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UCF Hold 34th Annual General Meeting
By Derval Keenan, 2/3/2005 4:42:09 PM
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The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) recently held their 34th Annual General Meeting at the Kings Hall Conference Centre, Belfast.
Chaired by Mrs Iris Colvin, President of UCF, the evening celebrated another successful year for the charity. Dr. Ben Moran, Chairman, UCF reported on the Annual Report of Council, while Dr. J. Desmond McMullan, Honorary Treasurer, UCF, relayed the audited accounts and financial report 2003-2004 which showed a fantastic income for the year of £2.8 million.
UCF combats cancer by providing immediate and sustained care for patients and their families, by supporting local research and by prevention programmes and public campaigns that help save lives.
One of the research posts funded by UCF is Dr. David Waugh PhD, Lecturer at the Oncology Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queens University, Belfast.
Prostate cancer research is the principal focus of the Chemokine Biology and Metastasis Research Group working in The Ulster Cancer Foundation Laboratory at Belfast City Hospital directed by Dr. David Waugh, Lecturer in Moleculor Oncology, School of Medicine, Queens University Belfast.
At the AGM, Dr. Waugh gave an informative lecture on his research, which focuses on ?New Insights into Prostate Cancer?. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed male cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in men, accounting for over 10,000 deaths annually in the UK.
Given that metastasis is the primary cause of death amongst sufferers of this disease, Dr. Waugh?s research programme is concerned with addressing the role of proteins whose function is related to the promotion of metastasis.
This research in prostate cancer aims to identify novel strategies for earlier detection of the disease, to understand why particular treatments fail, why the disease progresses rapidly in certain patients and not others and finally to determine the genes and proteins that confer the ability of prostate cancer cells to spread preferentially to the bone. In combination, outcomes from research programmes across the world will be vital in offering more effective therapies and increased hope to prostate cancer patients.
Arlene Spiers, Chief Executive, UCF said, ?Many cancers previously thought incurable are now being treated successfully, with scientific research over the past twenty years helping to improve survival rates. UCF is one of the leading investors in cancer research in Northern Ireland and our policy, implemented by an advisory panel of cancer research experts is to pump-prime innovative and groundbreaking research in our local universities.
?Cancer is a disease of major significance, which touches the lives of all of us however there are many ways to prevent and treat the disease. Our work is made possible by the commitment and generosity of many people and has ensured that substantial advances are being made. There is of course considerable work to be done and as a local charity, which receives no statutory funding, UCF relies totally on voluntary contributions from the community for its work. UCF is a local charity, which spends all funds raised in Northern Ireland for the benefit of local people.
?I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your contribution to the life saving work of UCF over the past thirty-four years and I hope that I can count on your continued support.?
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For further information please contact:
Joyce Savage, Head of Appeals and Marketing, UCF on
028 9049 2007 / 07867 901392
OR
Derval Keenan, PR and Events Officer, UCF on
028 9049 2007 / 07812 525531
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