We are very excited to report that we have started work on developing our overall strategic plan for the next 3-5 years. A very important part of this process for us is consulting with key people like you, our supporters, to inform our direction and priorities for the coming years.
As a tremendous supporter of Breakthrough’s vision, and someone who is perfectly positioned to give insight from the perspective of those who believe in the power and impact of our research, we are hoping you would be happy to complete this short survey for us. You truly are part of Breakthrough Cancer Research's journey, and your help will aid us in developing the future of cancer research. Your insights and perspective are invaluable.
It would be great if you could complete the survey by August 5th please. It is so important to us that we get your input in this exciting process.
September marks our 10th birthday! To celebrate this occasion, we are holding our very first national collection day. As you know, we are 100% funded by the generosity of the public, so to be able to have our first national fundraising day on streets all around the country is really special. It’s a fantastic opportunity to raise the vital funds we need to invest into finding new, better, kinder and smarter treatments for people with cancer.
However we can't do it alone, we need your help! Would you, or anyone you know, be interested in helping out? The dates are the 22nd and 23rd of September at various locations around the country. If you think you could spare a few hours, we would be so grateful.
Please contact Mary on 021 4226655 or mary@breakcancer.ie for more information.
We're excited to announce a new immunology research fellowship as a result of extraordinary funds raised by employees at Qualtrics EMEA (Headquartered in Dublin), through their 5 For The Fight campaign.This team of extraordinary individuals has raised over €1 million for cancer research in Ireland which is truly astounding and we are truly grateful for their ongoing support.
People with oesophageal cancer (cancer of the food-pipe) receive treatments that only work for 30% of people. Therefore, approximately 70% of people with oesophageal cancer will not benefit from chemo-radiotherapy, and urgently need new treatments.
Our immune system is designed to kill cancer cells, but in people who have cancer the immune system is weakened. Today, only 1 in 5 people with oesophageal cancer will survive more than five years. That’s not good enough!
This Cancer Immunology Research Fellowship has been awarded to Dr. Melissa Conroy at Trinity College Dublin. Dr. Conroy is the principal investigator and will bring some of the best minds together to study this problem. Dr. Conroy’s research will focus on putting natural killer cells – cancer assassins – to work for good.
Natural killer (NK) cells destroy cancer cells, but in obese oesophageal cancer patients, NK cells are pulled into the visceral fat by a protein called fractalkine. Once in the fat, NK cells are profoundly altered and die before they can reach the tumour.
In oesophageal tumours, the highest obesity levels are linked to the lowest numbers of NK cells. We know a drug called CX3CR1 antagonist targets the action of fractalkine and can block fractalkine from pulling NK cells into the fat.
Now, Dr. Conroy and her team of researchers will test whether this drug can free NK cells from the fat so that they could move towards, and kill oesophageal cancer cells. Through their research we'll also learn if NK cell therapies can be changed to bypass the fat and boost tumour destruction in oesophageal cancer.
Ultimately, we'll learn if two new immunotherapies can improve survival in oesophageal cancer. Dr. Conroy commented ‘Our goal is to improve survival rates in oesophageal cancer. We are so grateful to 5 For The Fight and Breakthrough Cancer Research without whom this research would not be possible.’
Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle 2022
The 2nd of July saw a team of 1,300 amazing cyclists taking to the highways and byways of the South West of Ireland to complete the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle.
This cycle was certainly no walk in the park, especially with the challenging weather conditions this year. There was a small army of Breakthrough Cancer Research volunteers from the start line in Killarney, the Water Station in Glenbeigh, the Food Station in Kenmare to the finish line in Killarney. That's not even mentioning the other support volunteers throughout the ring such as medical support, sweeps drivers, motorbike and cycle marshals. They volunteered their time knowing how important this event is, as indeed each of you are, to us.
The money raised from this year’s cycle will go towards a very exciting research project that is examining the impact that bacteria is having on treatments for people receiving immunotherapies. We already know from other studies that bacteria can have an influence on treatment outcomes, and so we hope that, if successful, this project will help to create more personalised cancer treatments for people with cancer.
We are thrilled to report that currently, through fundraisers and other donations received online during registration,the challenge has raised well over €150,000, which is truly incredible!
As we are entirely funded by the kindness and generosity of the general public, it is important to note that none of our all-important cancer research would be possible without amazing people like you. You are very much a part of our cutting-edge research projects, that aim to Make More Survivors of some of the hardest to treat cancers. Click here to find out more about some of the research projectswhich are only possible through generous support like yours.
You are receiving this email because you are a Breakthrough Cancer Research supporter or subscriber. We wish to keep you updated on the amazing research and cancer trials that your generous donations are funding. Please note that you can unsubscribe at any time. Thank you as always for your support.
