Touching Lives - October 2011

Your support has helped further understanding about the causes of premature birth.

Research teams in London and Edinburgh have conducted studies funded by Action Medical Research looking at different proteins and found results that could lead to new treatments

With your help we're funding research into a debilitating genetic disease that affects children’s lungs and airways, making them more susceptible to infection. This work should help provide early diagnosis, something two mothers welcome.

Sickle cell disease, the most common severe genetic disorder in the UK, usually starts to show symptoms when babies are six to nine months old. Diagnosis is complex and expensive so researchers are developing a simpler test for babies.

One man’s gift is funding important research on the genetic cause of childhood blindness. This has given one family some much-needed answers about their young son’s condition. 

Little Jack proudly names the colours on the pages while his mum reads a book to him, just like any other toddler learning his way in the world. But to mum Sally it’s a miracle as Jack was born blind.

Action’s cycling ambassador Chris Boardman MBE joined participants at the third annual RIDE24 event in June, which was supported by IG Markets, the leading provider of Contracts for Difference.

Almost 50 teams and some solo cyclists pedalled through the night braving heavy showers to see who could travel furthest in 24 hours – while raising vital funds to help sick babies and children.
 

Our patron, HRH The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, hosted a drinks reception for 150 specially invited guests at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in August. Attendees included some of the best medical researchers working in Scotland.

The event saw the launch of our 60th anniversary fundraising initiative, which aims to raise extra funds for new Scotland-based projects over the next five years.

Action Medical Research has a proud history of funding research that has benefited thousands of babies and their families.

Some of today’s most routine tasks of pregnancy were developed, in part, thanks to funding support from Action Medical Research. For example, all expectant mums in the UK are now routinely advised to take folic acid to help prevent spina bifida in their babies. They’re also given regular ultrasound scans to check their baby’s progress in the womb. These achievements have helped transform birth statistics across the world.

Following our significant contribution to preventing and managing meningitis, Action is funding a new project in Oxford to develop a vaccine for another form of this life-threatening disease.