In the last five years alone, a number of pioneering research projects and the opening of a specialist childhood cancer research centre have been possible thanks to the generosity of kind-hearted donors.

From April 2012, a total of £25,326,355 in private donations has helped projects across Newcastle University, such as student scholarships and SOLE Central – an international project dedicated to improving education.

Within the total, £7.07m has been directly linked to cancer research, including £5.5m for the Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre to enable the University to build on its strong research reputation.

Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre

The Wolfson facility is where clinical research teams from across the city can come together to advance their understanding of how to treat childhood cancers and change the lives of young people.

A PhD student has received £109,000 for research into childhood cancer and just under £60,000 has been provided for a studentship to focus on a rare form of cancer of the uterine wall.

Teri Wishart, Director of Newcastle University Advancement, said: “We are very grateful to our alumni and supporters for their generous donations which allow Newcastle University to build on its strong reputation in cancer research.

“Private donations also benefit important projects across the University, such as SOLE Central, medical research projects, student scholarships and bursaries.

“The support we receive is invaluable in helping us maintain and improve our status as a world-class university and deliver the best possible environment for learning, teaching and research.”

Newcastle University’s Future Fund campaign raised millions for the Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre with donations from organisations and members of the public making a difference.

The Wolfson Foundation invested £1.5m, Barbour Foundation, £1m; North of England Children’s Cancer Research Fund, £500,000; the Garfield Weston Foundation donated £500,000; and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is supporting the work carried out in the centre with a donation of £1m.

The Future Fund campaign has been a collaboration between Newcastle University, North of England Children’s Cancer Research and Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Pioneering study

A recent study at the Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre and Northumbria University, published in The Lancet Oncology, has made a significant development in understanding childhood cancer.  

Researchers found that childhood medulloblastoma can be separated into seven different subgroups which all have their own biological and clinical characteristics.

It is hoped that this finding will give young patients with the life-threatening condition access to better treatment programmes tailored to their individual needs and new drug options in the future.