The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Southgate visits Sir Bobby’s centre
ENGLAND football team manager Gareth Southgate said it was “a privilege” to visit the Tyneside cancer drug trials centre named in honour of one of his predecessors.
During a visit to the North East on Monday, Southgate paid a special visit to Newcastle Hospitals and the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Freeman Hospital.
The centre was officially opened by Sir Bobby in 2009, who was one of the first patients to receive treatment there.
During the visit, Southgate met patients undertaking clinical trials of new cancer drugs at the centre.
He said: “It has been a privilege to visit the centre and see the legacy that Sir Bobby has left here. Football is a huge part of the North East and Sir Bobby is an icon of the English game who had a massive impact on the fundraising that has allowed this centre to continue with important trials.
“It was lovely to see Sir Bobby’s son Mark again, meet the staff and see the brilliant job they do, but also special to hopefully put a smile on the faces of some of those receiving treatment.”
Patients come from across the North East and Cumbria for treatment at the Sir Bobby Robson Centre, which offers hope for people with advanced cancer.
The research and clinical trials undertaken there are part of long-term national and international efforts into the disease. Sir Bobby hoped they would become his legacy for others facing cancer.
Last year, there were 400 new adult patient referrals to the Sir Bobby Robson Centre and there are 30 clinical drug trials currently under way.
Teri Bayliss, Newcastle Hospitals Charity Director, says: “To manage The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is an honour for Newcastle Hospitals Charity. We share Sir Bobby’s vision to help find more effective ways to treat and detect cancer, and the legacy he created for the thousands of individual patients that come through the centre is one that we are committed to growing both now, and for the future.”
Former Newcastle United boss Sir Bobby managed England for eight years, including memorable World Cup campaigns in 1986 and 1990.
First diagnosed in 1990, Sir Bobby faced cancer five times and, in 2008, launched a Foundation, part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity, to find more effective ways to detect and treat the disease.
The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation’s initial aim was to raise £500,000 to equip the cancer trials centre, which was then under construction at the Freeman Hospital.
As well as equipping the Sir Bobby Robson Centre, the Foundation also funds trainee posts for both a doctor and nurse specialising in clinical drug trials within it and specialist posts providing patients with occupational therapy, complementary therapy and a dietician.
Sir Bobby was touched by the support his Foundation received from the FA and within all levels of the football community. He was particularly proud when then England boss Fabio Capello joined him at the official opening of the Sir Bobby Robson Centre.
Capello spoke passionately about Sir Bobby and presented him with a cheque for his Foundation on behalf of the FA, support which has continued to this day and is helping fund a range of groundbreaking cancer treatments and innovative patient support services, including a range of support for young patients with cancer at the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle.
Sir Bobby described his Foundation as his “last and greatest team”.
He had no idea how large his team would grow, or how much it would go on to achieve.