Latest news with #BloodCancerUK
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Researcher awarded £300k to study blood cancer treatment
A researcher has been awarded £300,000 to investigate new treatments for aggressive blood cancers. Dr Luciano Nicosia, based at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute at the University of Manchester, received the funding through Blood Cancer UK's Early Career Advancement Fellowship programme. His research will focus on developing more targeted therapies for myeloma and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), two of the most difficult blood cancers to treat. Dr Nicosia said: "I'm thrilled to receive the Blood Cancer UK Early Career Advancement Fellowship. "This support will enable me to investigate how an exciting drug, with promising preclinical and clinical data, could be made more effective in addressing difficult to treat blood cancers like acute myeloid leukaemia and myeloma." Blood cancer is the UK's third biggest cancer killer, claiming more than 15,000 lives each year. Dr Nicosia's work centres on a new drug called CCS1477, which targets proteins that drive the growth of blood cancer cells. READ MORE: Boots forced to make huge change for customers after spate of thefts in UK Wanderers run the rule over experienced former Wigan Athletic keeper Postcode lottery win makes it a weekend to remember for residents While some patients have responded well to the drug in early studies, others have not, and the reasons for this are not yet understood. The research will examine how CCS1477 works at a molecular level to identify which patients are most likely to benefit. It will also look at whether combining the drug with existing treatments could improve outcomes for those who do not respond to CCS1477 alone. The fellowship comes as Blood Cancer UK launches a new £70 million research strategy focused on prevention, early detection, and better treatments. Dr Richard Francis, deputy director of research at Blood Cancer UK, said: "Blood cancer is the UK's third largest cancer killer, taking away more than 15,000 lives every year. "Fellowships like these give early career researchers the security and support to build their own teams and drive the discoveries that will help us beat blood cancer. "We're investing in science that changes lives and Dr Nicosia's project is an exciting step forward in finding better, more personalised treatments for people with limited options."
BBC News
07-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Jersey children to take part in mini triathlon
Children in Jersey will take part in a children's triathlon this weekend to raise money for blood Jersey Kids' Triathlon will take place at the Les Quennevais Sports Centre in St Brelade with children running, cycling and swimming over a short race, which is open to six to 13 year-olds, will be a "fun sporting event" with "no winners and losers - only achievers," organisers said everybody taking part would get "a complimentary event t-shirt, medal and goody bag full of surprises". Children in the youngest age group - Years 2 and 3 - will swim 25m (27 yards), cycle 1.5km (0.93 miles) and run 600m (656 yards).Those in the oldest age group - Years 6 to 8 - will swim 100m (109 yards), cycle 4.5km (2.8 miles) and run 1200m (1313 yards).The event is raising money for the Jersey branch of Blood Cancer UK.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'My wife thinks I'm nuts': Dad battling blood cancer taking on huge cycle challenge
A dad of two battling blood cancer is set to cycle 250 miles across Scotland for charity. Robert Howat, 50, from Kilbarchan, was diagnosed in 2024 with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, a type of blood cancer. Despite the diagnosis, he plans to help fund research by raising money and awareness for Blood Cancer UK. He will join two friends for a cycling challenge coast-to-coast from Stranraer to Eyemouth in June. Robert Howat (Image: Supplied) The ride will take place over two days. To donate to Robert's fundraising campaign for Blood Cancer UK, go to He said: "When I got the diagnosis, I thought, what can I do to show people you can still live fully and help others while you're at it? "I'm on watch and wait, so I go in for check-ups every few months, and I want to show people what you can do with a blood cancer." (Image: Supplied) He will be cheered on by his wife, daughters, and friends, even though his wife called the challenge "mad" and thought he was "nuts" for doing it. According to Robert, he was always fit and healthy and never smoked, so the blood cancer diagnosis came as a shock. He said: "It's been a shock for the family, but I'm still trying to process why it's happened. "I did everything right, I'm fit and healthy, I don't smoke, yet I've been dealt this hand." The former police officer, now working at Glasgow Airport, admitted that the diagnosis and subsequent treatment could impact his ability to train as vigorously as he used to. He said: "I have to be careful, CLL affects your immune system, so I need to avoid infection and balance exercise with recovery. "I can't train like I used to." Mairead Macleod, Scotland fundraising manager at Blood Cancer UK, said: "Having chronic leukaemia, a blood cancer, can be hard enough to navigate, and it's incredible Robert is still able to push himself to raise awareness and funds for Blood Cancer UK. "Blood cancer is the UK's fifth most common blood cancer. "It's because of the determination of people like Robert, we are able to fund more research into the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of blood cancers. "He's pedalling us closer to the day where we beat blood cancer for good." Robert hopes to encourage others grappling with a cancer diagnosis to live fully, saying: "When I was well in the past I've run marathons, done tough mudders, and long bike rides but this is different. "This one means more. "I'm doing it show people you can still live with a cancer diagnosis."
Daily Record
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Outlander star Sam Heughan shares 'incredible' achievement as co-stars shower him with praise
Outlander star Sam Heughan has been applauded by fans and co-stars after achieving an impressive goal. The Scots actor, best known for his role of Jamie Fraser on the hit Starz show , has raised a whopping £40,000 for Blood Cancer UK after running the London Marathon on Sunday where he completed an amazing 26.2 miles. Sam, who is the founder of fitness company My Peak Challenge, was not alone in his efforts as he was joined by his fellow 'Peakers' to conquer the challenge together. Sam, who is a seasoned pro at marathons with this weekend's race being his sixth one to date, took to Instagram this weekend to share his victory with his 4.4m followers. The Dumfries born star posted snaps from the event, including a close up of him beaming with his gold medal around his neck. The 44-year-old gave a special mention to the @mypeakchallenge Cheer Zone, the online support from Peakers, Hugo and Lisa, and the entire @bloodcancer_uk team for their encouragement and warm welcome at the finish line. He captioned the post: "Incredible day running through the streets of London! THANK YOU for all the support, wow London really shines in the sun! And boy did the sun shine…. "Special shout out to our @mypeakchallenge Cheer Zone, the huge Peaker online support, Hugo and Lisa and the whole @bloodcancer_uk team for cheering and welcoming us at the finish line with snacks, water and smiles. "So proud, we have raised almost £40,000 to help fund and raise #bloodcancerawareness. Thank you! oh, got a high five from fellow Scot @gordongram on the course too!" Hell's Kitchen chef Gordon Ramsay was also present on the day as he cheered on his two children Megan and Jack who were taking on the marathon. Sam's Outlander co-stars have showered the actor in praise for his charitable achievement. Tim Downie, who portrayed Governor Tyron in Outlander, was among those who expressed admiration for Sam's accomplishment. He penned: "Absolute legend. Incredible", accompanied by applauding and heart emojis. Meanwhile Romann Berrux, who plays Fergus in Outlander, simply declared: "GOAT." Neil Hudson, who portrays Laoghaire MacKenzie in Outlander, responded with clapping hand emojis. Additionally, renowned coach Thomas DeLauer commented: "Atta boy!" The official My Peak Challenge account chimed in: "What an incredible day! Thank you to our amazing community for supporting @bloodcancer_uk and Coach Sam." Fans who would like to donate to Sam's JustGiving page, which has now raised over £40,000 for Blood Cancer UK can do so here. The story on the page states: "In honour of 10 years of My Peak Challenge, Sam is running the London Marathon 2025 - and he's dedicating every mile to Blood Cancer UK, our official charity partner for this milestone year. "This run is about more than just crossing a finish line. It's about pushing boundaries, celebrating resilience, and standing up for those affected by blood cancer. Every mile Sam runs is a reminder that together we can transform challenges into change. "You can sponsor a mile to fuel Sam's run and help us raise life-changing funds for research, support, and hope. "1 in 3 people don't survive their blood cancer and we lose them in the first five years after diagnosis. Too many people are dying from the most complex and aggressive forms of blood cancer - blood cancers that are the hardest to treat." Sam has been active on social media following the wrap of Outlander season 7 back in January. Fans are currently waiting in anticipation for season 8, which does not have a confirmed release date as of yet. Meanwhile, the prequel series titled Outlander: Blood of My Blood is set to debut later this year.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Man cycles 500km from North Yorkshire to London for Blood Cancer UK
James Badger recently cycled 500km from North Yorkshire to London in memory of his late wife Philippa. He was joined for the feat by director of York-based dust extraction firm APS, Adrian Ogden. Mr Badger's challenge saw him cycle 500km from St James' Church, in Birstwith, to St James's, in London, on a 42-year-old tandem bike, with the bike's age being the same as that of his wife when she sadly passed away. The feat took place across the three days leading up to the London Marathon (Sunday, April 27) - in which Mr Badger also took part. Mr Badger's wife was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2022, and died two days later while being treated with chemotherapy at St James's University Hospital in Leeds. The Tandem to the Thames challenge is in aid of Blood Cancer UK, raising funds for a York University research project into Acute Myeloid Leukaemia treatments. To donate, please visit
