Old Firm unite to back battle against cancer

Oct 2 2008 by Andrew Newport, Paisley Daily Express

SCOTLAND skipper Barry Ferguson and his deputy Stephen McManus have urged their Tartan Army Buddies to back their campaign to build a new cancer research centre.

The duo, captains of Rangers and Celtic, have pledged their support to the £10million Beatson Pebble Appeal and have urged Paisley folk to back the campaign and help to beat cancer.

Both halves of the Old Firm are supporting the drive to raise funds to build the Beatson Translational Research Centre, the final element in the creation of the Glasgow Centre for Cancer Research.

But both players are hoping fans of St Mirren and other clubs will join them in backing the appeal too.

The centre, which will be built at the Garscube Estate in Bearsden, will convert basic cancer research into real improvements in treatments.

The captains both attended the official launch to show their support and met up with cancer survivor Lynn Murray, who had treatment for both bone cancer and breast cancer and is heavily involved in fundraising for the new centre.

Rangers skipper Ferguson said: “Cancer affects so many people from all walks of life that anything we can do to tackle it is vitally important. Rangers are right behind this campaign and the fight to treat cancer.”

And McManus added: “We all know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer and we have all seen the pain it causes.

“This new centre will play an important part in helping those who are battling the disease and everyone at Celtic is supporting the Beatson Pebble Appeal. If we work together, we can all help in the fight against cancer.”

The Beatson TRC, which is being developed jointly by the University of Glasgow, the Beatson Institute, Cancer Research UK and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, will be the final part necessary to create the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Scotland.

Lynn Murray said: “The Beatson Translational Research Centre will speed up drug development and ultimately help find a cure.”

Professor Karen Vousden, Director of the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research and Director of the new Glasgow Centre for Cancer Research said: “The new development will play a key role in our ambitions to bring together basic and clinical research, contributing to the creation of a coordinated cancer research centre.

“It will help us develop our discoveries into successful new treatments for cancer patients.”

Professor Alan Rodger, Medical Director of the West of Scotland Cancer Centre said: “We have a unique opportunity to take a huge stride towards better treatment of cancer.”

To donate to the appeal, log on to www.beatsonpebbleappeal.org or call 0141 330 3000.