| Subject |
Artic Bound MP is Inspired by Visit to Cancer Lab
|
| Ref |
PR/07-104 |
| Date |
Friday 2nd February
2007 |
Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood today gained inspiration for
his forthcoming 300-mile trek across Arctic Circle by visiting a
pioneering cancer research laboratory.
Mr Ellwood will be raising funds for three charities when he departs
for the epic adventure featuring husky dog sleds on February 9.
One of the good causes is Cancer Research UK and Tobias was among
a group of MPs who visited the charity's London Research Institute
in Lincoln's Inn Fields.
He toured laboratories and saw at first hand how basic research,
aimed at understanding how normal cells in the body become cancers,
is providing a foundation for developing new and more effective
ways of preventing and treating the disease.
Tobias met with Doctor Nancy Hogg, Head of the Leukocyte Adhesion
Lab, who talked about her research, and Richard Davidson, Cancer
Research UK's Director of Policy & Public Affairs who discussed
the current issues facing the charity.
Tobias said, "This has been an excellent opportunity to learn
about the research going on in London. This work has the potential
to make an enormous impact for cancer patients in the future. Cancer
Research UK funds research all over the UK and it is vital to support
this life-saving work.
"The tour has greatly inspired me to ensure that as much money
as possible is raised through the forthcoming Westminster Arctic
Challenge. When I'm feeling the pinch of temperatures as low as
40 degrees, I shall reflect on my conversations with the Cancer
Research UK scientists I have met and no doubt gain huge inspiration
to push on with the trek."
The Westminster Arctic Challenge team also includes senior representatives
from the beneficiary charities. The eight day expedition, taking
place during the Parliamentary recess, passes through Finland, Sweden
and Norway to the Tri-nations Border. The group will feed, clean
and care for their husky dogs, build igloos to sleep in and catch
fish to survive.
The overall aim of the Westminster Arctic Challenge is to bring
politics and charities closer together.
Cancer Research UK is the leading funder of cancer research in
the UK. It funds the work of 3,500 scientists, doctors and nurses
across the UK in more than 35 towns and cities across the UK. The
charity employs its own scientists as well as supporting grant-funded
researchers in UK universities, medical schools and institutes.
Tobias's chosen local charity is Life Education Dorset.
Life Education Dorset is an independent and self-supporting branch
of a national charity working in partnership with schools and the
community to help children between the ages of 3 and 11 make informed
healthy choices. Using high tech mobile classrooms, fun-filled programmes
and specially trained Educators, they work with over 200 schools
and 42,000 children across Dorset every year.
For further information about Cancer Research UK's work visit www.cancerresearchuk.org
For further information about Life Education Dorset's work visit
www.lifeeducationdorset.org.uk
Ends
Notes to Editors:
About the Westminster Arctic Challenge:
Cancer Research UK is one of three charities will benefit from
the challenge. The others are Crimestoppers and The Children's Society.
The expedition will be carbon neutral and will afford the team
the opportunity to experience first hand the effects of climate
change on the environment.
The participating MPs are: Tobias Ellwood (Con), Nick Clegg (LD),
Emily Thornberry (Lab), Ed Vaizey (Con), and Jenny Willott (LD)
To sponsor an MP visit www.justgiving.com/westminsterchallenge2007
or to find out more about the expedition visit www.westminsterchallenge.org
About Cancer Research UK:
" Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research
UK's vision is to beat cancer.
" Cancer Research UK carries out world-class research to improve
understanding of the disease and find out how to prevent, diagnose
and treat different kinds of cancer.
" Cancer Research UK ensures that its findings are used to
improve the lives of all cancer patients.
" Cancer Research UK helps people to understand cancer, the
progress that is being made and the choices each person can make.
" Cancer Research UK works in partnership with others to achieve
the greatest impact in the global fight against cancer.
The challenge itself consists of a team of five MPs travelling
across Finland, Sweden and Norway by husky dog sled.
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