A conversation at a national leukaemia event led to Dr Paul Cahalin, Consultant Haematologist, striking up a momentous agreement with Booths Supermarket to fund a Cure Leukaemia research nurse based at his hospital trust.
The partnership will see Booths raise a minimum of £100,000 over two years through across a range of fundraising initiatives to benefit blood cancer patients across Lancashire and Cumbria. Booths have launched a major fundraising drive for Cure Leukaemia in preparation of this summer’s epic London to Paris cycle ride that will see 11 Booths colleagues cycle 300 miles over 4 days from London to Paris, raising vital funds for charity. Cyclists include ex-footballer Geoff Thomas, a patron for Cure Leukaemia who was treated for the disease some years ago and who visited Blackpool to see the haematology facilities for himself.
The deal pledges at least £50,000 annually for at least two years to continue the research work spearheaded by Dr Cahalin and his team. Consultant haematologist Dr Cahalin has a long history of work in this area, having enrolled many patients on the AML (acute myeloid leukaemia) 17 and 19 trials here some years ago. Research has been an active specialism at Blackpool for over 25 years.
Booths MD Nigel Murray said “Booths wants to make a difference for the local communities. Working with the haematology team at Blackpool hospital, not far from where the very first Booths store opened in 1847, is a way of giving back to the locality that has supported our business. The work of the leukaemia centre in Blackpool is both ground-breaking and resourceful and we are proud to be part of that work.”
Dr Cahalin said “When Nigel and I realised that the customer base for Booths overlaps with Blackpool’s referral catchment area across Lancashire & South Cumbria, we were inspired to team up.
To have the ability to have an exclusively leukaemia-based nurse that is guaranteed for the next two years is wonderful and will not only improve the staffing levels within our research team but will give that security and understanding that leukaemia research is so integral to the work that we do here in Blackpool”.
James McLaughlin, Chief Executive at Cure Leukaemia added, “We are thrilled to be continuing our relationship with Booths and are incredibly excited about increasing Cure Leukaemia’s national footprint further with the addition of Blackpool Hospital. The support of Booths has been invaluable to the charity over the last two years and we can’t thank Nigel, Edwin and the Booths team enough. Dr Cahalin leads an inspiring team who are providing lifesaving support for blood cancer patients across the Lancashire and Cumbria area and we are excited to see what they can achieve over the next two years.”
More information about Cure Leukaemia can be found at www.cureleukaemia.co.uk