The Relay for Life is underway at the Clickimin Centre in Lerwick.
The biggest Cancer Research UK Fundraiser, which takes place every two years, got underway with a lap completed by cancer survivors.
The event happens every two years and acts as a huge fundraiser for the charity.
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Emergency services are carrying out a medical evacuation at an offshore installation.
READ FULL STORYPlans to build an artificial sports pitch in Lerwick were boosted by £150,000. Communities across Scotland were handed £1.2 million from the sportscotland’s Sport Facilities…
READ FULL STORYRelay For Life fundraisers celebrated last night after it was announced £227,538.69 was raised altogether. The total, which will go towards Cancer Research UK, was…
READ FULL STORYAudiences were treated to more musical talent during the second day of Rising North Festival yesterday (Saturday). A variety of shows took place yesterday to…
READ FULL STORYAt midnight on Saturday the Relay for Life Shetland committee announced the total raisedso far this year – unveiling an amazing £174,868. And with fundraising…
READ FULL STORYHundreds have turned out for the beginning of this year Relay of Life, raising funds for CRUK. It is the first time the Relay got…
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David Spence
Raising money for a good cause is all well and fine, but how much of the £126,000 raised actually goes towards the cause and how much is used for other purposes other than cancer research and development? How much of the money raised for cancer research is not going directly to where it should be or being used as a source for raising money for the organisation going towards the few who may have a very lavish and expensive life style?
Since the charity started in 1902, possibly raising hundreds of millions, how much of a breakthrough has there been in the last 106 years of research and development in providing medicine and treatment for those suffering with cancer (excluding the help the NHS gives) in terms of new medicines, treatment and after care services? Is University research and develop into cancer financed by Cancer Research or by the Government or other sources?
It may have started as a good and worthwhile cause, but I question whether, after 106 years, this is being used for its true purpose or raising money other than Cancer Research?
David Spence
Correction : 116 years.
Haydn Gear
It is a well known fact that those who are in the upper eschelons of many money raising businesses pass off their employers as being charities. The top people are on fat salaries and what do they actually do to warrant such payments ? If ordinary members of the public are prepared to dig deep and give monetary support when they may well not be truly able to do so, it’s a bit galling to know that their chosen charity comes a poor second to the bank balances of some people. A fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work doesn’t appear to be the watchword .
Ali Inkster
There is no money in curing cancer. Expecting the pharmaceutical companies to give up the goose that lays the golden eggs is rather naive.
Brian Smith
As you have often said before, Ali, capitalism is a dead loss.
Ali Inkster
It’s not capitalism Brian
David Spence
Even if a cure for cancer was found, I suspect the pharmaceutical companies would buy and patent the formula or whatever and continue with fooling the public so as the money making scheme could continue to still finance those who profit and benefit mostly from fund raising.
Afterall, a continued supply of fund raising profits are more important than cures.
Helen Erwood
Dear David
Oh dear, you do have a very jaundiced view:
Perhaps I can put another point of view using my own experience?
I work in the pharmaceutical industry, helping charity-funded University groups, small biotech companies and other R&D teams to obtain government approval for clinical trials, and then new licences for cancer treatments.
I am also a cancer survivor and still taking anticancer drugs: I was diagnosed in 2013 and have undergone surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Each of these procedures were developed and optimised from university, charity, and industry collaborations. Sadly, these days, there is insufficient government funding to do all that is needed.
In the 34 years that I have been a medical scientist and regulator, I have seen some inspirational improvements in cancer therapies. The initial research comes from the universities and small spin-off companies, often funded jointly by CRUK and the wider industry. I have absolutely no doubt that without this research, and the treatment that I received, I would be dead now. So I am happy to support CRUK. I see and know of the value of what this charity does on a daily basis.
David Spence
I take onboard your points Helen, and I am pleased the treatment you have received has been positive and successful in alleviated your condition from becoming worse.
My skepticism may be unfounded, but one does question how much influence and positive contribution the charity has in respect to other organisations, government and medical professions as a whole who are also doing their own R & D in finding a cure or other treatments for cancer or after treatment, medication, for people who may still have cancer.
I admit, I may not know enough to gain a clearer picture of the vast amount of R & D which goes into fighting or alleviating the causes of cancer, and I apologize for my ignorance on such a subject. My father passed away having fought Leukemia for over a year, and the treatment and care he received from the NHS I cannot thank enough.
It is, to use a well know word, the holy grail of the medical profession to find a cure from this terrible illness, and one hopes one will be found with the help of CRUK and other associated contributors in their goal.
Haydn Gear
Having read Helen Erwood’s letter, I feel that I should make a further comment.First may I echo David Spence in saying that I am so glad that treatment has saved her from an untimely death. If only such levels of treatment had been available when my wife died from brain cancer aged 38 leaving me and my two children with greatly altered lives —— and they have been. My complaint was definitely not aimed at the excellent work of charities of any persuasion whatsoever. I actually questioned why people “ at the top” hive off very large salaries and why because of what are claimed to be administrative costs, considerable sums of money intended to help desperate people as well as researchers in their work are significantly reduced.
Mr ian Tinkler
The chief executive of Cancer Research UK, Harpal Kumar, earns up to £240,000 a year. That is hard to justify.