FUNDRAISERS from across the county have presented researchers at the University of York with a cheque for £4,812 to help fund research into blood cancers.

Inner Wheel clubs throughout Yorkshire have been raising money for the charity Bloodwise over the last 12 months, with fundraising events which have ranged from coffee mornings and raffles to pig races and an Icelandic dinner.

Jennifer Angus, district chairman of the Inner Wheel clubs, chose Bloodwise as the club’s dedicated charity for 2016/17 after a member’s grandson was diagnosed with blood cancer at just 18-months-old.

She said: “Bloodwise’s aim is to ensure that everybody affected by blood cancer survives through ‘the right treatment-for the right person-at the right time’, and with their research partners work tirelessly towards this.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to help in some way.

“Inner Wheel strives to make a difference and I hope that our donation helps towards that aim for Bloodwise.”

All of the money raised throughout Jennifer’s district chairmanship will directly support Bloodwise funded research, which will take place at the University of York.

The aim of the project is to help provide researchers with a detailed picture about the underlying causes of blood cancers, who they can affect and how they can be treated.

The Haematological Malignancy Research Network (HMRN), regularly collects detailed information on all people diagnosed with blood cancer in the Yorkshire region and uses this to provide high quality information about these diseases, providing information that is that is typical of the UK.

Working with doctors and nurses across the study area, HMRN is helping to answer questions about how people respond to particular treatments and which treatments are likely to bring the best outcomes.

Throughout the last year, Jennifer has visited the Inner Wheel clubs within her district to raise awareness of blood cancer and the work of Bloodwise.

Eve Roman is Professor of Epidemiology at the University of York, and said the contribution would be a big help to the project.

Prof Roman said: “We are absolutely delighted to accept this donation and appreciate the time and effort Jennifer and the Inner Wheel group have dedicated to raising this money.

“HMRN was set up in 2004 and is producing evidence to ensure blood cancer patients receive the best possible treatment.

“We plan to use the donation to part-fund a research nurse to work within one of the hospitals in the study area.”

To find out more about HMRN and the Bloodwise charity, go to bloodwise.org.uk/research/hmrn