New project to boost research into childhood blood cancer in Birmingham
The national blood cancer, Cure Leukaemia, think it will bring new hope to families
Last updated 14th Dec 2024
Birmingham Children's Hospital are welcoming a new initiative which will see more research into blood cancer amongst children.
It is known as ATICUS and will bring together all hospitals in the UK that offer paediatric blood cancer treatment.
That means that trials and new treatments will be available at all hospitals, rather than a select few.
This network of 11 Children’s Hospitals, including Birmingham Children’s Hospital, will be instrumental in advancing medical research and providing improved healthcare solutions for children suffering from leukaemia.
The national blood cancer charity behind it, Cure Leukaemia, think it will bring new hope to families.
**_"We cure most, but we want to cure all"_**
Dr Sarah Lawson treats young children with blood cancer at Birmingham Children's Hospital everyday.
"Just in Birmingham there is over 50 children diagnosed with blood cancer per year. That is more than one a week.
"We cure most but we want to cure all. That's what we're hoping this will do.
"Without the network, children may have to go to other hospitals that are further away for new treatment and trials.
"One child is from Sheffield, he came to us for a trial that we have open here that Sheffield did not offer. The poor family have had to relocate to Birmingham for a month," she said.
£1 million of annual funding is needed so that the network can exist.
Dr Sarah explained why they need the funding: "By doing research trials in all centres, you need to pay for research nurses to deliver that treatment and to gather the data so that we can learn and get better," she said.
They are hoping that local businesses will contribute to this initiative.