Vasculitis research at the University benefits from family's fundraising efforts
The family of local man, Moylan Urquhart, handed over a £3,000 cheque for vasculitis research in December after organising a dance to mark the tenth anniversary of his death.
Moylan died in 2005 from Takayasu Arteritis, a rare type of vasculitis which was relatively unknown at the time and therefore very difficult to treat. His cousin Carol Ross and other family members decided to organise an annual football match in his memory to raise funds to help discover more about the disease and have since raised well over £7,000 in a number of ways. Ten years on they visited the University’s Foresterhill campus, where they were welcomed by Dr Neil Basu, to find out how research and diagnosis has progressed and what their donations have supported.
Dr Basu, one of the University’s vasculitis specialists, was able to explain that research has progressed immensely over the past ten years and that the detection of vasculitis is now much easier thanks to the use of sophisticated scanning techniques. He also explained how new treatments are being developed to replace the use of steroids which have often proved to be ineffectual in the past.
Dr Basu also gave the family a tour of one of the research labs to see first-hand the research being undertaken.
Carol said “As a family we appreciate Dr Basu and staff from the Development Trust taking time out of their schedule to spend time with us. Unfortunately, at the time of my cousin’s death, Takayasu Arteritis was so rare, it was only diagnosed post-mortem. Through the research being done at Foresterhill, the diagnosis and prognosis for patients with Takayasu and other forms of vasculitis has improved greatly. It was great for us to see how the money we raise is contributing to continued research and ultimately improving the lives of patients with vasculitis. We could not raise the money we do without the continued support each year from Moylan’s friends who have been so committed to keeping his memory alive whilst contributing to helping others in the process. A big thank you from all our family, to everyone involved.”
Fundraising income for the University’s vasculitis research is channelled through the University of Aberdeen Development Trust which is a registered charity. The Trust raises essential funds to support much of the University’s activities such as vital medical research as well as supporting students through the provision of scholarships, bursaries and facilities. Funding from alumni, individuals, companies, organisations and the community is essential for the development of vasculitis research in Aberdeen as well as many other activities.