Queen's University granted half a million pounds for blood cancer research
Leukaemia and Lymphoma NI awards £500,000 grant to Queen’s University Belfast
Last updated 7th Sep 2020
Northern Ireland’s only charity dedicated to blood cancer research has donated £500,000 to Queens University Belfast to mark the start of Blood Cancer Awareness Month.
This research award is the second largest gift that the charity has donated to Queen’s Foundation in the last three years, with the previous package of £790,000 gifted in 2017.
The new money will ensure the recruitment of a research fellow and a supporting technician and will enable the research being conducted at the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research (PJCCR) to continue and build the blood cancer research network in Belfast.
Around 1,200 people are diagnosed with blood cancer every year in Northern Ireland, it is the fifth most common cancer and the third most fatal here.
The charity has raised over £13 million pounds for blood cancer research across the country since it was founded in 1964.
Chairman of Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI, Mr Richard Buchanan said: “Leukaemia and Lymphoma NI is delighted to be able to make this further commitment to blood cancer research at Queen’s University Belfast, particularly during these extremely challenging times for cancer research.
“This demonstrates our ongoing commitment to funding the science to beat blood cancer, as well as our support for continuing to attract world class scientists to the blood cancer team at the PGJCCR here in Belfast.
“We are dedicated to investing in local research and this investment further bridges the link between bench and bedside, as our research group is in a unique position.”
Leading the research team, Professor Ken Mills, Chair of Experimental Haematology at Queen’s University Belfast said:
“Queen’s and Leukaemia and Lymphoma NI have a longstanding relationship which has had a hugely beneficial impact on those living with blood cancer here in Northern Ireland and elsewhere.
“This latest funding will provide additional support for the important work of my research group – which has grown considerably thanks to previous investment by the charity – and will, I have no doubt, deliver much improved outcomes for patients.”
Patron of Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI, Ken Reid said: “Receiving a blood cancer diagnosis is a frightening event that changes your life and that of your family forever.
“This significant gift from our Charity to Queen’s University is an investment in hope for the future for all patients like me who are suffering from Leukaemia and other blood cancers.
“It is reassuring to know that it will be used to support research being carried out in Northern Ireland which will benefit people here and further afield.”
To find out more about the work of the charity and how to get involved, please contact Joanne Badger, Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI Co-ordinator at info@llni.co.uk or visit www.llni.org.uk