<![CDATA[Pressat Main Newswire]]> https://pressat.co.uk/rss/ <![CDATA[Pressat Main Newswire]]> https://pressat.co.uk/media/site/logo.png https://pressat.co.uk/rss/ en-gb Copyright: (C) Pressat Pressat <![CDATA[ From molecules to medicine: cancer charity Neuroblastoma UK announces funding to accelerate rare childhood cancer research ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/from-molecules-to-medicine-cancer-charity-neuroblastoma-uk-announces-funding-to-accelerate-rare-childhood-cancer-research-19a59284dd306ecf62ee4756f61ff0b1/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/from-molecules-to-medicine-cancer-charity-neuroblastoma-uk-announces-funding-to-accelerate-rare-childhood-cancer-research-19a59284dd306ecf62ee4756f61ff0b1/ Wednesday 8 December, 2021

Neuroblastoma UK, a charity that solely funds research into neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer, is pleased to announce two research grant awards totalling £683,477, with a focus on improving treatment for children with advanced stages of the disease.



Around 100 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma every year in the UK. Children with aggressive high-risk neuroblastoma are treated with incredibly intensive drugs and invasive procedures that can leave them with lifelong disabilities. And because they have an increased risk of relapse, the long term outcome of these children desperately needs to be improved. The grants will enable scientists to progress their research and develop safer, non-invasive and more effective treatment for children with the disease.







Professor Louis Chesler will receive a research grant of £469,093, which includes a donation of £15,000 from charity Friends of Rosie. Professor Chesler’s research aims to develop blood-based biomarker tests for children with high-risk neuroblastoma, to help guide and monitor treatment.





Dr Mark Gaze will receive a research grant of £214,385 to develop a new type of targeted, radiotherapy using radioactive antibodies for children with high-risk neuroblastoma.



Tony Heddon, Chairman of Neuroblastoma UK said, “We are delighted to award two large grants to help accelerate research into neuroblastoma. Traditionally, our charity has supported fundamental, early-phase research to help scientists develop a greater understanding of this complex and aggressive cancer. 

"As we move into our 40th year in 2022, it is important to us and our supporters that we fund research with the potential to benefit children quickly. A number of promising areas were highlighted which needed greater investment to help move them ‘from bench to bedside’ and into clinical trial. Thanks to voluntary donations and the generous support of Friends of Rosie, we are now able to support these two incredibly exciting research projects that we hope will lead to safer, more effective treatment for children with neuroblastoma.”










Lisa Larkin, Founder and Trustee of Friends of Rosie (and Rosie's mum) said, "For Friends of Rosie this particular research has extra resonance as Rosie, our charity's namesake and my daughter, had neuroblastoma. I remember so clearly being given the diagnosis and prognosis that she would die in the same sentence. There seemed to be a lack of priority for childhood cancer research and treatment. That's why we started Friends of Rosie - to pump prime vital new research to help children like Rosie. 30 years later we are delighted to collaborate with Neuroblastoma UK in this most exciting new project."









Postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Neuroblastoma UK launched their biennial research Grant Round for 2021 in April. The charity received seven research applications totalling £2.48million.




Professor Louis Chesler, Professor of Paediatric Cancer Biology at The Institute of Cancer Research said, "To treat a child with neuroblastoma more effectively, we first need to understand how aggressive their cancer is or whether they are at greater risk of relapse. Currently the only way we can get detailed information about their tumour is from tissue biopsies, which are invasive and potentially dangerous. We do this in order to analyse tissue samples for molecular changes or 'biomarkers'. These biomarkers help us to diagnose the cancer and guide a child's treatment.







"The medical technology now exists to detect multiple biomarkers in blood quickly and accurately, which could spare children from having to undergo painful tissue biopsies. But as yet, none of our standard clinical trials implement any blood-based testing, or molecularly guided drugs. This is a critical failure in modern clinical trial design that we wish to eliminate through our proposed work.





“Before we can bring these blood-based tests to trial, we need to formally evaluate the technology to determine its power and accuracy. We also need to cross-compare the various test types against each other to understand what they can and cannot measure. The research grant from Neuroblastoma UK and Friends of Rosie will enable our team to investigate blood samples and data from different biopsy techniques across three international research centres. Once we've completed our evaluation, we can then propose a less invasive method of diagnostic testing for children with this aggressive cancer.








“Our research team is hugely grateful to Neuroblastoma UK and their generous supporters for awarding us this grant. Thanks to donations from members of the public, we are able to continue our research work to move potential less invasive treatments from bench to bedside, a vital step in finding a cure for this rare childhood cancer."





Dr Mark Gaze, Consultant in Clinical Oncology at University College London Hospitals, said,


“When the cancer doesn't respond well to treatment, or comes back after earlier treatment in a child with high-risk neuroblastoma, one of the options is radiation delivered by a drug - we call that molecular radiotherapy. This is an established treatment, but it is not always effective, perhaps because some cells don't take up the radioactive drugs in current use well enough.





“Thanks to the grant from Neuroblastoma UK, our research will focus on developing a new radioactive drug which may be taken up better. This involves using an immunotherapy drug to deliver the radiation to cancer cells. Specifically, this immunotherapy will target GD2, an antibody which is highly expressed in neuroblastoma. We want to carry out a series of pre-clinical studies in which the anti-GD2 monoclonal - dinutuximab beta - is combined with novel radioisotopes to help deliver precise radiation doses. At the same time, our team will begin to prepare a clinical trial to see how effective radioactive dinutuximab beta is in treating the neuroblastoma.








“Our team is incredibly grateful for this opportunity to continue our research, something which wouldn’t be possible without the public’s generous donations to Neuroblastoma UK.”



ENDS





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https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
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Mob: 07968 349535

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https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 08 Dec 2021 15:12:55 GMT Charities & non-profits Health Medical & Pharmaceutical
<![CDATA[ Limited edition bracelet to help little warriors fighting rare childhood cancer ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/limited-edition-bracelet-to-help-little-warriors-fighting-rare-childhood-cancer-3c845502d65f14621499ac721d18522d/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/limited-edition-bracelet-to-help-little-warriors-fighting-rare-childhood-cancer-3c845502d65f14621499ac721d18522d/ Tuesday 1 June, 2021

South of the River, a small fashion boutique based in Beckenham, Kent, is supporting Neuroblastoma UK, a national children’s cancer charity this summer with a limited edition ‘Warrior’ Tile Bracelet.


Inspired by children with cancer and designed in collaboration with Neuroblastoma UK, each bracelet features white ‘Warrior’ tiles on a yellow and gold bracelet with blue highlights. South of the River will donate £3 from every ‘Warrior’ tile bracelet purchase to Neuroblastoma UK, a charity that funds vital research into neuroblastoma, a rare and life-threatening childhood cancer.


Bex Veasley, owner of South of the River said, “We created this wonderful tile bracelet for all the brave warriors fighting childhood cancer. It's a cause that is close to our hearts at South of the River and we are incredibly proud to support Neuroblastoma UK. The whole team and our customers love wearing our tile bracelets - to know that this 'Warrior' bracelet will raise money for research into this terrible disease and raise awareness of this rare cancer makes us love them even more."


Katherine Money, Fundraising Manager at Neuroblastoma UK said, “Around 100 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma every year in the UK. Our brave warriors may need intensive treatment including chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy to fight their cancer, but devastatingly, neuroblastoma has one of the lowest survival rates of all childhood cancers. Thanks to the support of South of the River, we can fund more research to help scientists develop new, more effective and kinder treatments for these children. We've teamed up with the fundraising platform, Work for Good, to make it simple for small businesses to support a small charity like ours and make a big difference to the lives of children with cancer and their families.”


From Tuesday 1 June, visit the South of the River boutique in Beckenham or online at https://southoftheriver.co.uk/products/neutroblastoma-uk-x-south-of-the-river-warrior-bracelet to purchase your exclusive, limited edition ‘Warrior’ tile bracelet for just £15.


The gorgeous bracelet can be worn on its own or stacked with other tile bracelets from the wide range. Each bracelet comes with a special thank you card and is packaged in a FairTrade organic cotton drawstring pouch.





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https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
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https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 01 Jun 2021 06:00:01 GMT Charities & non-profits Retail & Fashion
<![CDATA[ Children’s cancer charity welcomes DJ and broadcaster Scott Mills as new Patron ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/childrens-cancer-charity-welcomes-dj-and-broadcaster-scott-mills-as-new-patron-31a1f1ece94802b813b3b58445a5e31d/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/childrens-cancer-charity-welcomes-dj-and-broadcaster-scott-mills-as-new-patron-31a1f1ece94802b813b3b58445a5e31d/ Wednesday 3 February, 2021

Date: Wednesday 3 February 2021. For immediate release




Children’s cancer charity welcomes DJ and broadcaster Scott Mills as new Patron



Neuroblastoma UK, a charity that funds research into neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer, announces DJ and broadcaster Scott Mills as new Patron.


Scott is calling on people to support Neuroblastoma UK and wear the charity’s exclusive bracelets or t-shirts this World Cancer Day on Thursday 4 February.


The BBC Radio 1 and Radio 5 Live host first supported Neuroblastoma UK after a friend’s daughter was diagnosed with this aggressive cancer. Scott will help the charity to raise awareness of neuroblastoma and champion the work of Neuroblastoma UK to raise vital funds.


Mills said, “I am so proud to join Neuroblastoma UK as their new Patron. It’s a cause that is really close to my heart, after my best friend’s daughter Willow was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was just six months old. Thankfully, Willow is doing incredibly well now but other children aren’t so lucky.


“Join me this World Cancer Day on 4th February and donate, wear an exclusive t-shirt or unique bracelet to show your support for children with neuroblastoma and their families.


“The charity does incredible work in funding research to help develop new, more effective and kinder treatment for children like Willow. I’m really looking forward to working closely with Neuroblastoma UK to raise awareness of this cruel cancer and hopefully raise lots of money to help save more young lives.”


Tony Heddon, Chair of Trustees at Neuroblastoma UK said, “We are delighted that Scott Mills has joined us as Patron. As a small charity, we were so honoured that Scott supported us during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September last year and now for him to join us as a Patron in the run up to World Cancer Day is wonderful. 

"2020 was a difficult year for many charities like ours and research into childhood cancer is at real risk. To have two dedicated Patrons like Scott Mills and Alan Carr will, without doubt, help us to raise awareness of neuroblastoma and our vital research. We are so grateful to Scott for his support.”


By donating, wearing a bracelet or exclusive, limited edition t-shirt this World Cancer Day at neuroblastoma.org.uk, you can help fund vital research into neuroblastoma and save more young lives. Available in adults and kids sizes and designed by nine artists, 100% of profits from the sale of the t-shirts will be donated to Neuroblastoma UK.




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https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
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Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

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https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 03 Feb 2021 12:28:11 GMT Charities & non-profits Entertainment & Arts Health Leisure & Hobbies Lifestyle & Relationships Medical & Pharmaceutical
<![CDATA[ Young Scottish cancer survivor braves the shave for three children’s cancer charities ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/young-scottish-cancer-survivor-braves-the-shave-for-three-childrens-cancer-charities-c003ccedee4683ca88e88407ee38303d/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/young-scottish-cancer-survivor-braves-the-shave-for-three-childrens-cancer-charities-c003ccedee4683ca88e88407ee38303d/ Tuesday 13 October, 2020

14 year old Phoebe from Inverness is shaving her hair to raise money for Neuroblastoma UK and CLIC Sargent, and will donate hair to The Little Princess Trust.


Phoebe Macaskill was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer, when she was just two years old. She is fundraising for Neuroblastoma UK and CLIC Sargent, two charities that supported Phoebe and her family when she was ill.


Phoebe was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in 2008, after she complained of a sore tummy and stopped eating. The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, bone marrow and was in 95% of her bones. She was given a 20% chance of survival and the doctors thought there was little chance of a cure. Phoebe needed eight rounds of chemotherapy, a nine hour surgery to remove the tumours, plus a stem cell transplant, high dose chemotherapy and radiotherapy. During her treatment, Phoebe’s immune system was severely compromised and complications from the high dose chemo left Phoebe in a critical life threatening condition. She became septic and ended up in intensive care on life support for 15 days. But thankfully, Phoebe responded well to the rest of her treatment and in May 2009, the doctors confirmed that Phoebe was in remission.


Now as a healthy, happy teenager, Phoebe wants to help the charities that helped her when she was sick. 


Phoebe said, “My mum and dad tell me that I had one year of gruelling treatment; I don’t remember a thing. My Uncle Darren, who sadly passed away from diabetes was planning on fundraising by doing a skydive. Before he passed away he also shaved his hair to raise money when I was in hospital. He inspired me to give back to those who are in need. I am planning, like my Uncle Darren, to shave all my hair off. Also I will donate my hair to the Little Princess Trust. I really want to go big and raise £5,000 as it would be an amazing help to both the charities. This means a lot to me as it is a big opportunity to help all the children and their families who are in the same position as my family and I were in. I hope this has a good impact on these children’s lives.”


Phoebe’s mum Rona said, “We are so proud of Phoebe for wanting to help two charities that are so close to our hearts. It was a truly horrible time when Phoebe was ill and one I would never want to repeat. Although awful, there were many amazing things that have come out of our experience. We have met many amazing people on our journey and the support and care we received was incredible. We’d never heard of neuroblastoma before Phoebe was diagnosed, so raising money and awareness in this way can help other families like ours in the future.”


Katherine Mobey, Fundraising Manager at Neuroblastoma UK said, “Around 100 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma every year in the UK, with most under the age of five. Thanks to kind people like Phoebe raising much-needed money for Neuroblastoma UK, we can help scientists search for new, kinder and more effective treatments for children with neuroblastoma. As a charity, we receive no government funding so we are truly grateful to Phoebe and her family for their support.”


Donna Bednarek, Fundraising Engagement Manager from CLIC Sargent said, “It’s great to see Phoebe take on her head shave like this and support causes which clearly means so much to her. Last year CLIC Sargent supported over 600 children and young people facing cancer across Scotland, and we wouldn’t be able to do this without the amazing efforts of people and groups like Phoebe. We are truly grateful for her support and can’t wait to see her new look.”


To support Phoebe, visit her fundraising page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chriS-macaskill1





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https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

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https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 13 Oct 2020 15:32:03 GMT Charities & non-profits Children & Teenagers Lifestyle & Relationships
<![CDATA[ NEUROBLASTOMA UK RESPONDS TO NEWS OF PLANS TO MAKE A NEW DRUG AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN WITH NEUROBLASTOMA BY THE END OF 2020. ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/neuroblastoma-uk-responds-to-news-of-plans-to-make-a-new-drug-available-to-children-with-neuroblastoma-by-the-end-of-2020-13f49fd150e8a62b556e90bf3241fe3f/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/neuroblastoma-uk-responds-to-news-of-plans-to-make-a-new-drug-available-to-children-with-neuroblastoma-by-the-end-of-2020-13f49fd150e8a62b556e90bf3241fe3f/ Thursday 8 October, 2020
We welcome the news that a potential new treatment for children with neuroblastoma will be advanced to clinical trial and reach more young cancer patients.

Researchers have found an indirect way to target N-Myc, a gene that occurs in aggressive forms of neuroblastoma. They found that a new drug, fadraciclib, is effective at blocking N-Myc activity by switching off the production of N-Myc and a clinical trial for children with high-risk neuroblastoma is due to open by the end of 2020. The drug has already passed safety trials in adults. The results of a study led by scientists at the Institute of Cancer Research, were published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation on Tuesday 6th October.


Tony Heddon, Chair of Neuroblastoma UK said, “We welcome the news that a potential new treatment will be advanced to clinical trial and reach more young cancer patients.


“Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumour in children after brain tumours with around 100 children diagnosed every year in the UK. Sadly, despite a long road of treatment, sometimes parents are given the devastating news that their child cannot be cured. Less than 50% of children with high-risk neuroblastoma will survive for five years or more after their diagnosis. And for those children who do survive, the drugs used to save them may cause long-lasting damage.


“There is a real need to provide less toxic and more effective treatment for our children. This important development offers real hope to families affected by this life-threatening cancer.


“Continued funding of research into neuroblastoma is absolutely vital to develop kinder, more targeted treatments for children with neuroblastoma. We are proud to have supported the Neuroblastoma New Drug Development Strategy (NDDS) forum which will accelerate bringing new drugs such as fadraciclib more rapidly to front-line therapy and could have truly global benefits. Greater collaboration between countries, research facilities and the neuroblastoma community is critical in accelerating the process of innovation, drug development and patient trials.”




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https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

]]>
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 08 Oct 2020 10:56:20 GMT Charities & non-profits Medical & Pharmaceutical
<![CDATA[ EXCLUSIVE T-SHIRTS TO HELP FIGHT CHILDHOOD CANCER, ONE TEE AT A TIME ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/exclusive-t-shirts-to-help-fight-childhood-cancer-one-tee-at-a-time-a3d7e6d1949514e4034bd77660ec5d5d/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/exclusive-t-shirts-to-help-fight-childhood-cancer-one-tee-at-a-time-a3d7e6d1949514e4034bd77660ec5d5d/ Tuesday 15 September, 2020

Neuroblastoma UK, a national charity dedicated to finding a cure for neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer, has collaborated with established and emerging artists to create a range of limited edition t-shirts for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2020 this September.

The exclusive, limited edition t-shirts - worn by the charity's Patron Alan Carr, Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills, Made In Chelsea’s Rosie Fortescue and model, presenter and DJ Charlotte de Carle - feature designs by a notable line-up of designers including Nat Bowen, Luca Bornoffi, Rex Southwick, Crystal Fischetti and Emily Sutton, hotly-tipped by Tatler magazine to be one of the new ‘greats’ of the art world. 

The initiative is part of The One Sock Artist project, founded by Stella Gittins, whose daughter was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2019. The t-shirts have been launched as part of Neuroblastoma UK’s campaign for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which focuses on the devastating impact of neuroblastoma.

The range of t-shirts, available in both adults and kids sizes, were designed around two themes: ‘Future Anything’ and ‘Sock it to ‘em’, to spread hope and positivity to children with neuroblastoma and their families.












Stella said, “My daughter Willow was diagnosed with neuroblastoma last year when she was just six months old. She’s often found wandering around with just one sock - and so the One Sock Artist Project was born! Being told your child has neuroblastoma can come as a total shock for families like mine. In one year, Willow’s tumours have almost dissolved naturally without treatment and her future is looking very promising. But some parents are now living our nightmare, and most families see our nightmare come true.



“With The One Sock Artist project, we want to give all children with neuroblastoma and their families the strength and hope to sock baby cancer in the face. The work of Neuroblastoma UK is so important - the research they fund can help scientists to understand more about this rare childhood cancer and help them develop treatments that are kinder and more effective for our children.”



Nat Bowen, who has exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery in London and around the world, said, “I use chromology, the psychology behind colour and people’s physical and emotional response as the foundation for my art. A diagnosis of neuroblastoma can be so devastating for families - I hope my bright and colourful artworks bring positive energy to families and give them hope for the future.”



Emily Sutton, hotly tipped by Tatler magazine as one of the next ‘greats’ of the art world said, “Being part of The One Sock Artist Project has been wonderful. My illustrations are inspired by the people around me, and nothing could be more inspiring than being able to help children with cancer. Stella’s story is incredibly moving and I hope that my designs can help more children like Willow.”



Katherine Mobey, Fundraising Manager at Neuroblastoma UK said, “We are committed to funding a cure for neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer. 100% of the profits from the sale of these beautiful t-shirts will help fund vital research for this devastating disease. We are incredibly grateful to Stella and all the artists for donating their time and creative energy to help raise vital funds this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.”



The range of organic cotton t-shirts are £17 for kids and £25 for adults and are available at http://theonesockstory.com. 100% of the profits will go to Neuroblastoma UK to help fund leading research projects to develop new, effective and kinder treatments for children with neuroblastoma.



ENDS





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https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

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https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 15 Sep 2020 13:46:16 GMT Charities & non-profits Entertainment & Arts Health Retail & Fashion
<![CDATA[ Accelerating drug development for neuroblastoma ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/accelerating-drug-development-for-neuroblastoma-1dcf4762fae205a71e79160940796ed6/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/accelerating-drug-development-for-neuroblastoma-1dcf4762fae205a71e79160940796ed6/ Wednesday 9 September, 2020

An international forum of leading scientists from the UK, Europe and USA, funded by national charity Neuroblastoma UK, prioritises drug development and strategies for new treatment trials for children with neuroblastoma.


Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumour in children after brain tumours with around 100 children diagnosed every year in the UK. Yet, despite vital investment in neuroblastoma research, only one new drug - Dinutuximab-beta - has been made available for children receiving front-line neuroblastoma therapy since the 1980s.


In the September edition of European Journal of Cancer, Dr Lucas Moreno from Vall d’Hebron Hospital, Barcelona, and a team of international scientific and clinical experts published an agreed list of genetic targets and drugs that should be advanced for early-phase paediatric clinical trials, following the second Neuroblastoma New Drug Development Strategy (NDDS) forum.


The second collaborative NDDS forum, funded by the national research charity Neuroblastoma UK, brought together a wider group of both North American and European academic researchers, patient advocates and industry representatives to evaluate and prioritise the development of new genetic targets and drugs for neuroblastoma, and to share the consensus.


The recent paper reports on agreed strategies to discover new and develop existing drugs, recommendations for drugs to rapidly enter paediatric clinical development and methods to optimise combination and immunotherapy treatment.


The key conclusions / outcomes from the meetings are:


Pre-clinical and clinical data for 40 genetic targets and mechanisms of action were prioritised and drugs were identified for early-phase trials. Strategies to develop drugs targeting TERT, telomere maintenance, ATRX, alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), BRIP1 and RRM2 as well as direct targeting of MYCN are high priority and should be championed for drug discovery. Promising preclinical data suggest that targeting of ALT by ATM or PARP inhibition may be potential strategies. Drugs targeting CDK2/9, CDK7, ATR and telomere maintenance should enter paediatric clinical development rapidly. Optimising the response to anti-GD2 by combinations with chemotherapy, targeted agents and other immunological targets are crucial.

Dr Lucas Moreno, lead investigator and Clinical Director of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology at Vall d’Hebron Hospital, Barcelona said, “We are very grateful for the pivotal support of Neuroblastoma UK. Whilst advances in neuroblastoma treatment have occurred, with eight of nine high-priority treatments now being evaluated in paediatric clinical trials, greater international collaboration is essential.


"Neuroblastoma is a rare disease and a coordinated international effort is required to recruit sufficient numbers of patients for clinical trials. The NDDS meeting was a major advance - it produced a very important trans-Atlantic consensus for accelerating drug development and provides a clear understanding of where we should focus future clinical trials to deliver the best potential outcomes for our patients.”


Tony Heddon, Chair of Trustees at Neuroblastoma UK said, “This is a hugely important outcome in the Neuroblastoma New Drug Development Strategy for conducting research trials in neuroblastoma. It will accelerate bringing new drugs more rapidly to front-line therapy and could have truly global benefits. By funding vital research and supporting initiatives such as the NDDS, we can help develop new, more effective and kinder treatments for children with neuroblastoma - and get one step closer to finding a cure.”


ENDS




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https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

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https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 09 Sep 2020 13:15:16 GMT Charities & non-profits Health Medical & Pharmaceutical
<![CDATA[ 50 mums and dads run to raise money for Neuroblastoma UK and Shooting Star Children’s Hospices ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/50-mums-and-dads-run-to-raise-money-for-neuroblastoma-uk-and-shooting-star-childrens-hospices-d457daafef9ccfd06eac49c0be0e02ee/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/50-mums-and-dads-run-to-raise-money-for-neuroblastoma-uk-and-shooting-star-childrens-hospices-d457daafef9ccfd06eac49c0be0e02ee/ Tuesday 7 July, 2020

A group of 50 family, friends and teachers from across Surrey, Sussex and Ireland raise money to fund vital research and hospice care to remember 5-year-old cancer patient Grace.


This October, an incredible team of FIFTY will be taking part in the Beachy Head Marathon in East Sussex, one of the biggest off-road marathons in the UK. The group of friends, ranging in age from 18 to 60 (from Surrey, Sussex and Co. Kildare, Co.Kilkenny and Co. Carlow in Ireland) are running in dedication to a little girl called Grace, who sadly passed away in September 2019.


Grace was two years old when she was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer, in 2017. She needed intensive cancer treatment immediately including chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy to fight the cancer and lived a normal, happy life for nearly two years. But in May 2019, a bruise appeared near her eye and began to get bigger. Her parents Catriona and Simon knew that Grace’s cancer had returned. They made the hard decision to not continue with any more harsh treatment, to give Grace the best quality of life whilst they could. Grace sadly passed away in September 2019 when she was just five years old, leaving behind her parents Catriona and Simon and two older siblings.


The team of mostly female non-runners, including Grace’s family in Ireland and Sussex, along with parents and teachers from Grace’s school (St Peter's Catholic Primary School in Leatherhead) are calling their run 'Race for Grace’. For most, this will be their first-ever marathon. 


They are aiming to raise £25,000 for Neuroblastoma UK and Christopher's, a Shooting Star Children's Hospice in Guildford, to say thank you for the care and support that Grace received during her treatment and beyond. So far they have raised over £3,500.


Grace’s mum and team member Catriona said "Grace was an amazing daughter and the life and soul of our home. She was a beautiful, fun loving and cheeky little girl who was sadly taken away from us after a long fight with neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer. Running Beachy Head Marathon has given me a goal to focus on over the next few months, and training with all these amazing friends and family helps me get through each day. All of these women (and some men!) are so glad to be part of something special to remember Grace. We’ve all become really good friends and it’s amazing to see everyone giving up their time to raise money and raise awareness of such a cruel disease.”


The money raised will help Neuroblastoma UK to fund vital research into neuroblastoma, to help improve diagnosis and treatment for children with the disease. It will also enable Shooting Star Children’s Hospices to provide care for children with life-limiting conditions in London and Surrey.


Catriona continued, “As Grace’s family, we wish to reciprocate the support that we received by fundraising for Neuroblastoma UK and Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, two charities who urgently need our help right now. We can’t stop thinking about the other children who are going through what our Grace experienced - we really want to help Neuroblastoma UK fund more important research to make these treatments kinder and more effective. You don’t really realise what hospices actually do until you’re there, but everyone at Christopher’s, Shooting Star Children’s Hospices Guildford hospice, was so kind and caring throughout Grace’s stay so this is our way of saying thank you.”


Team Race for Grace are hopeful that the race will go ahead in October but if it is cancelled, they have plans to run a circular route to Christopher’s and back. The team has been really innovative with their training efforts during lockdown, including virtual training sessions via Zoom, squat and stair challenges and a virtual relay race. The local community have even chalked messages of support on roads around their training routes!


Mel Sang, a fitness instructor from Ashtead in Surrey who has volunteered to train the group, said, “Our group is made up of around 90% non-runners. Some of us have only ever run a bath so a marathon is a huge challenge! The memory of Grace is really spurring us all on. Training for this special event has brought us all much closer together - we’re more than just mums at the school gates. We’re supporting each other on runs, training sessions and moral support. We can’t train together anymore which is really sad, but we’re completing virtual training sessions, running 5ks in our gardens, doing home yoga and boxing sessions, running with family members and following social distancing guidelines to train as much as we can! It all adds to the massive challenge but we’re having fun and are committed to supporting two fantastic charities.”


Katherine Mobey, Fundraising Manager at Neuroblastoma UK said, “Around two children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma every week in the UK. That’s around 100 children just like Grace every year. Most children diagnosed with neuroblastoma are under the age of five. Thanks to the support of Grace’s family and friends, we can help scientists search for new and kinder treatments for children with neuroblastoma. We are so grateful to Team Race for Grace and admire their dedication, innovativeness and resilience to carry on training despite all the obvious challenges!”


“As a charity, we receive no government funding so we are truly grateful to Catriona, Mel and all of Team Race for Grace for choosing to support Neuroblastoma UK. We urgently need more people to raise money at home, school or work, and help us continue funding much-needed research into this rare and aggressive cancer.”


Alexa Dizon, Head of Challenge Events at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices said, “Shooting Star Children’s Hospices aim to make every moment count, supporting families’ during the most unimaginably difficult times. By providing end-of-life care at our hospices, we can give families a chance to make lasting memories, be together and simply say goodbye. Amazing fundraisers, like Team Race for Grace make this possible. We only receive 10% of our funding from the government, which means we rely on our supporters’ generosity to continue to provide our vital care and support - which is needed now more than ever.


“Team Race for Grace have been so inspiring with the ways they have managed to continue their training throughout this challenging time and everyone at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is so appreciative and wishing them so much luck for the training and the amazing challenge ahead!”


To support Race for Grace, visit their fundraising page at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RaceForGrace2020 or read updates on their Facebook page: fb.me/RaceForGrace2020


To organise your own fundraising event and support Neuroblastoma UK, visit neuroblastoma.org.uk/community-fundraising


ENDS




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https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

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https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 07 Jul 2020 07:05:01 GMT Charities & non-profits Children & Teenagers Leisure & Hobbies Lifestyle & Relationships Women & Beauty
<![CDATA[ Enfield girl goes to great lengths to raise £1000 for Neuroblastoma UK ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/enfield-girl-goes-to-great-lengths-to-raise-1000-for-neuroblastoma-uk-dfad3bc70d6748e71e1af78fba291a8e/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/enfield-girl-goes-to-great-lengths-to-raise-1000-for-neuroblastoma-uk-dfad3bc70d6748e71e1af78fba291a8e/ Wednesday 1 July, 2020

Layla, aged nine raises money for vital research into rare childhood cancer



Layla Kirk, aged nine from Winchmore Hill in Enfield, raised an incredible £1,000 by having 16 inches cut from her long locks during lockdown!



Layla chose to support national children’s cancer charity Neuroblastoma UK after hearing about family friends who lost their son to neuroblastoma when he was just five years old. She is also generously donating her long locks to Zichron Menachem, a charity that makes wigs for children in Israel who have lost their hair during cancer treatment.



The money raised by Layla’s family and friends will help fund vital research into neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer. Thanks to Layla’s kind gesture, scientists funded by Neuroblastoma UK can progress their research to develop kinder, more effective treatments for children with neuroblastoma.



The big chop on 14 June was only the third time that Layla's hair has ever been cut and she allowed her mum Sam to take off more than 16 inches! Six friends from Wolfson Hillel Primary School in Southgate also cut and donated their hair to Zichron Menachem.



Graeme, Layla’s dad said, “We are delighted to have raised £1000 for Neuroblastoma UK as it’s a charity that is close to our hearts. Our friends, Miranda and Ben, lost their son Alex to neuroblastoma when he was five years old, around seven years ago. Ben was also a Trustee at Neuroblastoma UK for a number of years. Layla wouldn’t have known or remembered Alex but she is a very caring and sensitive girl who understands how important this is to us as a family, to our group of friends, and to the wider world.



“We are so proud of Layla and it was wonderful to see so many people support her kind-hearted gesture. She’s thrilled with her new look - especially now with the hot weather! Layla’s chuffed to bits to have raised a fantastic amount of money for a really great cause.”



The family raised a further £200 for Neuroblastoma UK by selling their old books.



Katherine Mobey, Fundraising Manager at Neuroblastoma UK said, “Around two children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma every week in the UK. That’s around 100 children every year. Most children diagnosed with neuroblastoma are under the age of five. Thanks to kind people like Layla raising £1000 for our small charity, we can help scientists search for new and kinder treatments for children with neuroblastoma.



“As a charity, we receive no government funding so we are truly grateful to Layla for choosing to support Neuroblastoma UK. We urgently need more people to raise money at home, school or work, and help us continue funding much-needed research into this rare and aggressive cancer.”



To support Layla, visit her fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/graeme-kirk2



To organise your own fundraising event and support Neuroblastoma UK, visit neuroblastoma.org.uk/community-fundraising and download your fundraising guide.



ENDS






Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/ ]]>
https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

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https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 01 Jul 2020 07:00:03 GMT Charities & non-profits Children & Teenagers Education & Human Resources Health Leisure & Hobbies Lifestyle & Relationships
<![CDATA[ Children's cancer charity Neuroblastoma UK welcomes new Trustee ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/childrens-cancer-charity-neuroblastoma-uk-welcomes-new-trustee-43a413c38de7098c0c28574ef2cb4c89/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/childrens-cancer-charity-neuroblastoma-uk-welcomes-new-trustee-43a413c38de7098c0c28574ef2cb4c89/ Tuesday 16 June, 2020
A mother whose two year old daughter passed away after being diagnosed with a rare cancer has been appointed as a Trustee at Neuroblastoma UK, a national children’s cancer charity.

Carolyn Jackson from Tunbridge Wells in Kent said, 


“I am proud and honoured to join Neuroblastoma UK on their Board of Trustees. Neuroblastoma UK is an amazing charity which I have supported since our daughter Florence was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2015. When she passed away in 2017 aged just two and half years old, I became overwhelmingly passionate about finding a cure for this horrible disease. To be involved in a charity whose primary focus is this, together with finding kinder treatments, is a privilege.”

Carolyn and her family raised over £300,000 to help fund Florence's treatment overseas, but sadly she passed away too soon. The money raised was donated to charities including Neuroblastoma UK to help fund much-needed research into neuroblastoma and support the hospital where Florence spent her last few months. Carolyn has since raised nearly £3,000 by taking part in running events, with friends and family continuing to support the charity with birthday and in memory donations.

Carolyn added,

“Florence has changed me - what she endured was horrific. She continues to inspire how I approach my life and I am honoured to accept this role for her and all the other beautiful children affected by neuroblastoma. I am very much looking forward to working with my fellow Trustees to help Neuroblastoma UK continue funding vital research and giving hope to so many families now and in the future.”

Tony Heddon, Chair of the board of Trustees at Neuroblastoma UK said,


“The Trustees are delighted to welcome Carolyn to our Board. Her personal experience of neuroblastoma will provide valuable insights into the affect this disease has on children, parents and their families. Her passion and commitment will ensure they remain at the forefront of our minds as we develop future activity at a particularly challenging time for our charity.
“We’re predicting a huge loss of over 30% in voluntary donations this year due to the coronavirus outbreak, which could delay our funding of neuroblastoma research for next year and beyond. Carolyn and our Board play a critical role in ensuring we deliver on our mission to find a cure and fund vital research to develop more effective treatments for children with neuroblastoma.”
To support Neuroblastoma UK and donate online, visit www.neuroblastoma.org.uk/urgent-appeal





Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/ ]]>
https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

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https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 16 Jun 2020 07:44:45 GMT Business & Finance Charities & non-profits Children & Teenagers Health Medical & Pharmaceutical Public Sector & Legal Women & Beauty
<![CDATA[ Charities fund new clinical trial to help children with cancer ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/charities-fund-new-clinical-trial-to-help-children-with-cancer-0fe6ba63d93f8700d5653f5d32305abd/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/charities-fund-new-clinical-trial-to-help-children-with-cancer-0fe6ba63d93f8700d5653f5d32305abd/ Wednesday 20 May, 2020

Solving Kids’ Cancer, with Neuroblastoma UK, has awarded a grant to enable the SIOPEN High-Risk Neuroblastoma Clinical Trial 2 (HR-NBL2) to open in the UK, it is anticipated to open in early 2021. This Phase 3 clinical trial will offer children in the UK, with a diagnosis of high-risk neuroblastoma, to have the same opportunities as children across Europe and take part in this pan-European study.

“As the principal funder of clinical trials for children with neuroblastoma in the UK, we are wholly committed to funding pioneering research that provides the greatest benefit and opportunities for children facing diagnosis,” said Gail Jackson, CEO Solving Kids’ Cancer, “During the Covid-19 crisis, our priority remains on supporting families affected by neuroblastoma and ensuring vital research can continue. We have continued to work with our neuroblastoma community and clinicians and collaborated with our colleagues at Neuroblastoma UK to award this important grant.”





Solving Kids’ Cancer is working with Neuroblastoma UK, and have funded the trial in the respective amounts of £434,762.40 and £175,000, to enable this trial to take place. Without this commitment of funding there would not be any available upfront clinical trials in the UK for children diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma and the treatment pathway would remain ‘as is’ over the next five years.



“We are delighted to join forces with Solving Kids Cancer in funding this crucial clinical research trial. As a charity, we receive no government funding - it is thanks to our generous supporters that we can provide funding of £175,000 to support this vital research, which offers real potential to develop more effective and kinder treatment for children with high-risk neuroblastoma in the UK.” Commented Tony Heddon, Chair of Neuroblastoma UK, “We are committed to ensuring that research into neuroblastoma continues beyond the coronavirus pandemic. International collaboration to understand more about this rare disease is hugely important and can help to ensure that children in the UK can have equal access to new treatment. By funding this ten-year project, we can give children across the UK a chance to access treatment which could potentially save their lives.”



Professor Andy Pearson, Chair of Solving Kids’ Cancer Scientific Advisory Board, said, "The international community is exceptionally grateful to Solving Kids’ Cancer and Neuroblastoma UK for funding SIOPEN High Risk Neuroblastoma Trial 2 in the United Kingdom. The participation of the United Kingdom in this trial is absolutely crucial for children with high-risk neuroblastoma in the UK and ultimately the inclusion of the United Kingdom in this study will have a very positive benefit for children in Europe and globally."



The trial builds on the successes of the previous High-Risk Neuroblastoma Trial 1 (HR_NBL1) pan-European study developed by SIOPEN and provides a clinical trial that ensures equal access to the very best treatments and care across the UK, and a pathway for future innovative therapies to be safely administered and studied.



Around 100 children a year in the UK are diagnosed with neuroblastoma, of which approximately half will be classified as high-risk. It is a rare and aggressive childhood cancer and the vast majority of children diagnosed are under 5, despite intensive multi-modal therapy long-term survival from the high-risk form of the disease remains around 40-50%. Solving Kids’ Cancer supports families and their children throughout their cancer journey and is committed to funding research to bring better and less toxic treatment options to the UK for children fighting this deadly disease. The charity receives no statutory funding to deliver its vital work and relies on the generosity of its passionate supporters to ensure research to inform future treatments can continue. www.solvingkidscancer.org.uk





Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/ ]]>
https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

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https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 20 May 2020 15:51:05 GMT Charities & non-profits Health Lifestyle & Relationships Medical & Pharmaceutical Public Sector & Legal
<![CDATA[ Alan Carr to host Big Pub Quiz for children’s cancer charity ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/alan-carr-to-host-big-pub-quiz-for-childrens-cancer-charity-8c72169be390d84a18b62aa4bff4cf42/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/alan-carr-to-host-big-pub-quiz-for-childrens-cancer-charity-8c72169be390d84a18b62aa4bff4cf42/ Monday 27 April, 2020

Alan Carr, comedian and Patron of children’s cancer charity Neuroblastoma UK, will host a Big Pub Quiz live from his home, straight into yours!


Date: Wednesday 29th April


Time: 8pm - 930pm


Location: www.facebook.com/NeuroblastomaUK.


Funnyman Alan Carr - with programmes including “Alan Carr: Chatty Man”, the hilarious movie-themed quiz show “There’s Something About Movies”, and a regular guest on comedy panel show “A League Of Their Own” - is back to host a special one-off virtual quiz to entertain the nation during lockdown.


The comedian will be taking to Facebook Live to host Neuroblastoma UK’s first ever virtual quiz, to raise spirits, raise some laughs - and raise money for charity. There’s no entry fee or big cash prizes, but all voluntary donations from the event will help fund vital research into neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer.


Tony Heddon, Chairman of Neuroblastoma UK said, “As with many other charities, the impact of the coronavirus is putting our research funding at risk. We expect to lose around 25% of our annual income, which may mean that we simply can’t afford to support new research.


“As a charity that receives no government funding, we must ensure that research into improving treatment for children with neuroblastoma continues beyond the pandemic. It is only with your support now that we can fund new research in the future. We are so grateful to Alan once again for giving his time to support our vital work and we hope you all have a great time!”


Alan has been a Patron of Neuroblastoma UK since 2016 and is no stranger to charity events - from auction nights and celebrity football matches to organising a comedy night at Alexandra Palace raising £17,000 and more recently, hosting a quiz night raising nearly £7,000.


Enjoy 1.5 hours with Alan in the Big Pub Quiz to test your general knowledge with five rounds of questions - and lots of guaranteed laughs along the way! Take part on your own, with your household or set up a team on your favourite group app. Get on the guest list and join in at 8pm on Wednesday 29 April for a Facebook Livestream at www.facebook.com/NeuroblastomaUK.


Around two children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer, every week in the UK. If you can, please donate just £5 today and help fund research to develop new, more effective and kinder treatments for children with neuroblastoma.


Donate online: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/alancarr


Text to donate: Text NBUK followed by the amount to 70085* Text NBUK5 to donate £5, NBUK10 to donate £10 or NBUK20 to donate £20.


*Texts cost one standard rate message, plus your donation amount.





Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/ ]]>
https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

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https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 27 Apr 2020 14:23:50 GMT Charities & non-profits Entertainment & Arts Leisure & Hobbies
<![CDATA[ Comedian Alan Carr chucks the chocolate to help children with neuroblastoma ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/comedian-alan-carr-chucks-the-chocolate-to-help-children-with-neuroblastoma-4b491c6122adcc60949a820f05dfc613/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/comedian-alan-carr-chucks-the-chocolate-to-help-children-with-neuroblastoma-4b491c6122adcc60949a820f05dfc613/ Thursday 13 February, 2020

To mark International Childhood Cancer Day (15 Feb 2020), comedian and chocoholic Alan Carr has made a pledge to give up his favourite treat and raise money for research into neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer. 


Alan Carr, comedian and celebrity patron of Neuroblastoma UK, is supporting the charity’s Great Give It Up this March and said, “Neuroblastoma is a horrible cancer which mostly affects children. I love a cheeky bit of chocolate and it’ll be a huge challenge for me to give it up! But it’s nowhere near as big a challenge as what these children go through.



“Children with neuroblastoma need treatment which can make them so sick that they have to give up their favourite food too. But they don’t have a choice. Please join me this March and make your Great Give It Up pledge today to help fund vital research into neuroblastoma.”



How it works


It’s simple - choose something to give up during March and and make your #GreatGiveItUp pledge at www.neuroblastoma.org.uk/great-give-it-up It could be anything from giving up chocolate like Alan, laying off the lattes, cutting out crisps to making it a meat-free March.



By donating the money you’d save to Neuroblastoma UK, you’ll be funding vital research to help deliver new, effective and kinder treatments for children with neuroblastoma.



Your donations will fund much-needed research to improve treatments and one day, find a cure for neuroblastoma.


£2 - or your daily coffee - could pay for a glass petri dish to help researchers grow and study cells, to understand the causes of neuroblastoma£25 - or your weekly lunch - could buy a pack of microscope slides, enabling scientists to examine neuroblastoma cells in minute detail.£50 - or filling up the car with petrol - could pay for equipment to help researchers grow neuroblastoma cells and study possible treatment of the disease.£100 - or your weekly takeaway during March - could help pay for a DNA extraction kit, enabling researchers to develop personalised treatment for children with neuroblastoma.


ENDS




Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/ ]]>
https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

]]>
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 13 Feb 2020 12:28:45 GMT Charities & non-profits Children & Teenagers Health Lifestyle & Relationships
<![CDATA[ Comedian Alan Carr supports new fundraising campaign for Neuroblastoma UK ahead of World Cancer Day. ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/comedian-alan-carr-supports-new-fundraising-campaign-for-neuroblastoma-uk-ahead-of-world-cancer-day-b613b4d7ecb702ea815f28c156280a9a/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/comedian-alan-carr-supports-new-fundraising-campaign-for-neuroblastoma-uk-ahead-of-world-cancer-day-b613b4d7ecb702ea815f28c156280a9a/ Tuesday 28 January, 2020

Ahead of World Cancer Day on Tuesday 4 February, comedian Alan Carr and celebrity patron of Neuroblastoma UK is challenging the nation to join the Great Give It Up this March and raise money for vital research into neuroblastoma - a rare childhood cancer and the most common solid tumour in children after brain tumours.


It’s simple - choose something to give up for the month of March and and make your #GreatGiveItUp pledge at neuroblastoma.org.uk. Count up the money you save by laying off the lattes, cutting out crisps or making it a meat-free March, make a donation to Neuroblastoma UK and help fund life-saving research..


Comedian Alan Carr, and celebrity patron of Neuroblastoma UK, is joining the Great Give It Up this March. He said, “Children with neuroblastoma often have to give up things they love during treatment. They may have to give up fun stuff like swimming or feel so sick that they can’t eat their favourite food. Please join me this March and make your Great Give It Up pledge today.”


Katherine Mobey, Fundraising Manager at Neuroblastoma UK said, “Giving something up is never easy - and the dark, cold days of the New Year don’t make it any easier. So start spring afresh and make giving up great again with the Great Give it Up this March! By donating the money you save to Neuroblastoma UK, you’ll be funding vital research to help deliver new, effective and kinder treatments for children with neuroblastoma. We won’t give up the fight against neuroblastoma - but can you give something up to help save young lives?”


Your donations will fund much-needed research to improve treatments and one day, find a cure for neuroblastoma.


£2 - or your daily coffee - could pay for a glass petri dish to help researchers grow and study cells, to understand the causes of neuroblastoma£25 - or your weekly lunch - could buy a pack of microscope slides, enabling scientists to examine neuroblastoma cells in minute detail.£50 - or filling up the car with petrol - could pay for equipment to help researchers grow neuroblastoma cells and study possible treatment of the disease.£100 - or your weekly takeaway during March - could help pay for a DNA extraction kit, enabling researchers to develop personalised treatment for children with neuroblastoma.


This year’s campaign will run from 1st March to 31st March. Make your Great Give it Up pledge this World Cancer Day at www.neuroblastoma.org.uk. Join our Great Give it Up challenge this March and help fight childhood cancer.


ENDS




Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/ ]]>
https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

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https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 28 Jan 2020 07:05:02 GMT Charities & non-profits Children & Teenagers Entertainment & Arts Health
<![CDATA[ ‘One in a million’ Oscar supports new fundraising campaign to give hope to others, after a Christmas wish comes true. ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/one-in-a-million-oscar-supports-new-fundraising-campaign-to-give-hope-to-others-after-a-christmas-wish-comes-true-e26a7a6d417c7307b1c58b32fb69a14b/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/one-in-a-million-oscar-supports-new-fundraising-campaign-to-give-hope-to-others-after-a-christmas-wish-comes-true-e26a7a6d417c7307b1c58b32fb69a14b/ Thursday 5 December, 2019

Oscar, aged two from Waterlooville in Hampshire was just 18 months old when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer. He was also diagnosed with dancing eye syndrome - a rare neurological condition affecting around one person in a million worldwide which can sometimes be associated with neuroblastoma. 


Oscar and his family are supporting a new Christmas campaign with Neuroblastoma UK, to raise vital funds for research into neuroblastoma - a rare childhood cancer - after their Christmas wish came true in 2018.


Keira, Oscar’s mum said, “Following Oscar’s cancer diagnosis in July 2018, major surgery and a year of hospital visits and check-ups, our hopes at Christmas last year were that his tumour would disappear and that Oscar wouldn’t need any further treatment. Our wishes came true in May 2019. The tumour was all gone and two months later, Oscar completed his final course of steroids, the treatment for his dancing eye syndrome.


“Oscar is like a different child now. He’s just so much happier. He’s tough, he’s strong willed and stronger for all he’s experienced. We went through so much last year and are looking forward to a peaceful family Christmas. And we can’t wait to celebrate Oscar’s third birthday in a few weeks time! We are supporting Neuroblastoma UK and their new campaign to give hope to other families like ours.”


The charity’s Christmas campaign aims to #GiveHope to families like Oscar’s, by raising money for leading research projects which aim to deliver new, more effective and kinder treatments for children with neuroblastoma.


Keira said, “We first noticed something was wrong when Oscar started shaking, like something you’d see when people have Parkinson’s disease. One night, we put him to bed and his eyes started to jerk, it was really odd. He got progressively worse as the week passed, and started to stumble, even though he’d been walking for six months already. He also developed a rash so our GP sent us to the local hospital for various checks including dermatological tests, urine tests and a bone marrow sample.


“The VMA levels (vanillylmandelic acid) in Oscar’s urine were abnormally high - they asked if Oscar liked eating lots of bananas as this can affect the levels too! But as a nurse, I knew it was more serious - high VMA levels indicate that he may have a tumour. Oscar also needed an MRI scan but because he was so little, he had to have a general anaesthetic to keep him still.


“Oscar was also diagnosed with dancing eye syndrome, a rare neurological condition that is sometimes associated with neuroblastoma. In my heart I knew something was seriously wrong. The doctors said “We’re so sorry. Oscar has cancer.” and I immediately thought my son was going to die. He had a 5cm tumour which was wrapped around his aorta and kidney.


“Oscar was in surgery for six hours whilst the doctors performed a biopsy. The surgeon came to see us afterwards and simply said “I’ve got it.” He was able to remove 95% of the tumour, which included the primary source of the tumour. The remaining 5% was left on Oscar’s aorta and should simply shrivel away and die. We were so lucky that the doctors were able to save Oscar’s kidney and that he didn’t need chemotherapy.


“We were amazed by Oscar and his recovery. He was discharged 48 hours after major surgery, something his doctors had never done before - he was our super baby! 


"It took around 6-8 weeks for Oscar to heal. He had a scan every three months and in October 2018, the tumour had reduced. He also needed a years course of steroids, with a high dose administered for three days every month.


“That Christmas, Oscar’s health was still very up and down because of the steroids and we wanted to make Christmas very special for him. We knew then that he wouldn’t need chemotherapy so wanted to celebrate as much as we could. 


"Our hopes for the new year were that the last bit of tumour would disappear, he would finish his steroid treatment and not need any further treatment. Our wishes came true in May 2019. The tumour was all gone and two months later, Oscar completed the course of steroids.”


Katherine Mobey, Fundraising Manager at Neuroblastoma UK said, “Neuroblastoma is a cancer that almost exclusively affects children, with around 100 children diagnosed every year in the UK. Christmas is a time when families should be visiting Father Christmas and having fun, not visiting hospital for treatment and receiving medication.


“With our new fundraising campaign, we want to give hope to more families like Oscar’s. By funding more vital research, we can help scientists search for new and kinder treatments, give children with neuroblastoma a better quality of life after treatment, and move closer to finding a cure.”


To make a donation, visit www.neuroblastoma.org.uk/christmas.




Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/ ]]>
https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

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https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 05 Dec 2019 11:03:32 GMT Charities & non-profits Children & Teenagers Christmas Health Lifestyle & Relationships
<![CDATA[ 13 YEAR OLD BOY WHO SURVIVED RARE CHILDHOOD CANCER TWICE SUPPORTS NEW FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/13-year-old-boy-who-survived-rare-childhood-cancer-twice-supports-new-fundraising-campaign-af23a88789c7144581742ba7aa1effa9/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/13-year-old-boy-who-survived-rare-childhood-cancer-twice-supports-new-fundraising-campaign-af23a88789c7144581742ba7aa1effa9/ Friday 29 November, 2019

13 year old Ryan Savage, from Billingham in Stockton-on-Tees, features in a new Christmas campaign with Neuroblastoma UK, to raise vital funds for neuroblastoma research.


Ryan was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer, when he was just three years old. He was given a 5% chance of survival and doctors told his parents that he may not live to see Christmas.


This Christmas campaign aims to #GiveHope to families like Ryan’s, by raising money for leading research projects which aim to deliver new, more effective and kinder treatments for children with neuroblastoma.


Ryan’s mum Lisa says, “Christmas is Ryan’s favourite time of year - he’s not a child who asks for much but he is always just so happy to celebrate Christmas with his family. Every time Christmas comes around, it’s a precious reminder to our family that another year has passed since Ryan fought this terrible disease twice, and won.


“Ryan was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma on 29th October 2009 - a date that will be etched on my memory forever. He came home from nursery complaining of stomach pains. He wouldn’t eat and the pain got worse, so I took him to A&E that night. Doctors thought it was constipation or trapped wind but two days later, he had a high temperature, was in extreme pain and, worryingly, he couldn’t move his legs.


“We took him back to A&E and they did an immediate MRI scan. They found a tumour wrapped around Ryan’s spine and we were told that Ryan could have less than two months to live, and he might not see Christmas.


Our world was turned upside-down by a cancer we had never even heard of before.”



Ryan began chemotherapy immediately, followed by surgery to remove the majority of his tumours. After a gruelling year of cancer treatment, Ryan was in remission and the family could celebrate another Christmas together.


But two years later, doctors found another tumour in his chest and their consultant said it was the worst case that she’d ever seen.


“Our little man endured another two really tough years of treatment including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, a stem cell transplant and major surgery. He also needed ribs removed as the cancerous tumours had wrapped around his little bones. By March 2012, the only tumour left in his body was a growth behind his heart. In October 2013, the heart tumour no longer appeared on his scans.


Ryan endured years of treatment including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, a stem cell transplant and major surgery, after having neuroblastoma twice.



“Seeing what Ryan went through, it breaks my heart to think of all those children fighting neuroblastoma this Christmas. They should be at home enjoying the fun of the festive season with their families. I know from personal experience that their parents will be hoping against hope that the treatment their children receive will help them beat neuroblastoma too.


“Little children simply don’t deserve to be robbed of their precious early years, nor should they have the threat of their cancer returning constantly hanging over them. But there is still so much more research that needs to be done to prevent children suffering like Ryan did.”


Katherine Mobey, Fundraising Manager at Neuroblastoma UK said, “Neuroblastoma is a cancer that almost exclusively affects children, with around 100 children diagnosed every year in the UK. Christmas is a time when families should be together and having fun, not going through harsh cancer treatment.


“With our new fundraising campaign, we want to give hope to more families like Ryan’s. By funding more vital research, we can help scientists search for new and kinder treatments, give children with neuroblastoma a better quality of life after treatment, and move closer to finding a cure.”


To make a donation, visit www.neuroblastoma.org.uk/christmas.




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https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

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https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 29 Nov 2019 12:42:05 GMT Charities & non-profits Christmas Health
<![CDATA[ TRUSTEES ARE WALKING OVER CANCER THIS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/trustees-are-walking-over-cancer-this-childhood-cancer-awareness-month-5925aa8eb6123e4e6bdfd1c5fc68d611/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/trustees-are-walking-over-cancer-this-childhood-cancer-awareness-month-5925aa8eb6123e4e6bdfd1c5fc68d611/ Thursday 5 September, 2019

Thursday 5 September 2019: For immediate release


TRUSTEES ARE WALKING OVER CANCER THIS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH


Neuroblastoma UK’s Chair of Trustees, Tony Heddon (from Four Marks, Hampshire) and the Charity’s Secretary, Shirley Clark (from Kew, London) are taking part in the Thames Bridges Trek on Saturday 7th September to raise vital funds for neuroblastoma research. Shirley, along with Tony and his family, are walking in memory of Shirley’s daughter Joanna, who sadly passed away in 1995, aged 8, after being diagnosed with neuroblastoma.


Shirley, Tony and his family (wife Karen, 57 and daughters Emily, 25 and Sophie, 18) will join 2,000 walkers to trek 25km over 16 Thames Bridges. They’ll be “#GoingGold for Joanna” as they trek over the 16 bridges, includes the Golden Jubilee Bridge, to celebrate Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.


Shirley previously took part in the Thames Bridge Trek in 2016, for the 21st anniversary of Joanna’s death, raising over £2,000. Shirley will also be running in the Kew Gardens 10k as part of Richmond Runfest on Saturday 14 September. This will be Shirley’s first 10k in 37 years!


Shirley, aged 62, who joined the Board of Trustees at Neuroblastoma UK in 2006 says, “September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and it's also the month we lost Joanna, so what better incentive to take on this challenge in her memory.


“As a Trustee of Neuroblastoma UK, I was heartened that this year - due to the generosity of our supporters - we were able to allocate £1.177million into research projects looking for new and more effective treatments for this aggressive childhood cancer. For the next biennial grant round our aim is to double that amount. Only by funding leading research will progress be made in combating this disease and give hope to the families of children with neuroblastoma.”


To support Shirley, Tony and the team, please visit their fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/forjj


ENDS


Photographs and further interviews available on request.NOTES TO EDITORS




Event details:


https://www.thamespathchallenge.com/thames-bridges-trekStart location / time: Bishops Park, Fulham, South West London. The team will start their trek at 11.10am Finish location / time: Southwark Park, East-Central London. The team hope to finish in around four hours (at approximately 3/330pm)


About neuroblastoma:


On average, every week in the UK, two families are told that their child has neuroblastoma, a rare and life-threatening cancer. Neuroblastoma is a cancer of the nerve cells. It usually affects children under the age of five, and can occur before a child is born. It is the most common solid tumour in childhood after brain tumours.


About Childhood Cancer Awareness Month


During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, Neuroblastoma UK will be encouraging people to join them in #GoingGold by wearing a Gold Ribbon, an awareness symbol to show support for children with cancer and their families.To find out how to support Neuroblastoma UK this September, visit www.neuroblastoma.org.uk/childhood-cancer-awareness-month


About Neuroblastoma UK:


Neuroblastoma UK is a national charity dedicated to finding a cure for neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer. We do this by funding leading research projects to deliver new, effective and kinder treatments for children with neuroblastoma. We rely entirely on voluntary donations and receive no government funding.Neuroblastoma UK is supporting nine new research studies this year, with a total funding of £1.177 million.Every two years, we run a research competition to ensure that public donations fund the best neuroblastoma research which have potential value to neuroblastoma patients. By funding leading research projects, Neuroblastoma UK can help scientists to deliver new, effective and kinder treatments for children with neuroblastoma.As part of our commitment to drive forward research into this terrible disease, we want to double our annual income over the next two years.Registered charity number 326385To find out more, visit www.neuroblastoma.org.uk




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https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

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https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 05 Sep 2019 12:17:12 GMT Charities & non-profits Health Leisure & Hobbies Lifestyle & Relationships Sport Women & Beauty
<![CDATA[ #GoingGold with new gold ribbon products to help children with neuroblastoma this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/goinggold-with-new-gold-ribbon-products-to-help-children-with-neuroblastoma-this-childhood-cancer-awareness-month-3e15831e501973dbf1aa8ff805338c9c/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/goinggold-with-new-gold-ribbon-products-to-help-children-with-neuroblastoma-this-childhood-cancer-awareness-month-3e15831e501973dbf1aa8ff805338c9c/ Friday 30 August, 2019

To celebrate Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September, national charity Neuroblastoma UK is launching two unique Gold Ribbon products to raise awareness of neuroblastoma and raise life-saving funds. This initiative is part of an ambitious plan to double the charity’s income in just two years.





#GoingGold to help children with neuroblastoma


During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Neuroblastoma UK will be joining other children’s cancer charities worldwide by encouraging supporters to wear a Gold Ribbon. Across the globe, the gold ribbon is an awareness symbol to show support for children with cancer and their families.



By donating £1, people can show their support for children with neuroblastoma and their families by wearing a unique Neuroblastoma UK ribbon.



Or supporters can turn on the charm and donate £3 to receive a unique, hand-made ribbon charm bracelet. This beautiful hand-made bracelet features a special ribbon charm on a golden cord. It comes in a hand stamped Neuroblastoma UK kraft envelope on a backing card.



Supporters are also being encouraged to #WearAndShare their Gold Ribbon photos on Instagram, Facebook andTwitter.



Tony Heddon, Chair of Neuroblastoma UK said, “We are excited to launch these unique products in time for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. We are a small charity but we have big plans. We want to double our income over the next two years and double our research investment. Thanks to our generous supporters, we have already awarded nearly £7 million to UK research focusing on neuroblastoma. But more needs to be done. We rely entirely on voluntary donations to continue driving forward research into this terrible disease and give more families hope.”



Get your Gold Ribbon products by making a donation at https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk/Childhood-cancer-awareness-month







Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/ ]]>
https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

]]>
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 30 Aug 2019 15:26:24 GMT Charities & non-profits Retail & Fashion
<![CDATA[ RUNNING FOR FUN THIS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/running-for-fun-this-childhood-cancer-awareness-month-f5ae3217afea506efd885e2b7f2c6b6d/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/running-for-fun-this-childhood-cancer-awareness-month-f5ae3217afea506efd885e2b7f2c6b6d/ Wednesday 28 August, 2019

Lauren Ashley - a childhood cancer survivor - aged 37 from Bedford, is taking part in the Big Fun Run on Saturday 1st September to raise money for national charity, Neuroblastoma UK.



Lauren was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma when she was 16 months old and was given a 10% chance of survival. Now aged 37, Lauren is taking part in the Big Fun Run in Milton Keynes in aid of Neuroblastoma UK, on Saturday 1st September to raise awareness of this rare childhood cancer during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.



Lauren has already raised nearly £200 for Neuroblastoma UK and hopes to raise even more to fund vital research into neuroblastoma.



Lauren said, “I am running for 'fun' this September with my little sister Fern and my children Eryn, aged 13, and Greyson, aged 3 to raise money for Neuroblastoma UK because it’s an incredibly important charity to me. I want to give something back to an organisation that saved my life and gave me the opportunity to enjoy everything I do today, so other kids can also live to experience the joy of middle age!



“Raising awareness of the disease is so important - it can help with earlier diagnosis and the research funded by Neuroblastoma UK will continue to save more young lives.”



Katherine Mobey, Fundraising Manager at Neuroblastoma UK said, “We’re thrilled that Lauren and her family are taking part in this great event to kick off our activities for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. We are a small charity but we have big plans. We want to double our income over the next two years and double our research investment. Thanks to our generous supporters like Lauren, we have already awarded nearly £7 million to UK research focusing on neuroblastoma. But more needs to be done. We rely entirely on donations to continue driving forward research into this terrible disease and give more families like Lauren’s hope.”



To support Lauren and Neuroblastoma UK, please visit Lauren’s fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lauren-wright24



To find out how to support Neuroblastoma UK this September, visit www.neuroblastoma.org.uk/childhood-cancer-awareness-month



ENDS





Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/ ]]>
https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

]]>
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 28 Aug 2019 16:14:39 GMT Charities & non-profits Health Leisure & Hobbies Lifestyle & Relationships Sport
<![CDATA[ Oliver takes the plunge for charity at Cranleigh ]]> https://pressat.co.uk/releases/oliver-takes-the-plunge-for-charity-at-cranleigh-4d7069fc95c99c36da0a1ff68604c313/ https://pressat.co.uk/releases/oliver-takes-the-plunge-for-charity-at-cranleigh-4d7069fc95c99c36da0a1ff68604c313/ Thursday 16 May, 2019

A youngster from Cranleigh will be making a splash for charity on Friday 17 May as he swims a mile in memory of his late cousin, who died at just five-years-old from a rare form of cancer called Neuroblastoma. Oliver Faithfull, 10, will be swimming the mile at Cranleigh Golf and Country Club’s swimming pool on Friday, May 17, to raise money for a charity close to his heart – Neuroblastoma UK, which aims to find new, effective and kinder treatment for children who suffer from the disease and continues its research to hopefully find a cure in the future. Neuroblastoma, an aggressive cancer of the nerve tissue, is most common in children and babies and affects more than 100 children each year in the UK. Oliver’s cousin, Greg, died from the disease 15 years ago meaning Oliver never got to meet him, but he’s very close with his aunt, Donna (Greg’s mum), and also wants to do the swim for her. Oliver is also hoping that the swim will raise awareness of the importance of learning to swim and has coincided his challenge with International Learn to Swim Week. A keen swimmer, Oliver had his first lesson when he was just three-months-old and has continued lessons with Cranleigh’s highly regarded Swim Safe School since. He’s hoping the swim will inspire others to take up lessons. Drowning is the third highest cause of death in children in the UK with an average of one person dying every 20 hours in the UK and Ireland as a result of drowning. Another statistic that is quite astonishing is that one in five adults in England are unable to swim.One-to-one lessons have helped Oliver prepare for his mile-long swim next week, with a focus on his breathing, swimming technique and general fitness. Excited for the challenge, Oliver said: “15 years ago my cousin Greg died and as I’m only 10, I unfortunately never got the opportunity to meet him.


“My Swim Safe School teacher, Darren, suggested I try to swim a mile to raise funds for a charity, so I decided to raise money for Neuroblastoma UK in memory of Greg and I hope to make my Auntie Donna proud.”


Find out more about Neuroblastoma UK, International Learn to Swim Week or www.swimsafeschool.co.uk


To donate please visit Oliver’s JustGiving page


ENDS




Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/ ]]>
https://twitter.com/NeuroblastomaUK Pressat liz.brown@neuroblastoma.org.uk
https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Additional Contact(s):
Mob: 07968 349535

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https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk 16 May 2019 15:44:00 GMT Charities & non-profits