The crisis triggered a sharp drop in income for Cancer Research UK and it may be forced to make 1,500 scientists redundant. Experts funded by the charity welcomed the Daily Express’s crusade to raise funds and spur the Government to help bridge the gap. There has been a surge in donations already as kindhearted readers dig deep.
Professor Bhavik Patel, a CRUK-funded researcher at the University of Brighton, was working on a blood test to detect leukaemia and looking at ways to tailor treatment to an individual’s cancer.
Both projects were close to completion when his lab was shut down because of Covid-19.
He said: “The cuts the charity are having to make because of Covid-19 means life-saving projects like these and many others could be delayed for a very long time, which is why we are so grateful for your support.”
Professor Richard Gilbertson, director of the CRUK Cambridge Centre, had to pause his research into children’s brain tumours.
He added: “The money you give helps to keep the lights on in the lab and keep our machines running.
“It means we can do those clinical trials, to find new treatments and make those breakthroughs that people with cancer are so desperately waiting on.”
Michelle Mitchell, CRUK’s chief executive, said: “Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on cancer services, and has now put the future of medical research charities like Cancer Research UK in the balance.”
