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Running for Research May 2011
A group of residents are hoping to raise some much needed funds for a new local charity and its research programme.
‘Team Banchory’ are supporting GASTROCAN (Gastro-oesophageal Cancer Research Fund) by running either the 5 or 10k Balmoral Run on 23 April 2011.
Set up by Dr Russell Petty, GASTROCAN is the only charity raising money specifically or research into stomach and oesophageal cancer.
Gastric (stomach) and oesophageal (gullet) cancers are among the most rapidly-rising types of cancer, and rates in Scotland are among the highest in the world. While advances have been made in treatment to control gastro-oesophageal cancer, cure rates remain low especially in comparison to other types of cancer.
A patient with breast cancer has an eight out of 10 chance of completely beating the disease, compared with just one in 10 gastro-oesophageal cancer patients. Accordingly, gastro-oesophageal cancer is seen as a priority area for medical research.
GASTROCAN has been established to support research to improve treatment for oesophageal and gastric cancer in NHS Grampian and The University of Aberdeen Medical School. Dr Russell Petty, Consultant Medical Oncologist at NHS Grampian and a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, specialises in the treatment of gastro-oesophageal cancer, and leads University and NHS Grampian research into the causes and treatment of the disease.
By supporting research GASTROCAN also aims to increase awareness of gastric and oesophageal cancer to help patients recognise the symptoms of disease and know when to seek help.
“Our research projects include clinical trials of the latest drugs for gastro-oesophageal cancer patients and investigations into the causes of gastro-oesophageal cancer”.
“We are also looking at the symptoms of the disease and how patients and GPs react to them and we are also exploring how new imaging and scanning techniques can be used to improve how the best treatment for patients is selected”.
“A key aim of all our research involves trying to develop tests called biomarkers to enable doctors to individualise cancer therapy for patients to optimise the chances of success and minimise side effects, rather than the current 'one size fits all' approach.”
“It is thanks to fundraising efforts like this that we can continue our fight against this devastating disease.”
Breast Cancer Awareness throughout 2011
It’s not just white coats that will be on show at University of Aberdeen labs at Foresterhill.
Researchers are also expected to be wearing a hint of pink. And those doing so will also be raising cash for breast cancer research.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and today has been earmarked by the charity Breast Cancer Campaign as wear it pink day. The charity hopes that as many people as possible across the UK will today wear something pink and give £2 for the privilege.
Last year's day raised more than £3 million for the charity. And staff at the University contributed more than £950 towards that, thanks to the generosity of pink-clad staff.
Dr Andy Schofield, whose breast cancer research group receives funding from Breast Cancer Campaign, has organised the University's wear it pink day. He said: "We hope to raise another generous amount for Breast Cancer Campaign which is using the money to fund breast cancer research through the UK.
"We hope to have a good turn out of people in the pink at the University and there will be prizes for the best dressed individual and the best dressed lab group."
Breast cancer survivors give researchers donation
A breast cancer doctor has hailed survivors of the disease for helping fund pioneering research into combating the condition.
Eight women who have fought breast cancer took part in a fashion show to raise awareness and funds for research into the disease.
Six of the women were from Aberdeenshire and two flew over from Norway to take part in the event which took place in Aberdeenshire and showcased clothing from Orvis in Banchory and The Fountain in Inverurie.
One of the organisers of the event – which also helped highlight an artistic movement called Love Difference – was Torphins artist Ingeborg Bodzioch who is originally from Norway.
She said: "My mother has had breast cancer, many of my close friends have had breast cancer, and my sister Eugenie Lunde has had breast cancer twice.
"In fact Eugenie was in the middle of treatment for the disease when she flew over from Norway to take part in our fashion show. She even managed to entertain us with her singing as she is a professional singer."
And there was more unexpected entertainment for the 100 people who attended the October event.
"Our women were escorted down the catwalk by local men James Ironside and Tom Leeson who were dressed in kilts.
"We also persuaded the pair to do a turn on the catwalk bare-chested in their waders. They were really game for a laugh!" added Ingeborg.
The efforts of Ingeborg and co-organisers Inger Helen Vorley and Irene Macaulay raised £1,000 which was handed over this week to Professor Steven Heys who heads up a number of groundbreaking breast cancer research projects at the University of Aberdeen.
The Professor of Surgical Oncology, who is also a consultant surgeon at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, said: "It is always humbling when women who have beaten breast cancer still have time to think of the women currently battling the disease or those who will be diagnosed in the future and raise money to help beat this illness.
"It is absolutely fantastic to receive this generous donation from those who organised and supported the fashion show. Every single penny will help us in the fight against the disease.
"These are very exciting times for breast cancer research at the University of Aberdeen because we recently joined forces with what used to be known as the Rowett Research Institute. Together we are researching a number of possible causes for breast cancer.
"It is estimated that 30% of cancers have a strong link with diet so I would expect that the money raised from the fashion show will help further our research into this area. We can't thank all of our donors enough."
Concert in memory of north-east musician nets £15,000 for Aberdeen cancer research team
A concert held for the second time in memory of a popular north-east musician has netted more than £15,000 for research into two of Scotland’s fastest rising cancers.
Today (Thursday, April 14) Joyce Byrne, wife of the late Paddy Byrne - who suffered from gullet cancer - and his close friend and band mate John Barclay - who is in remission from stomach cancer - will hand over a cheque to Dr Russell Petty the scientist and clinician who treated them both.
The money will help further research into gastric (stomach) and oesophageal cancers – which are among the most rapidly rising types of cancer in Scotland and rates in Scotland are among the highest in the world.
A concert was held on February 26 in memory of Paddy, who lived in Inverurie and was a well known face in the local music scene, and tickets sold out in days.
It was the second time the concert has been staged and it has grown in size – almost doubling last year’s fundraising effort of £8,000 and bringing the total raised for the Grampian Gastroeosphageal Cancer Research Fund or GASTROCAN, which was set up by Dr Petty, to £23,000.
While advances have been made in treatment to control gastroeosphageal cancer, cure rates remain low especially in comparison to other cancer types.
A patient with breast cancer has an eight out of 10 chance of completely beating the disease, compared with just one in 10 gastroesophgeal cancer patients. Gastrosophgeal cancer is seen as a priority area for medical research and GASTROCAN supports local research work into the disease.
Paddy, who was a material controller with an offshore supply company, was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in September 2007 and lost his battle with the disease in January 2008, aged 63.
John, who played in various bands with Paddy over 25 years including The Epics — was also diagnosed with stomach cancer in June 2008 but is now in remission.
He played at the fundraising bash in Paddy’s memory with their band The Epics, while four other outfits also took to the stage at Garioch Sports Centre, Inverurie.
John, from Danestone, Aberdeen, said: “It was a fantastic night and we were absolutely delighted that so many people came along and helped us celebrate Paddy and raise funds at the same time.
“We wanted to raise money for Dr Petty because stomach and gullet cancers don’t seem to receive the same research funds as other cancers.”
Dr Petty, Clinical Senior Lecturer in Medical Oncology at the University of Aberdeen, and Consultant Medical Oncologist with NHS Grampian, added: “Our research projects include clinical trials of the latest drugs for gastroesophageal cancer patients and investigations into the causes of gastroesophageal cancer.
“We are also looking at the symptoms of the disease and how patients and GPs react to them and we are also exploring how new imaging and scanning techniques can be used to improve how the best treatment for patients is selected. A key aim of all our research is to move towards more personalised optimised treatment that has the best chance of success rather than the current ‘one size fits all’ approach”
“It is thanks to donations like this we can continue our fight against this rapidly increasing disease and, as a result of this generous donation from John and Joyce, we have been able to employ a research technician to support the team and have established The North of Scotland upper gastrointestinal cancer tumour bank as an invaluable resource for research.”
He said local fundraising efforts were making a real difference to the research his team is able to carry out.
“In February patient Nick Cook and his wife Janice, with the help of his employer E.ON Ruhrgas, donated £3,000 to GASTROCAN for which we were extremely grateful,” he added.
“As a result of the publicity for their donation, we have received a further 25 donations for GASTROCAN totalling £6,615.48. This total will be boosted with Gift Aid and the donations are still coming in yet.
“In addition, there are a number of people raising funds by taking part in Run Balmoral, which so far has raised over £3,000.
“All the money raised will be ploughed into our work here at the University of Aberdeen where we are trying to take breakthroughs in the lab and develop them into better treatments for patients with these types of cancer.”
Ride the North - for UCAN
Ride the North is a sponsored bike ride, in aid of the North-east urological cancer charity UCAN, which is closely associated with the University.
Covering 220 miles in 3 days (2-4 June), RIDE the NORTH is the 2011 cycling challenge to support UCAN and Urological Cancer Care in the North of Scotland. The route is centred on the North East of Scotland, starting in Aberdeen and taking in Banffshire, the Moray coast, Strathisla, Donside and Deeside before climbing the Cairn o’Mount to finish in Stonehaven.
It’s an opportunity to cycle through some of the hidden corners of the North East on a signposted route along the back-roads through local villages and taking in some wonderful scenery …and maybe a couple of small hills along the way. Cyclists will have the back-up of a full support team on what promises to be a rewarding experience that benefits an excellent cause. It’s not a race, just cycle at your pace and ‘enjoy’ the ride!
UCAN is a charity dedicated to tackling Urological Cancers. The four main urological cancers are kidney, prostate, bladder and testicular cancers. By creating a Centre of Excellence serving the North of Scotland, UCAN spearhead a vigorous programme to raise awareness, improve information and prevention, to evaluate, research and pioneer new technologies for diagnosis and treatment and to offer support for patients and their families.
For more information visit http://www.ucan-ridethenorth.org/ or contact the UCAN office on 01224 559312 or email kate.synott@abdn.ac.uk
UCAN are delighted to have the support of the Aberdeen-based sales and service company 'Gas & Oil Technology' as sponsors of the 2011 Ride The North.
Vitamin D and cancer links explored thanks to fundraising walk
A new study is about to get underway which will explore potential links between vitamin D – the ‘sunshine’ vitamin – breast cancer and sunshine levels in the North East of Scotland.
Around 2,000 women attending Aberdeen’s breast cancer centre will be recruited onto the research which is among six University of Aberdeen studies being funded by the Moonlight Prowl – a breast cancer fundraising walk now in its fifth year that takes place in Fraserburgh.
We need vitamin D to keep our bones healthy and our bodies produce it when we are exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun.
But some studies have suggested possible links between vitamin D deficiencies and a number of different cancers.
A University of Aberdeen study has also shown that women living in Aberdeen have a higher rate of vitamin D deficiency than women living in Surrey where UV exposure is greater, especially in the summer months.
Professor Steve Heys, Cancer Research Programme Leader at the University, said: “Previous research has shown a risk factor between vitamin D deficiencies and a range of different cancers.
“However this particular study will focus on breast cancer and by examining blood samples and lifestyle questionnaires we will try to unravel the complexities in the relationship between vitamin D and the disease.
“This new study, which we are launching shortly, is only possible thanks to organisers and walkers on the Moonlight Prowl which is funding a range of important breast cancer studies and equipment for research in the North of Scotland, focused here in Aberdeen.
“This is a unique and absolutely fantastic contribution that the Moonlight Prowl, its organisers, the people of Fraserburgh, and the North of Scotland, have made to cancer research, and with important results already.”
Margaret-Jane Cardno, Event Secretary of the Prowl, added: “We are absolutely delighted that the money raised by the Moonlight Prowl is helping to fund a project that is so pertinent to the North-east of Scotland.
“All funds raised by walkers remain in the Aberdeen area and so far the Prowl has raised £345,000 which is supporting six different breast cancer research projects at the University of Aberdeen.
“But we want to raise even more money for local breast cancer research and to do that we need more women to join us on our next Moonlight Prowl which takes place on June 5 in Fraserburgh. Registration closes at the end of this month and we want as many women as possible to get involved.”
Patient turns fundraiser to give to cancer research
An Aberdeen offshore worker who has a type of cancer which is increasingly prevalent in Scotland is today (Tuesday, Feb 15) donating money to a new cancer research fund set up by his oncologist.
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_rdax_800x580.jpg "Nick Cook"){kind=small}
_rdax_800x532.jpg "Janice and Nick Cook"){kind=small}
_rdax_800x522.jpg "Janice and Nick Cook with Dr Russell Petty"){kind=small}
_rdax_800x532.jpg "GASTROCAN donation"){kind=small}
Nick Cook, a subsea construction engineer with E.ON Ruhrgas UK E & P Ltd, was diagnosed with oesophageal or gullet cancer in May 2009 after a spell of feeling unwell.
The following month the 56-year-old underwent chemotherapy treatment, followed by surgery and then radiotherapy before another gruelling round of chemo. Nick is now receiving palliative care for his cancer which is one of the most difficult cancers to treat.
Gastric (stomach) and oesophageal cancers are among the most rapidly rising types of cancer in Scotland and rates in Scotland are among the highest in the world.
While advances have been made in treatment to control gastroeosphageal cancer, cure rates remain low especially in comparison to other cancer types.
A patient with breast cancer has an eight out of 10 chance of completely beating the disease, compared with just one in 10 gastroesophgeal cancer patients. Gastrosophgeal cancer is seen as a priority area for medical research.
Nick and his wife Janice, who live in Aberdeen, decided to fundraise for the Grampian Gastroeosphageal Cancer Research Fund or GASTROCAN which was set up at the University of Aberdeen by Nick’s oncologist Dr Russell Petty to support local research work.
And Nick’s employer E.ON Ruhrgas was only too happy to help.
Janice said: “Nick has been treated so well it was a way of giving something back. Once we started fundraising, family, friends and our workmates really got behind us.”
E.ON Ruhrgas donated tickets for a day’s racing at Knockhill that were bid for at a blind auction. E.ON Ruhrgas, The Regus Group, Inn at the Park, Malmaison, Skene House, ADIL and Stewart Davidson also donated prizes for a raffle.
E.ON Ruhrgas then matched the funds raised by Nick and Janice to take the total being handed over to GASTROCAN today to £3,000.
Dr Petty, consultant medical oncologist at NHS Grampian and a clinical senior lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, is delighted at the donation.
He said: “I am extremely grateful that Nick thought to take the time to raise funds for research into gastroeosphageal cancer and it is tremendous that E.ON Ruhrgas have supported Nick and Janice’s efforts and matched the money they raised.
“All of their donation will go to GASTROCAN which was set up support local research efforts into this devastating disease.”
Dr Petty specialises in the treatment of gastroesophgeal cancer. He leads University and NHS Grampian research into the causes and treatment of the disease and set up GASTROCAN at the University to further this work.
He added: “Our research projects include clinical trials of the latest drugs for gastroesophageal cancer patients and investigations into the causes of gastroesophageal cancer.
“We are also looking at the symptoms of the disease and how patients and GPs react to them and we are also exploring how new imaging and scanning techniques can be used to improve how the best treatment for patients is selected.
“A key aim of all our research involves trying to develop tests called biomarkers to enable doctors to individualise cancer therapy for patients to optimise the chances of success and minimise side effects, rather than the current 'one size fits all' approach.
“It is thanks to donations like this we can continue our fight against this rapidly increasing disease.
The GASTROCAN fund has been used recently to support the establishment of the 'North of Scotland Upper Gastrointestinal Tumour Bank' which will be a key resource to support research into the disease.