Lib Dems back Beatson Pebble Appeal

Written by Jo Swinson/Ross Finnie on Tue 28th Jul 2009

Lib Dems back Beatson Pebble Appeal

Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson MP and Ross Finnie MSP have tabled Parliamentary motions in Westminster and Holyrood in support of the Beatson Pebble Appeal.

The Pebble Appeal is raising funds to build the Beatson Translational Research Centre, which will be the final element in the creation of the Glasgow Centre for Cancer Research. The new centre will convert basic cancer research into real improvements in treatments for patients, focusing upon especially common tumours, those that cause the most deaths in Scotland such as endocrine (breast, prostate and ovarian); smoking related (lung, throat, oral) and gastrointestinal cancer.

The Beatson Translational Research Centre is being jointly developed by the University of Glasgow, the Beatson Institute, Cancer Research UK and the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board. Since the campaign was launched in the summer of 2007, over £1.5 million has been pledged.

Commenting, Jo Swinson said:

"Glasgow has been named the 'cancer capital of Europe', and 41 people die of cancer every day in Scotland. We all know someone who has been affected by cancer, and that's why it's so important that the Pebble Appeal receives as much support as possible. I will be doing the Great Scottish Run half marathon in September to raise money for the Pebble Appeal, and I am encouraging others to do their bit, whether it's making a donation via the website or organising a fundraising event."

Commenting Mr Finnie said:

"In the West of Scotland 54 people a day are diagnosed with cancer, so it is more crucial than ever that we get facilities like the Beatson Translational Research Centre up and running. I will certainly be sponsoring Jo and I will continue to campaign for the Beatson Translational Research Centre in the Scottish Parliament."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For information on how you can help the Beatson Pebble Appeal, please visit:

http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/givingtoglasgow/beatsonpebbleappeal/howyoucanhelp/

The text of Jo Swinson's Early Day Motion appears below:

That this House supports the Beatson Pebble Appeal, a £10 million campaign to raise funds to build the Beatson Translational Research Centre which will foster collaboration between scientists and clinical researchers to improve existing cancer therapies and develop new treatments; notes that more than 1 in 3 people in the UK will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime and that cancer causes 1 in 4 deaths in the UK, but that cancer research has been instrumental in reducing the overall cancer death rate by 10% over the last decade; further notes that translational research bridges the chasm between scientific discovery and successful patient treatment and that this facility will greatly enhance the capability and of the Glasgow Centre for Cancer Research; praises the efforts of the Pebble Appeal to raise the additional funds required to build this exceptional facility.

The text of Ross Finnie's Motion appears below:

S3M-04314 Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): Support the Beatson Pebble Centre

That the Parliament supports the Beatson Pebble Appeal, a £10 million campaign to raise funds to build the Beatson Translational Research Centre, which will foster collaboration between scientists and clinical researchers to improve existing cancer therapies and develop new treatments; notes that more than one in three people in the United Kingdom will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime and that cancer causes one in four deaths in the UK, but that cancer research has been instrumental in reducing the overall cancer death rate by 10% over the last decade; further notes that translational research bridges the gap between scientific discovery and successful patient treatment; considers that this facility will greatly enhance the capability of the Glasgow Centre for Cancer Research, and praises the efforts of the Beatson Pebble Appeal to raise the additional funds required to build this exceptional facility.

You can sponsor Jo's half marathon at the following website:

http://www.justgiving.com/jo4pebbleappeal/