Our Winter Ball came back with a bang after a two year hiatus!
NOVEMBER 2022
❄❄❄ Winter Ball ❄❄❄ What a night we had our Winter Ball at Fota Island Resort earlier this month. It was such a privilege to be surrounded by so many survivors of cancer and Breakthrough-funded researchers. We would like to extend our immense gratitude to everyone who attended on the night and donated in any way. A special word of thanks to distinguished guests, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Deputy Mayor of County Cork Cllr. Deirdre O’Brien and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath. The night would not have been possible without the support of our fantastic volunteer Ball Committee and so many businesses, both locally and up and down the country, who donated such generous auction and raffle prizes. We’re absolutely delighted to share that almost €60,000 was raised. Without support like this we wouldn’t be able to continue our research investment to find new, better, kinder and smarter treatments for people with cancer and for that we are truly grateful.
PANCREATIC CANCER November 17th was World Pancreatic Day, a day where survivors of pancreatic cancer and Breakthrough Cancer Research highlighted the urgent need for additional research into this cancer, which currently has a poor 5-year survival rate of just 10%. Pamela Deasy, a survivor of pancreatic cancer from Union Hall in Cork, believes research is the only way to change this as she recounts her personal experience. ‘My journey started in 2018. I was having stomach issues and severe tiredness for a few months before going to the doctor. At the start I was given tablets but I was miserable and everything was getting on top of me so I was sent for tests and got my diagnoses. I was shocked. I thought it was game over when I heard the word pancreatic. The survival rate is so low. I thought I needed to get my affairs in order and started writing everything down – mortgage, bank accounts etc. – and thankfully I haven’t had to look at that book since. I had to wait a month before starting chemotherapy and then went on a combined course of radiotherapy, followed by surgery, where they removed a piece of my spleen, intestines, stomach etc. – it was like a rewiring – and then I got the all clear thankfully.’ ‘I got involved with Breakthrough Cancer Research earlier this year as I know the importance of research. If I had got my diagnosis 10 years ago, I wouldn’t be here. The more research that is done, the better the treatments will be and the more survivors.’ Orla Dolan, CEO of Breakthrough Cancer Research, said, ‘There are new discoveries and new ideas being developed every day for pancreatic cancer that are just waiting for funding. New knowledge means new ideas and leads to better ways to detect and treat this cancer. One of the key factors in determining a positive outcome for people with pancreatic cancer is early detection. However, unlike other cancers where you can see or feel a lump, the pancreas is internal. So, by the time people notice something is wrong, the tumour has often grown very large or has already spread outside the pancreas, which makes it more difficult to treat. There is currently no screening programme or single test to diagnose pancreatic cancer, as it is not a common cancer and has a low survival rate, so this is the first thing that we want to change. Every breakthrough brings us closer to a future where all forms of cancer can be treated effectively, and survivorship is greatly increased.’ As with all cancers, early detection and diagnosis play such an important role so please take the time to familiarise yourself with the risks, signs and symptoms.
Musgrave PhD Scholar 2022Meet David Hackett, our recently awarded Musgrave PhD Scholar 2022. David is a PhD student atTrinity College Dublin who will be focusing his work on pancreatic cancer. People diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have an extremely poor prognosis and 90% of all pancreatic cancers are PDAC. Currently, most people will die within one year of diagnosis because pancreatic adenocarcinoma usually responds poorly to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Patients can expect only a slightly longer life with these conventional therapies. David will work with supervisor Dr. Stephen Maher in Trinity College Dublin to learn why this cancer resists chemotherapy and radiotherapy and to identify biomarkers that can guide therapeutic choices. David’s project will investigate a promising new RNA-based therapeutic strategy to improve the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy, improving survival rates. You can hear more from David byclicking here.
🎅🎄🤶 Christmas Cards On Sale Now These beautiful designs have been donated by Irish Artist Fiona Turley. The purchase of each card will help fund vital front-line research supported by Breakthrough Cancer Research. Your purchase of these cards will 100% make a difference 10 Christmas Cards for €10 100% Irish, 100% of the proceeds to research.
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