Gastrocan researchers to benefit from over £30,000 raised at an annual Summer Marquee Ball in Banchory
Banchory residents, groups and businesses have joined forces to raise over £30,000 for University of Aberdeen cancer research charity GASTROCAN.
The annual fundraiser, held at Raemoir House Hotel, is organised by a dedicated group led by by Logan Sangster and Dawn Law. The Ball has also attracted a huge amount of community support with local business such as Riah Body and Soul organising a number of related events.
The income from this year’s event takes the total raised since 1998 to over £288,000 with many local charities benefitting over the years. The 2012 event raised the largest sum yet and Dr Russell Petty, Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen and Consultant Medical Oncologist at NHS Grampian, is delighted that the charity he heads has been chosen to benefit.
He said: “A donation like this will really make a difference to our clinical research programme and in turn, help us to develop more effective treatments so that we are able to offer all patients in the Grampian area, with these devastating forms of cancer, the very best treatments available, and in doing so, improve the cure rates for oesophageal and gastric cancers.
“In addition to this, the organisors of the ball have been very active in promoting awareness of Gastrocan, and the work it does in supporting research - which has been extremely helpful and encouraging to others to fund raise for us’
“The phenomenal sum raised is a testament to the hard work of Dawn and Logan who organised this event, and I am also very grateful to local residents and businesses. In addition I would like to thank Mr & Mrs Neil Rae of Raemoir House Hotel, for providing a truly sumptuous venue, and outstanding service for the occasion.”
GASTROCAN (Grampian Gastro-Oesophageal Cancer Research Fund) supports research to improve treatment for oesophageal and gastric cancer at the University of Aberdeen Medical School. All funds donated to GASTROCAN are used to support local research efforts into this devastating disease. This not only benefits local patients but enables the University of Aberdeen to lead national and international research projects, benefitting patients world-wide.
Fundraising income for GASTROCAN 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 cancer research in Aberdeen as well as many other activities.