Cancer patient hails fundraising appeal

A CANCER patient has hailed the success of a major appeal in Yorkshire to fund groundbreaking research into treating the disease.

The fundraising for the Sheffield Hospitals Charity appeal has reached its initial £90,000, but organisers are now aiming to raise a further £50,000.

The new target will finance research to eliminate myeloma cancerous cells and test new drugs that doctors believe will help to accelerate the arrival of new and effective treatments.

Myeloma sufferer Jaqui Copley, inset, from Sheffield, who has been at the forefront of the campaign, said: “The thought that myeloma is incurable is constantly hanging over your head – and the only way you get through this is by having the love and help of people around you, a strong medical team to rely on and a charity that is behind you all the way. “Finding a cure is at the forefront of my hopes and wishes for the future. This appeal has given me, my family and friends and other patients one of the biggest gifts of all – hope for the future.” Dr Andrew Chantry, a consultant with the Sheffield Myeloma Research Team, added: “I am bowled over by the kindness of local people who have donated so generously to this appeal. These funds will allow us to develop this highly promising viral treatment for myeloma.” To find out more about the research or to donate funds, visit www.sheffieldhospitalscharity. org.uk/curemyeloma.