NEWS RELEASE

Issued on behalf of Cancer Research Wales
Picture opportunity available
Embargoed 11am , July 10, 2006

CANCER RESEARCH WALES UNWRAPS £500,000 GIFT

 THE Cancer Research Wales charity is marking its 40 th anniversary with the presentation of a major £500,000 donation to the Wales Cancer Bank.

The money will kick-start pioneering research on thousands of tissue samples stored in the bank at the frontline of the fight in Wales to find a cure for some of the most virulent forms of cancer.

The £500,000 gift was today (Monday July 10) being presented to the Wales Cancer Bank by Dr Patrizia Hodge, chairman of Cancer Research Wales, in the presence of Wales First Minister Rhodri Morgan.

The Welsh Assembly Government provided the funding for the creation of the Wales Cancer Bank in 2003 which has since seen hundreds of cancer patients across Wales donating tissue and blood for research.

Tissue samples are currently being collected in five hospitals in Wales , at the University Hospital of Wales and Llandough Hospital in Cardiff , Singleton and Morriston hospitals in Swansea , Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest and Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor .

Dr Hodge said: “We have some world-class scientists working on cancer research in Wales who are making a major impact on research into cancer.

“The Wales Cancer Bank is a crucial part of that future research and we are delighted to be able to support its vital work with our £500,000 anniversary donation. This is a major investment for the future for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

“It will also be important in helping to build on the success and foresight of the Welsh Assembly Government in supporting the cancer bank from its infancy.”

More than 700 patients throughout Wales have already donated samples of cancer tissue and blood which are currently held in the cancer bank, a research facility unique in the UK .

Wales Cancer Bank manager Dr Alison Parry-Jones said: “We are very grateful for this donation from Cancer Research Wales which will enable the cancer bank to expand its crucial work.

“The ultimate aim will be to ask every single cancer patient in Wales to take part in donating tissue to the cancer bank. Those samples can then be used for world-class cancer research, with the donated tissue available to any cancer researcher anywhere in the world.”

The Cancer Research Wales charity, which has its laboratories and library facilities at the cancer treatment centre of excellence at Velindre Hospital in Cardiff , has raised more than £3m in the last four years to fund cancer research projects right across the principality.

It is celebrating the 40 th year of its formation with 12 months of fundraising that involves a series of special events and campaigns, including the all-Wales Million Mile Challenge that aims to raise £1m.

Dr Hodge added: “All the money we raise in Wales stays in Wales to fund pioneering cancer research projects being carried out by doctors and scientists in Welsh hospitals. We believe that is important to the people of Wales .”

Notes For Editors:

• Cancer Research Wales was formed by a board of trustees in 1966.
• Cancer Research Wales has its headquarters at Velindre Hospital in Whitchurch, Cardiff .
• Cancer Research Wales is a separate charity from Velindre Hospital and Cancer Research UK .
• All money raised by Cancer Research Wales is spent in Wales
• The money also funds vital research projects, doctors and scientists in Welsh hospitals
• Cancer Research Wales also funds the only dedicated cancer library in Wales , at Velindre Hospital
• The charity's patrons include Nigel Walker and Huw Edwards
• Professor Malcolm Mason is the Cancer Research Wales Professor of Oncology and Director of the Wales Cancer Bank.
• Over £3 million has been raised by the charity in the last few years alone.

For more information on this press release please contact Peter Bibby at Effective Communication at pbibby@effcom.co.uk or telephone 029 2066 0119 or mobile 07779 783396.