May Minister for Health launches €4million charitable investment in breast cancer research

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill T.D. today formally launched a €4million charitable funding investment by National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI) for research into life-changing advancements in patient care and outcomes at University of Galway.

 The NBCRI philanthropy will enable enhanced research and diagnostics for the benefit of patients, including digital imaging currently not available in Ireland, the expansion of clinical trials and more international collaboration on the analysis of clinical samples.

 The multimillion-euro charitable funding is being provided as part of a new Signature Partnership between NBCRI and the University which will provide for new, critical academic and research posts.

 The partnership and philanthropy build on a legacy of relations between the two organisations going back more than three decades, with a specific focus on enabling scientific and clinical research over the last 15 years.

 The Signature Partnership was officially signed and formally launched at an event in the University’s Lambe Institute for Translational Research.

 Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, T.D.: “I am delighted to launch this important partnership between the National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI) and the University of Galway. This investment of €4 million in breast cancer research will not only enhance patient care and outcomes but also pave the way for groundbreaking advancements in research and diagnostics. As breast cancer is one of the most common cancers, with 1 in 7 women in Ireland receiving a diagnosis during their lifetime, today’s announcement marks another important step forward in supporting women affected by this disease.”

 Professor Peter McHugh, Interim President of University of Galway, said: “University of Galway welcomes this funding by NBCRI and the step change it creates in a longstanding and impactful collaboration on breast cancer research. Our partnership goes back many years and we have no doubt that this generous philanthropic investment will make a significant difference to outcomes for cancer patients, as well as the wider impact that our University can have as a research-intensive institution, rooted in the community and committed to the public good.”

 A national charity, the National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI) has been instrumental in advancing the development of the breast screening and symptomatic clinics at University Hospital Galway and the development of clinical and fundamental breast cancer research at the Lambe Institute at University of Galway.

 The new NBCRI funding investment will support:

• University of Galway’s translational breast cancer research, including metastatic breast cancer; genetic risk; biomarker discovery and detection; cell communication within tumours; stem cells and cell therapy.
• The Cancer Biobank and collaboration with expert national and international partners which enables the use of clinical samples to investigate how the disease develops, is diagnosed and is treated.
• Specialist diagnostics through state-of-the-art digital spatial imaging equipment.
• Clinical trials into diagnostics, treatment and survivorship, including breast surgery and telemedicine.
• The development of a European-accredited comprehensive cancer centre through the research programme and advocacy for improved cancer treatment infrastructure as part of the HSE West and North-West - University of Galway Cancer Centre designation as an Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) Cancer Centre. 
• Academic and research appointments and roles including a Chair of Medical Oncology; Scientific Director; clinical trials nurses; postdoctoral scientists and PhD students; cancer research summer scholarships.

 Chairperson of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute, Caroline Loughnane, said: “The mission of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute is to raise funds in support of world-class breast cancer research that has a real and measurable impact on outcomes for breast cancer patients. We are delighted to be making this investment of €4million in the breast cancer research programme at University of Galway, led by Professor Michael Kerin and his team. Research means new discoveries, more effective treatments and better outcomes for breast cancer patients. Building on more than three decades of support, NBCRI is excited to extend its commitment to the breast cancer research programme at University of Galway as it enters a new phase as a European accredited cancer centre in partnership with the HSE West and North-West.”

 Professor Michael Kerin, Professor of Surgery at University of Galway, Consultant Surgeon at Galway University Hospitals and Research Director at NBCRI, said: “This funding underpins an expansive programme of research and builds on the legacy of the NBCRI contribution to major discoveries in breast cancer ranging from the genes that cause it, biomarkers that predict outcome, improved radiological interpretation. It has allowed us to contribute to major clinical and research collaborations on this island and across the globe. The research team are immensely grateful to our Board and Volunteers whose support is immense and inspirational.”

 University of Galway’s longstanding relationship with NBCRI has enabled approximately €8million of philanthropic funding and investment in research at the Lambe Institute at the University since 2010.

 The new commitment by the NBCRI reaffirms the charity’s focus on a research-informed approach to improving patient outcomes.

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