APPG on Medical Research summer reception

Left: Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive, Cancer Research UK speaking at the event Right: Fiona MacTaggart MP, member of the APPG on Breast Cancer taking part in photoshoot at the reception to raise awareness of the benefits of medical research

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Medical Research hosted its summer reception to showcase the UK’s excellent medical research base, including the significant contribution made by medical research charities.

MPs and peers heard about the challenges patients, researchers and funders face - especially given the current economic situation in the UK. Parliamentarians were able to meet with a number of researchers whose work is funded by charities, and see posters of their work.

Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK speaking at the event said “The UK has a unique charitable medical research base which spent £935 million on research in 2008/09, and an impressive £4 billion over the last six years.

“Charities fund life-saving research into conditions such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. This research depends on crucial Government support through the Charity Research Support Fund which enables charities to fund innovative and ground-breaking work in universities that other funders are unwilling or unable to fund. It is imperative that this support continues.”

Further information on the Charity Research Support Fund and how it is crucial to funding research projects that are innovative, and often look into issues such as rare diseases, is available here.