Members of our Innovation Forum compiled a shortlist of three charities that were then invited to present in front of our Operations Board. Director of Clinical Services and Operations Board member, Andrew Nicol commented,
"The presentation delivered by Bone Cancer Research Trust left a profound impression on our team. The high-quality information they provide to patients, coupled with the opportunities for our team members to engage, made their organisation an obvious choice for us. We are already working side by side supporting amputees affected by bone cancer, this just adds another dimension to our relationship. We look forward to enhancing our partnership and supporting their initiatives from a charitable standpoint, ultimately benefiting our patients."
When NHS statistics state that
1 in 2 people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime, it's a hard statistic to ignore. And, whilst primary bone cancer is rare in the UK, with 550 new cases diagnosed every year, the journey to recovery can often result in amputation of the affected bone and limb. Our very own clinicians and support staff have witnessed the emotional and physical toll these patients experience, so supporting the Bone Cancer Research Trust in its mission to save lives and improve outcomes for people affected by primary bone cancer through research, information, awareness and support was a no-brainer for us.
In 2004, a group of families who had lost children and young people to primary bone cancer came together. They wanted to address the lack of accessible bone cancer information and insufficient funding for research into this disease. Determined not to accept the status quo, the families pooled funds they had already raised, and together with guidance from Professor Ian Lewis (Consultant Paediatrician and Adolescent Oncologist at
St James's University Hospital, Leeds) the Bone Cancer Research Trust was registered in 2006.