Breast cancer research at the University of Aberdeen is to benefit from £10,000 raised at a spectacular evening of entertainment.
A group of local multi-talented ladies produced a spectacular show called ‘One Night Only’ at Aberdeen Arts Centre in October 2014 to raise almost £20,000 for cancer research in Aberdeen. The monies were split between the University of Aberdeen’s breast cancer research team who received £10,000 and Friends of Anchor.
The biennial fundraiser is organised by an enthusiastic and dedicated theatre group called Limelights which is led by Nikki Dunn. The show, which was a good old-fashioned cabaret variety night, consisted of tunes from musicals to Disney and from pop to contemporary. The money was raised, not just from ticket sales, but from extra monies collected on the night of the performance and through their online giving page. This, along with the money they donated after their 2012 extravaganza, means that they have given £22,000 to the University of Aberdeen’s breast cancer research.
Nikki and a number of her theatre group friends are breast cancer survivors who wanted to channel their energies into raising money to support research into this indiscriminate disease. Earlier in February Nikki and five of her friends visited the University’s Institute of Medical Sciences, where much of the breast cancer research is undertaken, to hand over their donation and to be given a tour of the facility. They were greeted and thanked by Professor Steve Heys and Professor Peter McCaffery. The group are well acquainted with Professor Heys who acted as clinician for two of them during their treatment but who also, as a talented musician himself, took part in the show with his pipe band.
Professor Heys, who is the University’s Chair in Applied Medicine stated “The funds raised by the Limelight Theatre Group at ‘One Night Only’ are vital to our research programme. They will be used to support the ongoing research programme here in the North East of Scotland into breast cancer. The current research projects are investigating how diet and the environment interact to cause breast cancer, why patients respond in different ways to the same treatment, and how we can support patients and their families in a better way through the cancer journey. Every penny raised goes towards this.”
Fundraising income for the University’s breast cancer 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 cancer research in Aberdeen as well as many other activities.