News releases
COLON CANCER TO BE ONE OF THE TARGETS AT NORTH WEST CANCER RESEARCH FUND INSTITUTE, BANGOR
25 July 2005
On 23 July 2005, it will be exactly one year since the North West Cancer Research Fund Institute in the University of Wales, Bangor was opened by Professor Eric Sunderland, Lord Lieutenant of Gwynedd.
Costing �3.5 million, it was created as a dedicated centre of research excellence in Wales with a mission to carry out world class research into the fundamental causes of tumour development.� In one of the most exciting developments, the Institute is now to extend its research to focus on cancers which are prevalent in Wales.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in Wales in both men and women and is the second most common cause of cancer death in Wales.�
Dr Thomas Caspari was recruited to the top job of Director of the Institute in February 2005.� The Bavarian born scientist comes from a background in academia and industry.
Dr Caspari said, 'The work which takes place in the Institute is basic research and this lends itself to being generic rather than cancer specific.� When I discovered, though, the above average cancer burden in Wales I took the decision to expand our research strategy to include specifically research into such prevalent cancers.� It seems to me only right that we should be targeting our efforts into those areas where there is most need.'
'Alongside this, we shall still be continuing with our generic research. The incidences of cancer in Wales are higher than in most other European countries and, in North Wales, there is an increased risk of developing cancer.� This is especially so in Denbighshire and Conwy.� It is widely acknowledged that the best research takes place close to where the patient base is and that is what is happening in the Institute.'
Seventeen scientists have now been recruited and a further 5 will be in place by October 2005.� The appointment of people with the required levels of knowledge and skills was essential to ensure that cancer research of the highest quality would take place and so recruitment has been across Europe.� The result is that there is now a highly international mix in the Institute with scientists from Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Poland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
In the first year, research projects have attracted funding of over �1 million including monies from North West Cancer Research Fund.
Mr John Lewys-Lloyd, Chairman of� North West Cancer Research Fund, said, 'We are very pleased with the progress which has been made since the Institute opened.� We contributed a significant sum - hard raised money by our volunteers - towards its creation and it is satisfying to see this investment starting to bear fruit.'
The Institute is part of the Wales Cancer Network, a new initiative which was launched in January 2005.� It is a network of scientists, clinicians, the NHS and external stakeholders.� The Institute is now establishing a Basic Science Network to allow better collaboration between scientists and this will be developed through the Wales Cancer Network.�
North West Cancer Research Fund gave �432,000 to help to create the Institute.� The Fund has 10 voluntary committees in North and Mid Wales all of which are run by volunteers and it was their efforts which helped to raise the funding for the Institute.� Founded in 1948, throughout its 57 year history, an average of nearly 90p in every � raised has consistently been spent directly on research.
The Fund's voluntary committees in Wales are in: Aberdovey, Harlech, Holywell, Llandudno, Llanfairfechan & Aber, Machynlleth, Mold, Prestatyn, Ruthin and Tywyn.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Judith Roberts, press officer, North West Cancer Research Fund, on
0151 236 6605 or 0774 00 626 99
If you have helped to collect money for The North West Cancer Research Fund, don't forget to tell us all about how you raised the money so we can publicise your efforts.