North West Cancer Research Merger
- Details
- Published on Friday, 02 November 2012 17:30
Two of the North West region’s most recognisable charities have become one from 1st November 2012. North West Cancer Research Fund (NWCRF) and Clatterbridge Cancer Research (CCR) officially came together to form..
North West Cancer Research Incorporating Clatterbridge Cancer Research
Based at the NWCRF offices in Oxford Street Liverpool, Anne Jackson will continue as Chief Executive Officer. North West Cancer Research becomes one of biggest the charities in region.
Before the merger, the charities each individually researched cancer in the North West. CCR’s research was linked directly to the patient while NWCRF’s research focused on the causes of cancer and how it spreads. The decision was made to join forces in order to form a charity that can broaden its essential cancer research across three main areas:
- Basic research is carried out in a laboratory and is the basis of Cancer Research. Cancer biology studies how cells work and tries to understand what makes cancer cells different to normal cells. Molecules such as proteins and DNA are also studied so that we may find out what has gone wrong when a cancer develops. These studies may identify new opportunities for treatment that would require further testing in pre-clinical trials
- Translational research is usually carried out in the laboratory and focuses on providing the link between the laboratory and patients. Practicing clinicians are heavily involved in implementing laboratory research and translating it into patient treatment
- Preventative research looks into the preventative measures that can be taken to stop cancer developing
By combining both charities, North West Cancer Research will become one of the biggest and most influential charities in the North West. With its increased strength and size, it will lead the way in understanding and ultimately fighting cancer with world-class research.
Michael Potts, President of NWCRF, said:"The activities of both charities complement each other and it makes sense to merge. We are all delighted that the merger has taken place and we look forward to an exciting and rewarding future."
John Lewys-Lloyd (Chairman of NWCRF) and Geoff Greenwood (Chairman of CCR) are to be the joint chairmen of the new charity. John Lewys-Lloyd said:“1 in 3 people are affected by cancer in some way. The merger means that we are able to increase the areas of research that we fund; hence the areas of investigation into cancer will broaden and will result in a more substantial cancer research funding body here in the North West.”
Geoff Greenwood said:“Given the local incidence of cancer, it is critical that the North West remains at the forefront of cancer research. This merger enables our charity to fulfill this role and provide a worthwhile function for local people."
Clatterbridge Cancer Research was founded by clinicians in the 1980s to support cancer research at Clatterbridge Hospital. Research was carried out on site, however in 2008 the research team moved to Liverpool within the Liverpool University's new cancer research centre.
NWCRF was founded in 1948 as Friends of the Liverpool Radium Institute with groups of friends joining together with a common aim to tackle cancer. Now, there are nearly 40 branches in the area from Cumbria to Mid Wales.
All money raised within the North West stays in the region and for every £1 donated, 85p goes directly to fund cancer research (follow this LINK to find out more)
Professor Malcolm Jackson currently chairman of the NWCRF Scientific Committee will continue in this role for the merged charity. Professor Malcolm Jackson said:“The Scientific Committee’s research strategy will widen and remains committed to funding world-class and innovative research grants in order to better understand cancer and potentially lead to breakthroughs and pathfinders.”
With an annual expenditure of £2m between the two charities, research is carried out at the Universities of Liverpool, Lancaster and Bangor. Three professorial chairs are funded at Liverpool and senior lectureship posts are funded at both Lancaster and Bangor. There are about 25 further cancer research projects funded together with a clinical research team at Liverpool University.
