Cancer Research Gets Boost From Local Real Estate Company

Cancer Research Gets Boost From Local Real Estate Company

A world leading cancer research programme has received a major boost thanks to a Wellington real estate business.

Just Paterson’s support of the Wellington based Malaghan Institute’s research into a vaccine for the brain cancer Glioblastoma multiforme has just tipped the $200,000 mark, and scientists say the funding is making a difference.

Associate Professor Ian Hermans, who is heading up the programme, says the contribution from Just Paterson has had a massive impact on the Institute’s glioblastoma research, and that progress is being made.

“Glioblastoma multiforme is a highly aggressive brain tumour. The standard treatments are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but the tumour rapidly becomes resistant, and ultimately fatal. Our current research, which the Just Paterson funding is contributing to, is examining whether vaccines can be used to stimulate an immune response to tumour cells in the brain, and whether this approach can be combined effectively with chemotherapy. Our laboratory data suggest that the relationship between the immune system and chemotherapy is very complex, but we are hopeful that opportunities exist to combine the two treatments to provide better outcomes.”

Just Paterson director Ian Paterson, who lost wife and co-founder Sally Paterson to brain cancer in 2009, says the company is committed to working with the Malaghan Institute to develop a vaccine-based therapy for this disease.

“Glioblastoma multiforme is an aggressive and mostly fatal disease and as soon as we heard the Malaghan Institute was researching it, we wanted to be involved.”

Mr Paterson says the $200,000 raised so far has come from a portion of fees on properties sold, fundraising events and community donations.

“We have no intention of stopping here. If we can help stop another family losing a loved one to brain cancer, then of course we’re going to do it.”

Just Paterson has designated October Malaghan Month and will be celebrating its involvement with the Malaghan Institute – as well as giving fundraising another push – throughout the month. Visit www.facebook/justpaterson for details.

ENDS

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