Conference supports blood cancer patients and carers in Liverpool
A recent conference brought together leading clinical and academic experts from the University of Liverpool, Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, and hospitals across the region to offer support and guidance to patients and carers affected by blood cancer.
Building on the success of the September 2024 event that marked 50 years of blood cancer research in Liverpool, this conference provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to share experiences, connect with specialists, and learn about ongoing research.
The all-day event, attended by more than 120 participants, was made possible thanks to the generous support of Merseyside Against Blood Cancers (MABC) The Bloom Appeal, North West Cancer Research (NWCR), and the Pilkington Charities’ Fund.
The conference, opened by Professor Sonia Rocha, Executive Dean of ISMIB, began with an emphasis on the importance of research in improving patient outcomes and the value of events like this in promoting patient engagement. The event also featured a session hosted by Roger Phillips, broadcaster and Patron of MABC, during which patients shared their personal experiences with blood cancer.
This was followed by a lunchtime concert by the ‘Singme Merseyside choir,’ conducted by Billy Hui (BEM and Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside). In the afternoon, breakout sessions on lymphoma, leukaemia, myeloma, cellular therapies, clinical trials, and supportive care gave patients the opportunity to engage with experts in these fields.
Due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback from delegates, the event will now be held annually, with next year’s meeting scheduled for 13 September 2025 to coincide with Blood Cancer Awareness Month.
In related news, the regional CAR-T cellular therapy service was officially launched at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre on 13 November, following an award of £786,000 from the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Additionally, MABC and NWCR are funding a joint PhD studentship to support ongoing haemato-oncology research within ISMIB's Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine as well as providing patient welfare grants.
PhD student Abigail Clark and Professor Joseph Slupsky at the conference.