical researchers across the region up from one in seven applications just two years ago.

Dr Kathryn Scott, Research Liaison Officer at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "These are very exciting times for YCR with unprecedented levels of applications from the whole field of cancer research. Christmas has certainly come early for hundreds of cancer research scientists at the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield. "We are also in the privileged position of being able to select the most exciting and most cutting edge research to fund including new work into cancer of the bone marrow (myeloma) which runs alongside a nationally recognised clinical trial crucially benefitting cancer patients.

"In addition to taking such science forward, this funding also provides job security for up to three years for our researchers as we continue to invest in people who are the future leaders in international cancer research." The seven funded projects include four at the University of Leeds and three at the University of Sheffield and include early stage and clinical research into pancreatic, bladder, breast, ovarian and myeloma cancers. One of the Sheffield projects involves clinical research into improving current combination chemotherapy treatments while another involves a study into how best to improve current cancer drugs that destroy a tumour's blood vessels in order to stop them growing and spreading.

Professor Tony Robards, Chairman of Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "This record funding round demonstrates YCR's continuing success and support for a broad range of cancer-related research projects in an increasingly difficult economic environment for the research community. "We remain committed to funding the very best cancer research in Yorkshire's leading universities and to ensuring that the outputs from this work are used in helping (local?) people to beat cancer."

Fundraising committee's 'non-coffee morning' initiative raises more than £2,000

07/12/2010 10:04:50 +0000

The Leeds Jewish Committee for Yorkshire Cancer Research has raised more than £2,000 - by not holding a coffee morning!

The committee decided a few years ago that instead of inviting people to attend an event, they would send out cards and ask for donations - and this year they have been overwhelmed by the community's generosity.

Mrs Rosalind Peters, Chairman of the committee, explained: "Sometimes people just don't want to get dressed up and go out. So instead of asking them to leave their homes, we decided to send out greeting cards along with a poem and a small gift.

"In the past we have sent out sachets of coffee, but this year someone suggested we send out packets of seeds. We also include a Gift Aid envelope so that people can make a donation and it can raise a lot of money. We try and post as many envelopes as we can ourselves."

The Leeds Jewish Committee annually raises in the region of £11,000 for Yorkshire Cancer Research, which helps local people beat cancer by supporting world-class research, treatment and diagnosis projects.

A man's hands can provide a clue to his risk of prostate cancer

01/12/2010 16:01:23 +0000

Men whose index fingers are longer than their ring fingers are significantly less likely to develop the disease, a study has found.

The reason is thought to be hormonal influences in the womb.

Less exposure to the sex hormone testosterone results in a longer index finger and may also protect against prostate cancer later in life.

Researchers made the discovery after comparing 1,500 prostate cancer patients and around 3,000 healthy men.

Participants were shown a series of pictures of different finger length patterns and asked to identify the one most similar to their own right hand.

More than half the men in the study had a shorter index than ring finger.

They developed prostate cancer at about the same rate as the 19% of men whose fingers were the same length.

But the risk for those whose index fingers were longer than their ring fingers was reduced by 33%.

The pattern was even more pronounced in men aged 60. They were 87% less likely to fall into the group affected by prostate cancer if they had long index fingers.

Professor Ros Eeles, from the Institute of Cancer Research in Sutton, Surrey, said: "Our results show that relative finger length could be used as a simple test for prostate cancer risk, particularly in men aged under 60.

"This exciting finding means that finger pattern could potentially be used to select at-risk men for ongoing screening, perhaps in combination with other factors such as family history or genetic testing."

But Director of the Yorkshire Cancer Research Unit at the University of York, Professor Norman Maitland warned the research only indicated an increased risk of developing the disease. He said: "We know that about 10% of prostate cancers are in men who have a family history or predisposition to develop cancer. This paper tells us that some of the increased risk may not be inherited from a parent but is a result of conditions in the womb. Just like a good folate balance is important for the health of a foetus, so a correct hormonal balance is also important.

"Before everyone starts measuring their fingers, or even looking for hairs on the palm of their hand however, we should recognise that the observed difference in finger length only confers an increased risk and is not a sentence of prostate cancer. It can also vary between different populations."

Yorkshire Cancer Research PhD Studentships - Call for Potential Supervisors

04/11/2010 10:53:32 +0000

The Yorkshire Cancer Research PhD studentship scheme provides one studentship per year to each of the Yorkshire Universities in current receipt of YCR funding.

For further details please visit: http://www.yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk/research/apply_for_a_grant.aspx

The deadline for potential supervisors is 15th December 2010.

YCR Moves Into Clinical Research

02/11/2010 14:04:32 +0000

Yorkshire Cancer Research has started funding patient-led clinical research in an effort to give the region's cancer sufferers direct access to innovative new treatments.

Until now, the 85-year-old charity, headquartered in Harrogate, has ploughed the majority of its £6m a year income into funding important lab-based cancer research at Yorkshire's five universities and their associated teaching hospitals benefitting scientific knowledge and understanding worldwide.

But the charity's recent move into later stage clinical research - directly involving cancer patients - will allow it to invest in science that is even closer to bringing new cancer treatments to market.

Chief Executive Mark Stevens, who is looking to double Yorkshire Cancer Research's income by 2020, said: "By supporting clinical research and trials involving cancer patients we are building on the outstanding lab science we already fund to ensure real improvements to current clinical and surgical practice.

"Developing new drugs and treatments to beat cancer takes many years and requires millions of pounds of investment but if we can fund the clinical research that helps bring an effective cancer treatment to market then we can save thousands of lives down the line and give patients access to innovative new treatments now."

One clinical research project Yorkshire Cancer Research is currently funding is a study into rare genetic variants of two genes involved in DNA repair.

It is believed that rare variants of these two particular genes may increase the risk of developing bladder cancer - the UK's fifth most common cancer.

"The clinical study attached with this project will hopefully allow me to confirm whether these genetic variants are present in patients suffering with this disease," said Dr Mark Teo, who is leading the trial at St James's Hospital in Leeds.

"This information may help us in the future to indentify people at high risk of bladder cancer who would benefit from early intervention to prevent this terrible disease from developing."

Another clinical research project being funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research is being carried out by PhD histopathologist Dr Nicholas West, again at St James's Hospital, Leeds.

Through clinical studies on cancer patients, Dr West is investigating the importance of good quality surgery for patients with low bowel and colonic cancer tumours in an effort to reduce the chances of these tumours returning.

"Unfortunately the clinical improvements seen following the introduction of a training programme for rectal cancer surgery have not been mirrored in low bowel cancer and colonic cancer," said Dr West.

"These Leeds trials, part funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, have helped us investigate further the importance of good quality surgery for these cancers and we will soon be able to introduce surgery improvements internationally potentially saving somewhere between 2000 and 4000 lives per year in the UK and many more worldwide."

Luminous Jellyfish Cells and Early Cancer Diagnosis

02/11/2010 09:04:10 +0000

IT SOUNDS like an idea plucked from the realms of science fiction writing. But in this case, there is nothing fictional about it.

Scientists in Yorkshire have developed a process that uses the luminous cells from jellyfish to diagnose cancers deep within the human body.

The method has been developed at the Yorkshire Cancer Research Laboratory at The University of York and the man who leads the York team, Professor Norman Maitland, believes it will revolutionise the way some cancers are diagnosed.

"Cancers deep within the body are difficult to spot at an early stage, and early diagnosis is critical for the successful treatment of any form of cancer," he said.

"What we have developed is a process which involves inserting proteins derived from luminous jellyfish cells into human cancer cells. Then, when we illuminate the tissue, a special camera detects these proteins as they light up, indicating where the tumours are."

The process is an extension of the work done by American chemist Dr Roger Y Tsien who won a Nobel Prize in 2008 for taking luminous cells from a common jellyfish called the crystal jelly and isolating the green fluorescent protein (GFP).

The GFP is the substance that allows jellyfish to glow in the dark.

"When we heard about Dr Tsien's work, we realised how that advance might be useful in the diagnosis of cancer," said Prof Maitland.

"X-Rays, for example, struggle to penetrate well deeply into tissues and bone, so diagnosing dangerous microscopic bone cancer is difficult. Our process should allow earlier diagnosis to take place."

What the Yorkshire Cancer Research team has done is to use an altered form of the protein so that it shows up as red or blue, rather than its original green. Colour is important for these tests, as most colours in the spectrum are rapidly absorbed, and tumours deep within the body become invisible. You can try this for yourself by shining a torch light through your hand - the only colour which you can see is red.

In the procedure, viruses containing the proteins are targeted to home in on tiny bundles of cancer cells scattered throughout the body (metastases).

Normally this would not be enough to see the minute tumours which are too small to be seen by conventional scanning techniques, but the viruses then start to grow, and while doing so make more of the red fluorescent proteins.

Thousands of copies are made in each cancer cell, a process, which is repeated in the surrounding cells, as the virus infection spreads and then stops.

"When a specially developed camera is switched on, the proteins just flare up and you can see where the cancer cells are." said Prof Maitland, "We call the process 'Virimaging' ".

If the research continues to go according to plan, the method is expected to be ready for clinical trials within five years and could be ready for diagnostic use by clinicians a few years after this. It has to be tested thoroughly, as a failure to detect such small cancers has serious consequences for patients.

However, while the system works in the laboratory, one major hurdle is a shortage of specialised cameras.

Only one company, based in the United States, has so far designed and built a camera system which allows the jellyfish proteins to be seen with the desired resolution deep in the body. The camera costs around half a million pounds and Prof Maitland is currently raising the funds to be able to buy one.

Red fluorescent cells inside an experimental tumour.

YCR Scientists Start Research on Rare Skin Cancer

27/10/2010 15:57:43 +0000

RESEARCHERS at the University of Leeds have taken their first steps towards understanding why a rare skin cancer that is rapidly growing in incidence in Europe and the USA is not recognised by the body's immune system.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) arises from uncontrolled growth of skin cells and usually develops on sun-exposed areas as a firm, painless, red-coloured bump that grows over several weeks to months.

The condition typically develops in people aged 65 and over and those with weakened immune systems and there are currently around 1500 cases a year with one third of these proving fatal.

During recent research, around 80 percent of MCCs on human skin were shown to contain a virus termed Merkel cell polyomavirus which is believed to be associated with the growth of this cancer.

Now Leeds-based scientists, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research headquartered in Harrogate, plan to introduce the genetic material of this virus into normal human skin cells to produce skin cells that have features of MCC cancers.

They will use these synthetic MCC cancer cells along with real MCC cells from patient samples to analyse the reactions of human immune cells against them.

The scientists ultimately hope to increase current knowledge about the human body's ability to eliminate MCC cancer cells to help develop a vaccine in the future. Professor Eric Blair, who is leading the project, said: "Since a virus is involved in the development of Merkel cell carcinoma skin cancer it is important to understand how the virus prevents the immune system attacking the MCC tumour.

"We are aiming to develop strategies to prevent or eradicate tumours and improve the prognosis of patients who suffer with this terrible skin disease which is currently extremely poor."

YCR Benefits From Business Tycoon's Award Winning Share Scheme

20/10/2010 12:50:04 +0000

BUSINESS Charity Champion of the Year and city entrepreneur Richard Bernstein has donated 100,000 shares to Yorkshire Cancer Research (YCR) worth more than £12,000.

The Chief Executive of London-based technology investment fund, Eurovestech Plc, made the donation after recognising the contribution YCR makes to funding life-saving cancer research at Yorkshire's five universities and their associated teaching hospitals benefitting patients worldwide.

YCR, headquartered in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, is now one of 90 charities to have benefitted from Eurovestech's charity share donation scheme which has given away 10 million shares since the company was listed on the AiM market in 2000.

YCR's Chief Executive Mark Stevens said the donation was a wonderful surprise and the scheme was a novel way for other listed companies to follow suit and donate to charity.

"We are extremely grateful to Richard Bernstein and his colleagues for giving us shares in Eurovestech which are currently worth around £12,500 and will contribute towards funding one of our quarterly cancer research grants.

"Entrepreneurs like Richard Bernstein should be commended for setting up innovative charitable donation schemes like this.

"Donating shares really is a great way for corporates to contribute to charity rather than giving cash which hits their immediate bottom line."

Mr Bernstein, who was awarded Business Charity Champion and Outstanding Individual at the Third Sector magazine awards in June for the scheme, said he was delighted that a gift of shares in Eurovestech Plc was able to help Yorkshire Cancer Research continue its excellent work.

"If the UK's top 100 companies gave just 0.5 percent of their shares, it would raise £8 billion at a time when charity is more important than ever as deficit reduction gets under way. Make it 0.1%, and the total is still a whopping £1.6 billion," he added.

"In City terms, one-tenth of 1 percent is a rounding error. If you're a shareholder, 0.1% is irrelevant - but it is incredibly relevant to the charity." In a bid to increase the number of companies donating shares to charity, Mr Bernstein has recently visited the Cabinet Office to see the Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd, to discuss reforming the tax law.

His aim is to obtain the same tax advantages for a company donating shares as are currently enjoyed by companies donating cash.

Exclusive Shopping Evening At Harrogate Fashion House Raises £600.00

14/10/2010 12:29:37 +0000

An evening of exclusive shopping at Harrogate boutique LK Bennett has raised more than £600 for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

70 past supporters of the regional charity were offered the opportunity to attend a fashion show displaying the store's latest collection.

Guests were also treated to words of wisdom from a fashion advisor and a skin care expert, and each lady who attended received a girly goody bag.

10 per cent of all sales on the night went towards the charity's vital research into cancer, and a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses raised a further £265.

Boutique manager Drita Shala said: "We love working with charities and we chose Yorkshire Cancer Research because it is a local and worthwhile cause. It was a really lovely evening and we're proud to have raised so much."

Sally Crerar, Head of Community Fundraising at Yorkshire Cancer Research, added: "It was a pleasure to work with Drita and her team at LK Bennett. Everyone enjoyed a fun evening. They saved some money on their purchases and were delighted to donate to Yorkshire Cancer Research also!"

New Chairman At The Helm Of YCR

06/10/2010 15:45:29 +0000

YCR has appointed a new chairman to help us boost our annual income by at least £5m over the next decade.

Director and former Chairman of York Science Park, Professor Anthony Robards has taken on the role from retiring Chairman Dr Brenda Jackson who has held the position since 1996 and has enjoyed an impressive 50 year career working in the charity sector.

Professor Robards is keen to considerably raise YCR's income from £5m per annum to more than £10m alongside our new Chief Executive Mark Stevens.

He and Mark will also be looking to invest YCR funding in new areas that benefit patients directly as well continuing our world-class medical research at the universities of Leeds, Sheffield, Hull, York and Bradford and their associated teaching hospitals as the charity has done for 85 years.

Professor Robards, who was awarded an OBE in 2002 for his work in helping to set up the innovative York Science City initiative in 1998 which helped turn the city's economic fortunes around, said:

"Rarely does there come a time in life when you can use your scientific research background in conjunction with the commercial side of business to help move a great charity like Yorkshire Cancer Research forward in a new direction.

"Mark Stevens and I are both passionate about what we do and we are both extremely excited about working together to help bring in more funds for the charity and help raise its public profile to support cancer patients in the region."

Record Number Of Applications For Three Year YCR Research Awards

16/09/2010 13:06:26 +0000

We're receiving more applications than ever for our three year YCR Research Awards due to an increase in cancer research throughout the region at our five universities.

Dr Kathryn Scott, YCR's Research Liaison Officer said: "This is a really exciting time for Yorkshire Cancer Research with increased demand for funding stimulating healthy competition and resulting in the very best projects being funded. "Several factors are affecting this increase in application numbers including an increased awareness of YCR and recognition of the success of the charity.

"Of course, when funding from other charities and Government funding is being drastically reduced in the region the pressure on YCR to fill the gap is enormous. "Part of our strategy is to grow so that we can continue to support the very best science in our five Yorkshire universities and associated teaching hospitals."

POST-doc researcher awarded a three year YCR Researchers Award worth £183,494

14/09/2010 12:27:08 +0000

POST-doc researcher and mother-of-one Josie Meade, 36, has recently been awarded a three year YCR Researchers Award.

The £183,494 award will not only help Josie further her already impressive scientific career but will fund her highly technical research work into ovarian tumours and how they evade the surveillance effects of the human immune system at Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine (LIMM).

Josie Meade has recently returned to the lab following an extended maternity leave and she is determined to further her research career with the help of her YCR award.

During her 17 years as a scientist, Josie has worked and studied at the University of Warwick, The Babraham Institute at the University of Cambridge and the Sandoz Forschungsinstitut in Vienna initially researching the field of basic immunology before undertaking a post doc in Leeds investigating the effects of natural killer cells.

With several publications under her belt and plenty of expertise, Josie, 36, is now ready to lead her own project investigating how ovarian tumours evade the immune system.

Read Josie's account below on what her work will involve and what she hopes to achieve to the benefit of ovarian cancer sufferers.

"The immune system is vital to health and consists of a multitude of different types of cells and molecules which detect and kill many infectious organisms, preventing our bodies being overwhelmed by these pathogens.

"It also plays a role in killing cancer cells and it is now thought that many potential cancers are destroyed very early before they can cause disease.

"However the fact that cancer is a common cause of illness and untimely death means that some cancers manage to escape the immune systems' surveillance and become resistant to its' weaponry.

"I have been researching a type of immune cell called natural killer cells, which play an important role in destroying tumours.

"They kill tumour cells by firing toxic molecules which cause them to shut down, package themselves up neatly for clearance and then die. Natural killer cells also release chemicals which stimulate other immune cells to attack the tumour.

"But in our laboratory we have shown that some tumours can manipulate natural killer cells, reducing the strength of their attacks.

"Through my research award from YCR, I want to uncover how they do this and precisely what effects tumours have on these killer cells.

"I plan to use ovarian cancer as a model system because samples of established tumours and killer cells from patients are readily available

"A greater understanding of how tumours influence the immune system will assist the development of immune based treatments for both early and resistant tumours, allowing the anti-cancer activity of the immune system to be harnessed more effectively."

Yorkshire Cancer Research Comments on "Remarkable" Melanoma Cancer Pill

26/08/2010 15:24:12 +0000

Dr Kathryn Scott, Research Liaison Officer at Yorkshire Cancer Research comments on today's melanoma breakthrough dominating the headlines.

"This exciting piece of research on melanoma from several leading US Universities along with major pharmaceutical companies shows that genetic changes in tumours can be used to develop new drugs specifically targeted to those tumour.

"It highlights the importance of understanding the events which occur inside a cell leading to cancer.

"This new melanoma drug is in the early stages of development and, whilst 81 percent of patients initially responded to the treatment, it is unknown if it will result in an increase in survival for patients with this increasingly common disease.

"These investigations are exactly the type of research which is funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research in the five Yorkshire universities leading to a greater understanding of how cancers develop and spread and it is why it is vital to support the charity and ensure this type of groundbreaking research is continued."

Yorkshire Cancer Research Comments on Avastin Drug Refusal

25/08/2010 16:09:47 +0000

Dr Kathryn Scott, Research Liaison Officer at Yorkshire Cancer Research said: "In cancer, tumours need new blood vessels which supply them with food and nutrients and allow the tumour to grow and spread. Avastin is a drug which prevents blood vessel growth and is used to treat many diseases including bowel cancer.

"Drugs such as Avastin, which began its development journey in a laboratory and took many years to develop into the drug we see today, demonstrate that we are moving in the right direction with new therapies being developed to treat cancer.

"But the decision by Nice this week not to fund the drug, due to doubts over its overall cost-effectiveness, shows that we must continue to support vital cancer research, such as that provided by Yorkshire Cancer Research who aim to develop new and improved drugs which are hopefully even better, more cost-effective and work for more people.

"That is why it's so important to fund Yorkshire Cancer Research who is responsible for the ground breaking research currently taking place in our five Yorkshire universities and associated teaching hospitals which underpin every single new cancer treatment on the market today."

Yorkshire Cancer Research Teams Up With The Tigers - Hull City AFC

24/08/2010 14:48:43 +0000

THE country's biggest regional charity, Yorkshire Cancer Research, has teamed up with Hull City AFC for the new football season following a highly successful partnership with the club in 2009/10.

The two Yorkshire-based organisations first joined forces in July 2009 to launch Let's Kick Cancer - a high profile campaign which aimed to raise awareness of cancer and highlight the internationally-recognised medical research currently being funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research (YCR) at the region's five main universities and associated teaching hospitals.

Let's Kick Cancer enabled several major fundraising initiatives to take place at The KC Stadium - the home of the Tigers - in aid of Yorkshire Cancer Research including a televised YCR match between Hull City AFC and Manchester United, a YCR Cash 4 Clothes recycling event, big screen text appeals and match bucket collections.

Now bosses from both sides are keen to repeat that success so they can continue exposing the life-saving work of the cancer charity across the whole of the Yorkshire region.

Yorkshire Cancer Research's new Chief Executive Mark Stevens said: "Our ultimate mission is to promote research in Yorkshire into the causes and cures of cancer and inform as many people as possible about the life-changing work that we do and have done for 85 years.

"Teaming up with Hull City AFC again this season helps us to do this as it allows us to raise our profile, stage extra fundraising events and have our YCR logo on all Hull City AFC Stationery and on match programmes for example.

"It's so important cancer sufferers right here in Yorkshire continue to be able to access some of the best cancer treatments and therapies in the world that we are currently funding at our five Yorkshire universities.

"But we need to raise literally millions each year to make this research happen and partnering with high profile clubs like Hull City AFC is an effective way of letting millions of people know what we do every day."

Hull City AFC's Chief Executive Mark Maguire added. "As a professional football club we have a unique responsibility to work with our community and with charities to make a difference to people's lives.

"We are privileged to exist in the world of sport and it is partnerships like this, with a locally based charity, who make a huge impact in a very important area, which should be at the very heart of what we do.

"We are determined to support Yorkshire Cancer Research in a pro active fashion and are proud to be associated with their magnificent efforts for another year."