Pioneering a new era of cancer treatment: North East Chamber of Commerce x Newcastle Hospitals Charity

www.necc.co.uk

LinkedIn: North East Chamber of Commerce

www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk

Facebook: Sir Bobby Robson Foundation

Tell us about The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and its core mission.

Professor Plummer says: “Clinical trials of experimental drugs need specialist units and equipment, so we can safely work out the correct dose and evaluate if new treatments work to help make them available to all patients as quickly as possible.

“Sir Bobby knew this, and he wanted to be part of it.

“He was on a clinical trial in 2008 when we were trying to raise £500,000 to equip a new cancer trials unit at the Freeman Hospital.

“Amazingly, Sir Bobby and Lady Elsie offered to launch a foundation to help us, and we raised the money we needed in something like six or seven weeks.

“Our core mission then, as now, is to find more effective ways to detect and treat cancer.

“Sir Bobby was incredibly passionate about that.

“When we opened the original clinical trials unit in 2009, we named it the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre.

“He was able to officially open it and was very proud.”

Working alongside Newcastle Hospitals and funded by The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, construction on The Sir Bobby Robson Institute has begun – a £30 million research facility set to serve patients from 2028 onwards.

How significant will the venture be in shaping the future of cancer research and treatment?

Professor Plummer says: “Since we opened the original trials unit, demand for cancer clinical trials – locally and globally – has grown.

“We’re now at the point where space limitations mean our ability to offer as many trials as we would like is restricted.

“Frustratingly, the team cannot accept some research programmes offered.

“At Newcastle Hospitals, we have the specialist expertise and experience required to do more, and the new institute will make a huge difference in allowing us to offer more access to trials for patients.

“It will give people a chance to try an innovative treatment that could work for them, while also being part of something bigger, in terms of developing new cancer treatments.

“It feels incredible that construction has begun on the new institute; we’ve been working towards this for so many years and it’s now becoming real.

“We’ll be able to offer more options to patients – the kind of vital opportunities when people are running out of choices.

“The three-storey facility will bring together the team from the current Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre alongside the cancer and blood disorders (oncology and haematology) research team.

“This means Newcastle’s specialist cancer research teams will be able to pioneer more ground-breaking innovation in cancer treatment, through running a higher number of complex and larger trials.

“While the institute’s catchment area will cover around 3.5 million people living in the North East, North Cumbria and North Yorkshire, the work carried out there could benefit people around the globe.”

Fundraising for The Sir Bobby Robson Institute has already passed the £26.5 million mark, with activity ramping up to secure the remaining £3.5 million.

Sir Bobby Robson

What will that next phase involve, and how can individuals and organisations add their support?

Mark says: “We began our fundraising with £20 million already raised by our foundation’s long-standing supporters and fundraisers, which is phenomenal.

“All those coffee mornings, sponsored runs and heartfelt donations helped us get here, and we can’t thank everyone who has helped enough.

“The region’s business community, including our very long-term supporter Newcastle Building Society, has backed us enthusiastically and, over the past few months, a group of incredible founding donors have come forward to help us reach £26.5 million, including an amazing £2 million from The Barbour Foundation.

“Every penny donated and any support offered is making a difference, and I’d urge any business, organisation or individual to contact us if they think they can contribute in any way.”

Professor Ruth Plummer and Mark Robson

What impact has The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation already had on patients and families, and are there any stories that particularly stand out?

Professor Plummer says: “Every patient we treat is part of what Sir Bobby called his last and greatest team.

“In fact, we have patients who choose to undertake trials knowing from the outset that it may not improve their situation, but they know it could help other people coming after them.

“Sir Bobby knew that too, and described these people as selfless – I think that’s a perfect description.

“I hope Sir Bobby would be pleased with our ongoing work. It wouldn’t have been possible without his great commitment and the support providing opportunities for businesses to engage with truly meaningful philanthropy, colleague engagement initiatives and community impact, while contributing to policy priorities that recognise the link between health, wellbeing and regional growth.

“In turn, the Chamber’s network, insight and advocacy plays a vital role in helping us build momentum, reach new supporters and realise our future ambitions.”

Sir Bobby Robson remains a globally revered figure thanks to his footballing and philanthropic legacy.

What does it mean to be continuing your father’s work?

Mark says: “Deep down, I wish Dad was here to see all this happening.

“I’m very glad Mum is because building this new institute is a great thing, especially for the people we’ll be able to help.

“I know Dad would applaud our ambition because he knew how it felt to hear a cancer diagnosis – in fact, he heard that terrible news five times.

“Research matters to the cancer patients who will come to the new institute from across this region to receive treatment that would otherwise be unavailable to them.

“And it matters to the cancer patients of the future, both here and across the world.

“We have to keep moving forward and be hopeful in the face of a disease that affects us all one way or another.

“That was the legacy Dad wanted to leave.”

For more information about The Sir Bobby Robson Institute campaign, visit the website at the top of this article or click www.sirbobbysgreatestteam.co.uk.

To enquire about fundraising for The Sir Bobby Robson Institute, contact Kate Bradley via email at [email protected] or call 0191 213 7235.