Thousands aid work of cancer researchers

A Cancer Research Centre opened at Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield, in 1999, and since then volunteers from around the region have helped medics by putting themselves forward for clinical trials.

The work was made possible with the support of Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity which raised 2m to create the building, and ever since has funded posts for medical researchers.

The charity still continues to provide support for research projects at the purpose-built centre – which has not only helped individual patients but has contributed to national and international trials to develop and improve cancer treatments.

Professor Rob Coleman, consultant oncologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, said: "The charity has been instrumental in the success of the centre which has contributed to national and international research.

"This has led to improvements in treatment and to greater life expectancy for many people with different forms of cancer in the past decade. We need the public's support to continue work that will help people with cancer, now and in the future."

The centre has enabled hundreds of clinical trials to be carried out, with research particularly focused on breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, melanoma and lymphatic cancer.

Rachel Thorpe, director of Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, said: "Research is an essential part of the work that we support through the charity. It is gratifying to know that so many people across the region have and will continue to benefit from the expertise and knowledge at the centre."