CURE Leukaemia is funding a specialist research nurse at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Christine Bossa will join the hospital team, strengthening life-saving clinical trial access for blood cancer patients across the region.
Cure Leukaemia has previously part-funded the role for several years, but now thanks to the combined efforts of the Worcester team including local businesses Westbridge Foods and Adam Hewitt Ltd , it is able to commit to full time funding for a minimum of the next two years.
Dr Salim Shafeek, consultant haematologist at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Having a full time dedicated research nurse funded by Cure Leukaemia will transform the care we can offer patients across Worcestershire and beyond. It means we can open more clinical trials here in Worcester, giving blood cancer patients access to the very latest treatments without the need to travel long distances. This support will have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of patients and their families.”
Christine continued: “We strongly believe in offering every patient the opportunity to participate in research regardless of where they live, their socioeconomic status, gender, religion or non and in so doing reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes. We consider it a privilege to serve our patients and our community and appreciate the efforts of Cure Leukaemia and its supporters for their generous contributions and continued support.”
James McLaughlin, chief executive of Cure Leukaemia, added: “We are incredibly proud to be committing to this funding in Worcester. Our network of Cure Leukaemia Research Nurses is at the heart of what we do, and expanding that network means more patients can access pioneering treatments right here in the UK.”