We are glad to say that we have been very busy this past six months and have managed to send £18,621 to Blood Cancer UK. We are not raising as much money as we used to but considering the economy and the break we had to take from fund raising during Covid, we are very pleased with this achievement. We are grateful to all the runners and helpers who turned up for our annual Fun Run and helped raise £12,850. After a two-year break, we are slowly getting more participants but the numbers are still low compared to pre-covid times. We were able to restart our quiz at the Court Leet and raised £672. Thank you to everyone who helped at the Elizabethan Market which raised £303. We were able to help with the Walk of Light at Cannon Hill Park and thanks to Martyn, Chris Stuart, and Harry Singh, we raised over £3000 for our branch. Finally, we also would like to add that our thoughts are with Clare, a former committee member, who lost her dad recently to blood cancer.
September is not far away, and we have prepared a few events for you to enjoy.
MORRISON COLLECTION FRIDAY 28TH JULY
We will be using buckets rather than tins and now have access to a card reader as we are aware that not everyone carries cash anymore and it may be easier to get a donation that way. We took over £80 from cards at the last collection, so this is well worth having. If you are free anytime between 3 and 5 on that day, please contact Nicole nicnoelharris@aol.com
QUIZ NIGHT FRIDAY 13TH OCTOBER
This will take place at the Court Leet (Hungry Horse) Worcester Road Bromsgrove at 7.30pm. Teams of 4 at £25 per team. Steve and his family will be present again. Contact Nicole on nicnoelharris@aol.com
CURRY EVENING FRIDAY 10th NOVEMBER
We will be having another Curry Night at Dine India in Catshill at 7.30pm. The cost of the meal is £22 per person and includes a choice from 3 starters and 3 mains, with rice and naan bread as well as a dessert. Dayl has also organised a fantastic raffle for the evening. Contact Nicole asap on nicnoelharris@aol.com
CHRISTMAS CARDS
Blood Cancer UK is now selling Christmas cards. I am waiting for a link to send to show you the stock. You will then be able to contact me to place an order.
TOMBOLA ITEMS
We have used up 400 tombola prizes and will need to replenish our stock for the Fun Run next year. A lot of those unwanted presents you may have, raise a great deal of money for our branch. So now that the children are on holiday and whilst doing some clearing out, you may find something which would be of use to us. We also would appreciate some raffle prizes if you have any.
BOTTLES WANTED
We always need some bottles for our raffle prizes. It doesn’t have to be alcoholic, we can raise money from anything you give us.
PERSIAN RUG
We have been donated a very dark blue rug. This is brand new and was worth £98 but would accept any reasonable offer for it. Just contact nicnoelharris@aol.com Measurements: 120 X 180.
TINS IN PUBS OR SHOPS
If you are able to put a collection tin in your shop or pub, do let Sue know and she will let you have a tin. A great deal of money can be raised that way
RESEARCH NEWS
Targeting tumour stroma could improve immunotherapy response in those with lymphoma
Researchers at King’s College London have shown how specific cells known as ‘fibroblast cells’ in lymphoma tumours suppress the body’s immune cells and immunotherapy treatment. The Blood Cancer UK funded work highlights the potential of harnessing these fibroblasts to help rejuvenate the body’s immune cells (T-cells) using novel immunotherapy drugs. The scientific paper, the Journal of Clinical Investigation published the results.
Blood cancer drug trial results in better outcomes than those on best-available existing medication
A drug, ruxolitinib, has been found to be better at treating the blood cancer – polycythaemia vera (PV) than the best currently available treatment. Researchers looked at how well the drug worked in those who don’t respond well to the first line of treatment in a randomized phase-II clinical trial. Blood Cancer UK funded the work through the Trials Acceleration Programme.
Research suggests drug improves stem cell transplants for those with multiple myeloma
Researchers in the US have shed light on a way to carry out stem cell transplants in people with multiple myeloma more efficiently, using a drug called motixafortide. The scientific journal, Nature Medicine, published the findings, today (Monday 17 April).
We’re delighted to be funding 16 new research projects
We are delighted to announce funding for 16 new research projects across the UK, worth over £4million. The projects span all types of blood cancer and bring our total funding portfolio to 74 different research projects across 23 different institutions in the UK.