Friday 29 October 2010

CF Trust awards new research grants

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust has awarded £188,000 to four new research projects aimed at benefiting those with Cystic Fibrosis (CF).

Dr Eshwar Mahenthiralingam and his team at the Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University have been awarded £45,000 to investigate a bacterial infection called Burkholderia multivorans that causes lung damage, a reduction in lung function and a shortened life expectancy for those with Cystic Fibrosis.

Scientists at Queen’s University, Belfast led by Dr Lorraine Martin have received £50,000 for a research project aimed at investigating dehydration in the lungs of people with Cystic Fibrosis.

Professor Bob Ford at The University of Manchester has been awarded £75,000 for a project aimed at studying the activity of the CFTR protein by understanding how it is built and how it works. CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) is the protein that controls the movement of chloride through the lining of the cells. It is the faulty CFTR that causes the problems in Cystic Fibrosis by not working at all, or not working enough.

A grant has been awarded to scientists at the University of Exeter led by Dr Alan Brown to investigate the relationship between patients who have Cystic Fibrosis-related diabetes, and a particular lung infection called Burkholderia cepacia. This research was funded by the University of Exeter's 2009 studentship campaign in conjunction with an £18,000 research grant from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

These four new projects will be running alongside the other research currently funded by the CF Trust into areas such as gene therapy, early detection of lung disease in infants, transplantation, depression in people with CF, inflammation and drug treatments.


Thursday 28 October 2010

From Essex to Paris by bike!

Congratulations to Robert Lee from Rainham, Essex who cycled from Dagenham to Paris raising over £600 for the CF Trust.

Rob originally intended to cycle around the battlefield of The Somme, but after a colleague at work threw him the challenge to cycle to Notre Dame in Paris he accepted the challenge in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.


His 250 mile journey took a total of 6 days and 13 hours. To prepare for the ride he trained in the local area cycling as far as Southend and back to Rainham.

Well done Robert and thank you!!

Wednesday 27 October 2010

Jodie takes on the Kielder Marathon


Congratulations to Jodie Symington, who has CF and took part in the first ever Kielder Marathon around Europe's largest man-made lake in the heart of Northumberland. Here she is with Steve Cram, organiser of the event. Jodie is hanging up her running shoes after taking part in lots of runs for us over the past few years including the very tough Everest Marathon.

Well done Jodie and thank you!

Tuesday 12 October 2010

Go Team Kirsteen!


Congratulations to Team Kirsteen who conquered Ben Nevis for us last month and raised a staggering £9,000. Amazing!

Friday 8 October 2010

Nice tutus!


Congratulations to the team of 15 colleagues from Deloitte who raised over £21,000 by cycling from London to Paris for us last month. Here they are with Andy Abraham from X factor who they met en route!

Well done guys and thank you.