On Wednesday 10 December, the Cambridge Veterinary School Trust will host a fundraiser for the Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital’s new cancer treatment facility.

The Trust event will be in aid of their HOPE Appeal which is raising money for a new radiotherapy machine (a linear accelerator) which is used to treat animals with cancer.

Cambridge is currently one of only three centres in England that can offer radiotherapy to animal patients, and the only one in Europe that can treat horses and larger animals. The new linear accelerator is identical to those used in human cancer treatment centres. It replaces the original machine acquired second-hand from the NHS in 1991 when the Veterinary School opened the first Cancer Treatment Unit for animals in Europe.

The Veterinary School's linear accelerator treats over 20 animals every week by directing radiation created by fast-moving particles at the cancerous tumours. Radiotherapy is implemented in cases where, due to the location or extent of the tumour, surgery alone would not be effective in removing the cancer.

As many as one in four dogs and one in eight cats are affected by cancer, and it is the leading cause of death in dogs in the UK. The Cancer Therapy Unit has helped over 6,000 animals since its inception, and the new accelerator boasts more powerful doses of radiation along with increased accuracy to provide more effective treatment.
As many as one in five cats and dogs is affected by cancer and replacing the Linear Accelerator is vital if we are to be able to continue to treat our patients and improve and prolong their lives.

The Festival will take place at Michaelhouse (Trinity Street) on 10 December from 6.30 – 9.00pm. The event will include contributions from the theatrical world – including Julia McKenzie and Alex Jennings who you will know from their wonderful performances in Cranford. Julia is also ITV’s new Miss Marple due to be aired in the New Year and Alex played the role of Prince Charles in Stephen Frear’s The Queen.

The musical content will be provided by Brian Kay who is not only a renowned choral conductor but was one of the original King Singers and has worked on a range of radio programmes including Friday Night is Music Night on Radio 2. Brian will be joined by the Classic Buskers – who will inject some sparkle with their ingenious interpretations of the classics – and the A-Cappella Company, a superb quartet of beautiful voices.

Guests will then enjoy a glass or two of wine and festive canapés, kindly provided by the night’s sponsors - Waitrose and Mills & Reeve.

The Trust is now in the final stages of their fundraising appeal and desperately need your support to help raise the final £350k to reach our target.

Tickets are £20 each and available from Katy Berman, Fundraising Executive, University of Cambridge Veterinary School Trust, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES (Cheques to CAMVET).

Pictured: Gordon, a Labrador/retriever cross specially trained by Dogs for the Disabled, was treated at the Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital for an aggressive bone tumour.  Photo credit: Phil Mynott

 

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