Tour of the TAP run for Cure Leukaemia takes place at MFT

Research and Innovation colleagues welcomed James McLaughlin, Chief Executive for Cure Leukaemia, to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), as he ran 14 kilometres (km) across Manchester from The Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to MFT, before setting off for another 14km to raise funds for blood cancer research at Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI).

MFT is one of the 15 centres involved in the Trials Acceleration Programme (TAP) Network – a UK network for blood cancer trials funded by Cure Leukaemia. The Haematology Oncology research team at MRI also benefits from the charity through vital funding towards a research nurse, allowing MFT to connect patients to potentially lifesaving treatments.

Fundraising for the TAP Network takes place in various forms throughout the year including the ‘Tour of the TAP’, an event which sees James run over 200 kilometres in 10 days across the 15 TAP centres during Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September. This year, he is aiming to raise a total of £35,000 in support of the network.

On Wednesday 20 September, despite the afternoon’s typical rainy Manchester weather, the MFT leg of the tour took place. The research haematology team, alongside Dr Iain Mclean, Managing Director for Research and Innovation at MFT, and Professor Jane Eddleston, Joint Group Medical Director, welcomed James to the Nowgen Centre.

After a quick drinks break and a chance to warm up, James set off on his second leg of the day, this time joined by Marios Nikas, Haematology Oncology Research Nurse at MRI, who volunteered to participate in the run to support TAP which MFT joined earlier this year.

Marios Nikas, Haematology Oncology Research Nurse at MRI who laced up his trainers for the run said: “I first met James earlier this year, as part of our introduction to TAP where he provided an insight into the amazing events Cure Leukaemia organises to support UK patients with blood cancer.

“As a keen runner and a Haematology Oncology Research Nurse, I knew I had to support James on the Manchester leg of his Tour of TAP run. There is nothing better than combining one of the things I love to do the most, with supporting such an important and inspirational effort to raise funds for the network. TAP is one of the biggest programmes in the UK that allows all patients with blood cancers to access effective world-class, lifesaving treatments through clinical trials, that otherwise would not be available to them through standard of care pathways.”

Dr Iain McLean, Managing Director for Research and Innovation at MFT said: “It was a pleasure to welcome James to The Nowgen Centre ahead of one of his Manchester legs of the Tour of the TAP. The network connects us to world-class and potentially lifesaving treatments that would otherwise not be available, and we are incredibly pleased to be part of this at MFT. Thank you to both James and Marios for their fantastic fundraising efforts, which will provide funding towards a research nurse and open the door to vital research opportunities for our patients.

“Well done to James and Marios on this great achievement!”

Find out more about Tour of the TAP on the Cure Leukaemia website and find out more about the fundraising efforts and how to support the cause on the JustGiving page.