GASTROCAN researchers at the University of Aberdeen to benefit from the brilliant fundraising efforts of 70 Run Balmoral participants.
On Saturday 23rd April, 70 hardy and dedicated fundraisers took part in the annual Run Balmoral event on Royal Deeside to raise funds and awareness for stomach and oesophageal cancer research at the University of Aberdeen.
The team was recruited by the University of Aberdeen Development Trust and was made up of alumni, staff and members of the local community. This included a 33-person contingent from local accountancy firm Anderson, Anderson & Brown along with this year's GASTROCAN mascot, the weather-appropriate 'Frosty the Snowman'.
Braving spells of snow, high winds and freezing temperatures, the team took part in 1.5K, 5K and 10K races in the stunning, if stormy grounds of Balmoral Castle. With donations continuing to come in they have increased on last year's impressive total of £12,500 and have now smashed their target of £14,000. Thanks to this fantastic commitment, the money will help University of Aberdeen GASTROCAN researchers to further understand oesophageal and gastric cancer and to improve the treatment of these particularly devastating forms of cancer.
With the support of generous volunteer fundraisers the GASTROCAN team has recently discovered a test to identify which patients with this rapidly progressive and common form of cancer can benefit from treatment with a drug called gefitinib. Work funded by GASTROCAN has started to inform the design of a large-scale new trial that will try out the combination of the test and the drug at the time of diagnosis instead of waiting for the cancer to spread.
Professor Zosia Miedzybrodzka, honorary consultant clinical geneticist who leads the GASTROCAN team and took part in the 10K race said "Fantastic support like this is so important to us here at GASTROCAN as it gives us the freedom and flexibility to pursue research as and when discoveries are made. We are so thankful for everyone's efforts."
Fundraising income for GASTROCAN is channelled through the University of Aberdeen Development Trust which is an independent 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 the medical research undertaken by GASTROCAN and many other activities.