Information on Loughborough

Cancer Awareness Evening at University of Leicester

Posted on 02/03/2009
University of Leicester

As part of its celebrations for National Science and Engineering Week, GENIE, the University of Leicesters Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) is teaming up with the Leicestershire and Rutland Charity, Hope Against Cancer, to run a Cancer Awareness Evening.

During the course of the evening there will be a talk by Professor Will Steward, Head of the Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine. Topics under discussion will include the role of diet in causing cancer and there will be hands-on activities to demonstrate some of the basic things that can lead to cancer.

One session for parents and teachers will explore opportunities surrounding a forthcoming initiative to introduce school students to some of the world class research into cancer treatment and prevention that takes place at the University.

The project, supported by GENIE and by AstraZeneca, is planned to start in September 2009 when a team from the University will go out to schools. Building on GENIEs already extensive outreach programme, there will also be opportunities for school parties to visit labs and see for themselves some of the international research that is led by the University and Leicester hospitals.

Professor Annette Cashmore, Director of the Universitys GENIE CETL in Genetics and Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences commented: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the University and Hope Against Cancer to work together to raise awareness across a broad sector of the community.

The GENIE CETL, funded by HEFCE, builds on existing expertise and synergy between world-class science and genetics education in the Department of Genetics at the University of Leicester.

It leads in the development of innovative approaches to teaching and learning and has established a network of institutions engaged in teaching genetics, promoting the sharing of resources and experience. An internationally accessible database of these resources, the Virtual Genetics Education Centre, has also been assembled.

The work of GENIE extends beyond genetics. There are projects related to topics affecting all subject areas such as student assessment and feedback, and also projects relevant to general issues in higher education like the reward and recognition collaboration with the Higher Education Academy.

Hope Against Cancer is a Leicestershire and Rutland charity that in just over five years has raised more than £1.5M for clinical research, much of it at the University of Leicester.

Since its beginnings in 2002 the charity has grown in strength and now funds seventeen cancer researchers in the form of PhD research posts, clinical fellowships, Allison Wilson Fellowships and a nursing fellowship in our local hospitals and universities.

Founded by the late Allison Wilson CBE, following the discovery that she had cancer, the charity was set up to promote clinical trials, with all the benefits these bring to cancer care in the region.

Mrs Wendi Stevens, Co-ordinator for Hope Against Cancer, said: "We are delighted to be part of this new venture with the University of Leicester. Hope is primarily a local cancer research fundraising charity, but we also recognise the need for young people to understand the impact life styles can have on health. Its our young people who will be tomorrows scientists and doctors and we want to be part of encouraging them to understand and be excited by cutting edge research.

The Cancer Awareness Evening takes place on Wednesday 11th March, from 6-9pm and is by invitation only. More details are available from Professor Annette Cashmore, University of Leicester GENIE CETL, email genie@le.ac.uk; or from Mrs Wendi Stevens, Hope Against Cancer, tel 0116 270 0101, email enquiries@hfcr.org.