sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk, Author at Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust

Addenbrooke’s chosen to be specialist organ perfusion centre

Posted on 17 March 202617 March 2026 by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust press release

Addenbrooke’s has today welcomed an announcement it is to become one of the first pilot assessment and recovery centres (ARC) in a bid to boost the number of life-saving organ transplants.

It is one of only 15 hospitals selected by NHS Blood and Transplant as pilot centres to preserve and assess donated organs, so more can be transplanted. If the pilot scheme leads to a full programme, it will enable up to 750 extra lifesaving and life-improving transplants a year – a 19 per cent increase on current activity nationally.

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) will perfuse livers and kidneys and nearby Royal Papworth Hospital will focus on lung perfusion. Together these programmes mean Cambridge, alongside Newcastle upon Tyne, is one of only two pilot centres in the country offering perfusion for all three organs: liver, kidney and lung. This further strengthens the reputation of Cambridge Biomedical Campus as a leading centre for organ transplantation and innovation.

*Inside the perfusion suite at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.*

A dedicated perfusion suite at Addenbrooke’s opened last year and is the first of its kind in the UK. Situated next to main theatres, kidney and livers can be assessed and treated in a specialised environment before transplantation. The suite streamlines the operating process, allowing teams to treat organs immediately and avoids interrupting surgical lists or waiting for an operating theatre to become available – benefitting theatre efficiency and organ preservation.

*Liver being perfused on one of CUH’s perfusion machines. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.*

Perfusion machines work by recreating an environment around the organ that mimics the conditions inside the body into to thinking it is still in the body. A blood-based substance flows through the organ at body temperature, meaning it gets an oxygen supply and can consume nutrients.

Addenbrooke’s multi-visceral transplant lead, Mr Andrew Butler, welcomed the hospital’s ARC status, explaining that perfusion machines provide a greater opportunity to accept multiple organs and match them to recipients. An example was a liver that was perfused for 32 hours before half of it was successfully used to assist a 15-year-old patient.

Mr Butler, who helped pioneer the perfusion technique, said: “Our greatest wish is to honour the gift from the donor by using it to save the life of another person. We are proud to have played a key role in the development of the perfusion machine, since it greatly improves the odds of achieving that goal and we are delighted to be selected as one of the ARC pilot sites.”

CUH honorary consultant surgeon and University of Cambridge Emeritus Professor of Transplantation, Prof Chris Watson, who helped establish the liver perfusion programme, added: “The transplant unit has a very successful programme of organ perfusion which has enabled us to increase the number of liver transplants by a quarter since we started a programme of liver perfusion in 2014.

Pictured with the perfusion machine in 2018 are (from left) ACT CEO Shelly Thake, Professor Sir Roy Calne, Professor Chris Watson and Mr Andrew Butler. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

“This has been made possible not only by surgeons and supporters, but a small army of other specialists comprising perfusionists, theatre nurses, anaesthetists, intensive care staff, operating department practitioners, theatre support workers, the specialist nurses who worked with donors’ families and the transplant coordinators, who play a key role setting everything up. Most importantly, we should never forget the donors and their families, without whom none of this could happen.”

Addenbrooke’s, which performed Europe’s first successful human liver transplant in 1968 led by the late Professor Sir Roy Calne, began routinely perfusing livers in 2018 when it obtained a machine from the Oxford-based company Organox, and Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) launched a £250,000 appeal to pay for vital consumables, required in the early days of the programme. Since then, Organox has lent the Trust a second machine and together they have perfused more than 500 livers.

Pictured outside the perfusion suite are (left to right) Mr Neil Russell, Prof Chris Watson, ACT CEO Shelly Thake, Prof Sarah Hosgood, Prof Mike Nicholson, Mr Andrew Butler and Mr Rohit Gaurav. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

CUH honorary consultant andUniversity of Cambridge Professor of Transplant Surgery Professor Mike Nicholson, and Department of Surgery colleague Professor Sarah Hosgood, a Research Professor, have led on kidney perfusion.

Prof Nicholson said: “Our selection as an ARC pilot centre reflects the hard work and dedication of all colleagues. Of course, we should never forget that the real heroes here are the donors themselves, and their families.”

Prof Hosgood added: “We are very proud of to be selected as an ARC pilot by NHSBT, which will help us build on the excellent results achieved here at Addenbrooke’s.”

ACT CEO Shelly Thake added: “Some of the most advanced medical equipment, like the liver perfusion machine, can only help patients when paired with specialist single-use materials – the crucial ingredients that turn innovation into life-saving impact. This is what every supporter who donated to our £250,000 appeal and continues to support ACT has made possible, and for that we’re incredibly grateful.”

John Richardson, NHSBT assistant director of organ and tissue donation and transplantation, said:“Currently, many organs are declined for transplant as there’s not enough time to know if they function well enough to be safe to transplant.

“In the ARCs pilot, machine perfusion unlocks our ability to better assess an organ’s function and identify if an organ is safe to transplant; organs which could not otherwise be used despite the gift of donation.”

Each year hundreds of people die waiting for a transplant and the potential donor pool is reducing as the population ages. As of the end of January, the national transplant waiting list stood at 8,237 people. Anyone who wants to learn more about organ donation or register their organ donation decision, should visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Every runner has a personal story to tell – says leading hospital charity raising funds for pioneering new cancer hospital in Cambridge

Posted on 18 February 202619 February 2026 by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

A leading hospital charity in the East of England has praised the resilience of its runners in this year’s TTP Cambridge Half Marathon – reminding everyone who comes to cheer on the day that every runner taking part has a personal story to tell.

All of the 210 runners who will be running on behalf of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) on the day are raising funds to help build a pioneering new cancer hospital on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, close to Addenbrooke’s.

As the official hospital charity for Addenbrooke’s, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), funds cutting-edge equipment, specialist staff, extra comforts and vital research to fund potential cures and help save lives, above and beyond what the NHS can provide.

The Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital (CCRH) is a first for the East of England and will bring world-leading research and clinical excellence under one roof, changing the story of cancer, and improving the lives of cancer patients across the UK and beyond.

Built over seven floors, the new hospital will house three world-leading University of Cambridge research institutes focussing on early detection, integrated cancer medicine and precision breast cancer medicine to accelerate and bring new innovations to the bedside faster, detect cancer earlier and treat it more precisely.

Praising the charity’s runners for their resilience, ACT’s Head of Community Fundraising, Donna Lee-Willis, said: “Every single one of our runners in this year’s half marathon has a story to tell of resilience and determination – about why they are running and what they, or their loved ones, have been through to bring them to where they are today. It has been incredibly moving hearing all their stories and why they are motivated to raise money for ACT to help raise funds to build the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital in the city where this special event takes place.”

“The difference the hospital will make to the region, and beyond, is enormous – and we want everyone to get behind our runners not just by donating but also by coming along on the day to show their support and love and help get them across the finishing line.”

Among ACT’s TTP Cambridge Half Marathon runners this year is mother-of-two Sunita Mena, from Essex, who underwent a lifesaving liver transplant following acute liver failure. Sunita, who had been fit and healthy up until a few days before, later learnt her condition was brought on by two overlapping autoimmune conditions.

Unable to breathe following surgery, Sunita was given a tracheostomy – and had to re-learn how to walk, talk, eat and drink after the operation. Whilst recovering and undertaking regular physio and speech therapy sessions, Sunita was diagnosed with cancer and remarkably it was during her treatment that Sunita decided to sign up for this year’s half.

Talking about why she wanted to take part, Sunita said: “This for me is not ‘just a half marathon’. It’s a deeply personal way to honour a second chance at life, raise awareness of organ donation and support a future where cancer care improves the lives of many. This half marathon is my way of giving back, and in honour of my donor and her family, my fellow transplantees, cancer warriors and their families, and everyone facing health challenges along their journey.”

Although she finds it difficult to talk about her donor, Sunita says:

“Because of the selfless gift of my donor, I get to lace up my trainers and take part in this race. On the day — as with every day — she will be in my thoughts, every mile of the way. Her life may have been cut short, but her legacy lives on. There will be two of us on race day – and we will do this together.”

Running for the second year in a row is Chris Doughty, 47, from Elmswell in Suffolk who is keen to raise money for the new cancer hospital after his son, Oli, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia back in 2018 when he was just 10 years old and treated at Addenbrooke’s. (Oli is pictured with dad Chris, and when younger with brother Tom below)

In a cruel twist of fate, Chris and his wife, Claire, found out Oli had leukaemia whilst supporting their close friends, Garry and his wife, Lisa, who were going through the same journey after their daughter, Arlea, then 11, had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia a year earlier.

The two men, whose friendship spans over 20 years after meeting in the prison service where they both work, ran the Cambridge half for ACT last year, along with Chris’s wife Claire, Chris’ daughter Lottie, now 22, and son Tom, now 25. Together they raised over £6,000 for the new cancer hospital.

Although it is just Chris running this year, both men want to use their experiences to raise awareness of childhood cancer and to champion the new cancer hospital and the innovative new treatments and specialist facilities that it will offer – something that Garry has experienced himself after Arlea relapsed back in 2024.

Garry said even with only five years between Arlea finishing her treatment and her second cancer diagnosis, he could see how much treatments for cancer patients like Arlea had progressed. The now 20-year-old received genetic mapping as part of her second treatment and whilst she wasn’t able to undergo immunotherapy treatment, she received a progressive treatment called Car-T therapy and later underwent a bone marrow transplant thanks to a donor from Germany.

Describing childhood cancer as a “whole world you don’t want to be exposed to”, Garry said the care that Arlea had received at Addenbrooke’s had been “second to none.”

“I think we’re lucky to be living where we are, that we’ve got Addenbrooke’s, so you think to yourself, anything that we can do, whether it’s just buying a bit of kit, anything really, to try and ease that pressure to make that ambition of a new cancer hospital become a reality, then we’ve got to give it a go and try and do what we can do.”

Chris, who is hoping to beat his time from last year, added: “When you’re talking about tablets costing £5,000 it feels like a drop in the ocean but every pound makes a real difference, and we are very, very fortunate to have Addenbrooke’s so just to be able to feel like you’re doing something, that’s the reason I am running.”

Both Garry and Sunita say they are now huge advocates of the new cancer hospital – Garry because he has seen the huge advancements in cancer treatments in the years between Arlea’s two treatments and Sunita because as a transplant patient, she will always be more vulnerable to cancer because of the immunosuppressants.

“Organ transplant recipients face a higher risk of developing cancer because the immunosuppressive medication needed to protect the transplanted organ also reduces the body’s ability to detect and fight abnormal cells. This makes early detection, specialist care, and ongoing research especially important for people like me.”

Other runners supporting ACT and raising money for the new hospital include an orthopaedic consultant, a professor from the Early Cancer Detection Institute, a mum whose son was diagnosed with cancer at a very young age and was treated at Addenbrooke’s as well as a runner diagnosed with a rare condition called Addison’s Disease. He hopes to raise awareness around the condition where the body isn’t able to produce the vital hormones needed to cope with everyday stress, exercise and living in general. He is running to thank the staff at Addenbrooke’s who helped save his life after he collapsed at home. His girlfriend gave him CPR until the ambulance crew arrived.

Last year, ACT’s 200 runners raised an impressive £150,000, with Donna adding, “This year we have 210 runners supporting ACT – and we would be over the moon if we could raise even more money this year for a hospital that will make a real difference to so many lives in the region, across the UK and globally too.”

The new hospital is a benchmark for the Government’s ten-year plan for cancer announced earlier this month, which focuses on innovation, early detection and precision treatment – areas that ACT already invests heavily in.

Shelly Thake, Chief Executive, at ACT said: “Last week’s announcement around the Government’s new ten-year plan around cancer aligns strongly with the vision our supporters have been helping us deliver for years. A significant amount of what we do is directly addressed in the plan – funding pioneering early detection, seed funding a groundbreaking personalised breast cancer programme and providing access to clinical trials for children with cancer.”

“Nothing sums up our commitment to the ambitions of the new plan more than our fundraising for the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital. The ambitions of the plan are in the very DNA of the new hospital, and we are proud to be part of this year’s TTP Cambridge Half Marathon, helping to raise funds for patient care across the region and beyond.”

“We are grateful to all our 210 runners taking part on the day and will be there at the start and finish line, and at our cheer point in St John’s College, cheering them on.”

Described as one of the UK’s bucket-list races, the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon attracts runners from across the UK because of its scenic route through the historic streets of Cambridge, taking in the colleges of Cambridge University – cheered on by one of the most supportive communities of fellow runners and crowds in the UK.

You can read Sunita’s full story here and Chris, Oli’s, Garry and Arlea’s story here.

To donate to Sunita’s fundraising page, click here.

To donate to Chris’s fundraising page, click here.

To donate to the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, please click here.

Both their stories feature on ACT’s radio show, ACT’s Amazing People, on the episode airing Sunday 22 March at midday. All episodes of ACT’s Amazing People can also be found here on our website.

ACT calls on people to ‘join our docs in festive socks’ – with the launch of a new festive, feel-good fundraiser

Posted on 14 November 202514 November 2025 by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

A leading hospital charity in the East of England is launching its first festive fundraiser – aimed at including as many hospital staff as possible.

Launching its Festive Sock Day on Thursday 4^th December, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), whose supporters help fund cutting-edge equipment and pioneering research that brings huge advancements in patient care, said they wanted to introduce a festive fundraiser that hospital staff could take part in.

Explaining why the focus is on Christmas socks and not jumpers, Bec Beattie, Public Campaign and Event Manager for ACT, said: “We know that nursing staff aren’t able to wear Christmas Jumpers, but they CAN wear Christmas socks.”

“Festive Sock Day is a fun and easy way for people to support Addenbrooke’s. Hospital staff, schools, businesses, members of the public – everyone can jump on board for this annual festive event, launching this year – and best of all, it’s really easy to take part.”

Hospital staff are jumping at the chance to get festive – with the Imaging Department already signed up to take part in the Festive Sock fundraiser. Other departments keen to don their festive socks include the hospital’s Pathology department as well as Pharmacy.

Schools and education organisations that have signed up so far include Pathfinder CofE School in Ely; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Teaching School Hub; Chesterton Primary School; St John’s CofE Primary School in Huntingdon; On Track Education in Mildenhall and Spinney Primary School in Cherry Hinton.

Ruby Grimwood, PA to the Pathology Directorate at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, said: “Christmas socks with a lab coat helps bring a splash of colour to a serious environment.”

“In Pathology, it is important for us to keep a sterile and clean environment when handling patient samples, but also to protect ourselves from any hazardous materials. This means that we all have to wear lab coats to avoid contamination and keep ourselves safe. Christmas socks are a great way for the team to show some festive spirit and add some colour to our labs whilst still keeping up with our uniform standards.”

Businesses can also join in – and just like hospital staff, ACT’s Festive Sock Day allows businesses who might not normally be able to wear Christmas jumpers to take part in a bit of festive fun too.

One of ACT’s Corporate Partners, Cambridge Commodities in Ely, has already signed up – with lots of fun, fundraising activities planned throughout the day.

CEO James Stevens said: “Cambridge Commodities staff love Christmas and they love Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust!”

“In the past we have handed out daffodils to the hard-working staff and every year we raise money so that every patient receives a Christmas present on Christmas morning. Sadly, as a high quality, food-grade facility a lot of our staff are unable to wear festive jumpers due to how comfortable they are combined with PPE so we were so excited to see that ACT was launching a Festive Sock Day! What a wonderful idea to have a fully inclusive day where every member of staff can join in, don some festive colour whilst supporting a great cause.”

Asked what their plans were for the day, James said: “A few games will be played, maybe a three-legged sock race, maybe a sock-based dance-off… We will definitely have prizes for the greatest pair. It’s great to involve everyone in giving back at CC where our core pillars are family, friendly and fun. This year we will be proud to spread warmth and joy, one sock at a time!”

In January this year, James’ company became ACT’s first corporate partner to raise over half a million for the charity, after celebrating their seven-year partnership – raising a total, at the time, of £561,810. The company continues to fundraise for ACT and will once again this year buy and wrap Christmas presents for every patient in Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie on Christmas Day.

Anyone feeling inspired to ‘Join your Docs in Festive Socks’ can sign up now.

It’s quick and easy to do and all you need to take part is a sense of fun and a pair of festive socks!

Bec Beattie said: “All you need to do is ‘join your docs in festive socks’, sign up on our sign up page and make a small donation – and sit back safe in the knowledge that you have helped to make Addenbrooke’s even better for our patients, their families and the brilliant people that care for us all every day.”

“Don’t forget to send us your photos and tag Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust in on all your socials. We can’t wait to see who will come up with the jazziest socks!”

Addenbrooke’s begins innovative liver cancer treatment for first NHS patients in Europe

Posted on 22 October 202516 December 2025 by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Addenbrooke’s has become the first hospital in Europe to deliver histotripsy treatment to a patient outside of a clinical trial, after being fast-tracked by the Government – marking a major milestone in NHS cancer care.

Whilst funding for the multi-million-pound system was made possible by a generous donation from the Li Ka Shing Foundation, the consultant who fought to bring the system to the UK has thanked Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) for helping to get the project over the finishing line by providing funding for the first 33 patients to be treated on the NHS.

The pioneering procedure which uses ultrasound energy to destroy tumours took place at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where a patient from Bedford became the first person in Europe to undergo the incisionless treatment for liver cancer.

*Dr See and the Addenbrooke’s theatre team using a degassed water bath to transmit the focused ultrasound waves to the tumour area*. *Credit: Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH)*

Histotripsy uses focused sound waves to generate microscopic “bubble clouds” from naturally occurring gases present in targeted tumour tissues. The bubbles form and collapse in microseconds, creating mechanical forces that destroy cancer cells without the need for surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. With treatment taking as little as 30 minutes and usually with minimal or no pain, patients can recover quickly and spend less time in hospital, with treatment performed as a day case.

Dr Teik Choon See, consultant interventional radiologist at Addenbrooke’s, led the procedure. “Histotripsy represents a major and exciting step forward in cancer treatment,” said Dr See. “It allows us to target tumours more precisely while sparing surrounding healthy tissue, offering patients a safer and faster alternative to traditional therapies.

“What is even more promising is in some reported cases, after the sound waves break apart the tumour, the patient’s immune response may become activated and clear up some remaining cancerous tissues, showing real hope for patients.”

Thanking ACT supporters who helped clear the path for the first 33 patients to receive the treatment, Dr See said getting the project off the ground would have been ‘tricky and challenging’ without the charity’s funding, adding: “It actually helped tremendously to complete the deal and also enabled us to do cases for the NHS patients.”

Whilst this pioneering treatment is new to the UK and Europe, it is already being used in the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong, with the treatment expanding to Singapore.

Shelly Thake, Chief Executive at ACT, said: “I’m so proud that ACT, thanks to our generous supporters, has been able to play an important role in bringing this pioneering and life-saving new treatment not only to Addenbrooke’s, but to the UK and Europe. Histotripsy gives hope to many cancer patients who now have a new, non-invasive treatment option, and builds on the already incredible work being carried out here at Addenbrooke’s by world-leading clinicians and researchers who are changing the story of cancer through early diagnosis, personalised treatment, and pioneering new equipment and techniques. ACT is proud to be playing a part in making this possible, and we’re grateful beyond words to our supporters.”

Roger Jackson, 80, from Bedford, the first patient in Europe to be treated using Histotripsy, said: “I feel privileged to be the first NHS patient and to receive this care was an amazing experience. It is impressive to think that sound waves can treat cancer, without the need for patients like me to go through intensive surgery, at what already is a stressful time. I’m hugely grateful to the team at Addenbrooke’s for their specialist care and expertise.”

***Roger Jackson from Bedford, the first NHS patient to receive histotripsy at CUH, outside a trial setting***. ***Credit: Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH)***

After treatment last week, Mr Jackson was discharged the following day and is back at home. He said he is now looking forward to spending time with his family, including his sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The installation of the Edison Histotripsy System at Addenbrooke’s was made possible by a generous donation to the University of Cambridge from the Li Ka Shing Foundation, a long-standing supporter of cancer research in Cambridge. The technology, developed by US-based HistoSonics, has already treated over 2,000 patients worldwide following the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for the destruction of liver tumours in 2023.

Roger Jackson’s treatment is the first histotripsy procedure to take place after the equipment was granted Unmet Clinical Need Authorisation (UCNA) in Great Britain enabling time-limited, controlled early access to the Histotripsy device under the UK’s Innovative Devices Access Pathway (IDAP) pilot programme. Overseen by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the UCNA enables early market access to the medical device under certain conditions prior to full regulatory approval, meaning NHS patients can benefit from technology years earlier than planned.

With patient funding from ACT, treatment is initially being offered to selected patients with tumours from primary and secondary liver cancers. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is exploring initiatives to fund research into the clinical and cost-effectiveness of histotripsy. Further studies are underway to explore its use in other cancer types.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “This marks the beginning of a new generation in cancer treatment. We are lighting the fuse beneath the technological revolution, transforming care for NHS patients.

“By slashing red tape, we’ve made sure this game-changing new cancer treatment has reached the NHS front line quicker, and I’m proud to say British patients are now the first in Europe to benefit.

“This government has streamlined approval processes to create an NHS fit for the future – protecting patients while unleashing the full potential of our scientists and NHS staff so they can deliver world-class care.”

Roland Sinker, chief executive of CUH, said: “Histotripsy represents a hugely exciting and new era of cancer innovation and care.

“With faster recovery times and shorter hospital stays, this not only reduces the strain on our hospital beds, but it also frees up surgeons to focus on the more complex cancer cases, helping to cut waiting times.

“We are delighted to be at the forefront of this new ground-breaking technology and understanding how we can treat cancer more accurately and precisely, a position we aim to strengthen further with our planned Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.”

The specialist hospital, set to be built on Europe’s largest life science campus, the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, is a partnership between Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge. By bringing world-leading scientists and clinical expertise together in one NHS building, the new hospital will treat patients across the East of England and will accelerate research and innovations to change the story of cancer across the UK and beyond. Find out more here.

ACT is the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and funds cutting-edge equipment, specialist staff, extra comforts and vital research above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide and is raising money to help build both the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and the Cambridge Children’s Hospital.

Click here to donate.

Treatment for Histotripsy

Addenbrooke’s is currently setting up a referral pathway, so the histotripsy technology can be made available to patients at Addenbrooke’s and beyond. External referrals will be considered through a consultant referral, and suitability for the treatment will be decided by medical teams based on the cancer location, size, extent and overall patient’s fitness.

No other provider is offering histotripsy in the UK at the moment.

We recommend patients speak to their consultant if they have any questions about being referred for treatment. If you already have a referral, and have further questions for the Cambridge team, please email cuh.histotripsyenquiries@nhs.net.

Leading hospital consultant thanks ACT supporters for providing same-day diagnosis for kidney cancer patients and halving waiting times

Posted on 15 October 20259 April 2026 by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

A leading consultant at Addenbrooke’s Hospital has thanked Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust for bringing another ‘first’ not just to Cambridge but to the UK too – helping to pioneer an ultra-fast way of diagnosing kidney cancer and cutting waiting times between when they were first referred and a decision being made about their treatment, by a month.

In an exciting new development, supporters of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), the official charity for Addenbrooke’s Hospital, helped fund a new piece of equipment known as a confocal microscope, which provides high resolution images of tissue samples, meaning that for the first time ever in the UK, patients with suspected kidney cancer can have a biopsy, receive a diagnosis and discuss treatment options – all on the same day.

A team of urologists, radiologists, pathologists and specialist nurses at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH), which governs Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, are using the microscope to diagnose biopsy samples in the clinic within minutes – reducing anxiety, cutting the number of hospital visits and allowing patients to begin treatment sooner.

A biopsy is often needed to determine if a lump or mass on the kidney is malignant. However, standard pathology analysis takes time to process, leaving patients potentially waiting weeks for cancer to be confirmed or ruled out, but with this new pioneering method, patients receive a diagnosis and discuss treatment options on the same day.

The £250,000 confocal microscope, which was funded by Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) and the University of Cambridge, looks much like an office printer or scanner. More often used in dermatology, it provides high resolution images of tissue samples so once a sample is stained and scanned by the confocal microscope, pathologists at the kidney clinic can make an immediate diagnosis.

Professor Grant Stewart, consultant urologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Professor of Surgical Oncology at the University of Cambridge said: “For the first time in the UK, we are using a confocal microscope in this innovative way to benefit patients. Offering same day diagnosis helps reduce anxiety, cuts down on hospital appointments and means patients can have that all-important discussion with their doctor about treatment options significantly sooner.”

In research published today in European Urology Oncology, cancer waiting times for patients at the one-stop kidney Clinic, or CkOSMIC – the Cambridge kidney One-Stop Mass Investigation Clinic as it is known – were more than halved; cutting average waiting times by a month.

Patients on the typical multi-appointment pathway waited 55 days between first being referred and a decision being made about treatment, while patients at the one-stop kidney clinic waited just 25 days.

The majority of funding provided by ACT came from money left to the charity in supporters’ wills.

ACT is the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and funds cutting-edge equipment, specialist staff, extra comforts and vital research above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide. Now in its 30^th year, the charity’s supporters have donated more than £150 million towards supporting innovation in patient care.

Thanking ACT supporters for their help funding this groundbreaking new approach, Professor Stewart said: “For Addenbrooke’s Hospital to be able to take the lead on this as the first hospital in the UK to have this cutting-edge microscope is monumental and down to the kind donations of everyone who has supported our wonderful hospital charity, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. What patients at the hospital may not realise is that, without the support of ACT and everyone who donates to our amazing charity, we simply would not have the funds to buy innovative equipment or fund vital research here at Addenbrooke’s – and that is where we really excel, by bringing ‘firsts’ to Cambridge that save lives.”

“By donating to ACT, supporters look set to change the future practice of kidney cancer diagnosis with The Cambridge Kidney One Stop Mass Investigation Clinic (CKOSMIC) project– not just here, but across the UK too.”

“To know that the majority of the funding from ACT in this instance comes from money left to the charity in people’s wills is incredibly humbling and as a consultant it is incredibly satisfying to be able to share with the families of these kind donors just what a difference their money has made, and will continue to make in months and years to come.”

Shelly Thake, Chief Executive at ACT, said: “I hope everyone reading this story and who has kindly donated to Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust feels justly proud of the extraordinary impact this project is having, because this life saving project has been made possible because of them. This incredible piece of equipment, and the clinic that Grant has set up, is the perfect example of why ACT is here, to work with amazing clinicians and make possible their ideas that change and save lives. This project gives us a glimpse of what will be possible when the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital is built – brilliant clinicians and pioneering research delivering early diagnoses and personalised treatment to change the story of cancer.”

Claire Billing, Director of Fundraising at ACT, said: “The confocal microscope that has made this clinic possible has been paid for through gifts in wills – thousands of lives will be saved, and families touched, because these kind-hearted supporters took the decision to remember Addenbrooke’s in their wills, and wanted to make this wonderful hospital even better for future patients. This makes me proud beyond words. We take great pride in sharing with our supporters the real difference their support makes, and I hope everyone reading this who has thought about leaving a gift in their will feels inspired by the impact their future gift could make.”

Researchers compared the confocal microscope results with standard pathology tests and found the diagnoses made using the confocal microscope were both accurate and reliable. There was a 91.7% match between the diagnoses made using the confocal microscope and final pathology. In the other 8.3% of cases, the diagnoses agreed but the cancer subtype was uncertain.

Crucially, out of 48 patients evaluated in the study, none of the treatment plans made on the day at the one-stop clinic needed to be changed after their formal biopsy pathology analysis was completed.

While the confocal microscope is not intended to replace standard pathology tests – as they provide additional details like the cancer grade – the accuracy of the diagnoses made using the confocal microscope means clinicians can confidently discuss results and treatment options with patients much earlier.

Another advantage of the clinic is pathologists can instantly assess if a biopsy has been successful, if there is enough tissue to make a diagnosis, or if a second one is required. Four patients in the study were identified as needing a repeat biopsy which took place on the same day, without needing to wait and return to hospital at a later date for another appointment.

There was positive feedback from patients in the study, with 96% surveyed saying they had enough time to ask questions and consider treatment options on the day. Clinicians also supported offering a same-day diagnosis and would like to see it used more widely with 100% of urologists and pathologists agreeing the approach is suitable for initial diagnosis and treatment planning.

CkOSMIC sees two patients in each clinic, twice a week – seeing 4 patients a week and around 150 patients a year.

Prof Stewart, who is national lead for the Getting It Right First Time ideal pathway for kidney cancer and clinical director of the National Kidney Cancer Audit, helped develop new kidney cancer guidelines for NICE which recommend that more patients with suspected cancer should have a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis sooner, to treat their disease more effectively.

Prof Stewart hopes the one-stop kidney clinic approach could become standard care for renal tumour biopsies. There is also the potential for the approach to be applied to other cancers in the future.

The kidney clinic was influenced by work underway on service improvement and transformation as part of the development plans for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital. The planned hospital will bring together clinical excellence and world-leading research under one roof, accelerating new innovations to help detect cancer earlier, meaning better outcomes for patients.

Click here to contribute towards future funding of cutting-edge equipment and groundbreaking research at Addenbrooke’s.

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CASE STUDY

Ken Pottle, 63, visited the one-stop clinic in March after a scan for an unrelated condition showed a lump on his kidney. Following a biopsy and diagnosis of cancer, the semi-retired civil servant from Bury St Edmunds opted for thermal ablation, a treatment that uses heat to destroy tumours. Following treatment in April, he was given the all-clear a couple of weeks ago. Mr Pottle says he would not hesitate to recommend the kidney clinic.

Mr Pottle said: “I’m a very pragmatic person, so knowing I had a treatment plan in place helped me process my cancer diagnosis. Waiting to find out if you have cancer can be incredibly worrying. When I heard about the one-stop kidney clinic, I thought “wow, what a fantastic idea.” The fact that I could have a biopsy, receive a diagnosis and talk through treatment options with my doctor there and then, all on the same day, made such a difference.

Mr Pottle, who has five children and two grandchildren added: “Five months on from my treatment, I’ve now been given the all-clear. I’m back at work and enjoying life, spending time with my children and grandchildren, and getting back on my motorbike. The whole process has been brilliant.”

Photos: Copyright Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH)

ACT thanks its Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Regional Fundraiser of the Year nominee – we couldn’t be prouder of you Liza!

Posted on 22 September 202523 September 2025 by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

She may not have gone through to the finals – but we couldn’t be more proud of her!

Liza Putwain, our nominee for this year’s ITV Anglia’s Regional Fundraiser of the Year, may not have gone through to the finals of this year’s Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards 2025 – but we couldn’t be prouder of her and everything she has achieved!

As one of only four stories to be put through from the hundreds originally nominated, Liza Putwain’s story talks of resilience and strength – and thinking of others whilst battling life’s challenges herself.

In true Liza style, our amazing fundraiser from Suffolk contacted the winners from her region, Anglia East, to congratulate them on going through to next month’s Daily Mirror Pride of Britain finals telling them she was glad they won.

Shelly Thake, Chief Executive of the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), described 45-year-old Liza Putwain as ‘truly special’ and thanked her for everything she has done for the hospital charity.

“She may not have got through to the finals but as a charity we could not be prouder of everything Liza and her family have achieved. As is evident from hearing Liza’s family, friends, and Mark, her surgeon, and meeting her several times myself, she is a truly special person and inspiration to her family and everyone she encounters.”

Judges in this year’s ITV Anglia’s Regional Fundraiser of the Year Awards chose Liza as one of four nominees out of hundreds after reading her extraordinary story, saying: “Her kindness and care for others shone through in her nomination.”

Liza’s emotional story struck a chord with judges and was broadcast last week as one of four stories from the Anglia East region, which covers Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. The winner was announced on Friday and will go through to the finals in London next month.

Liza, 45, a mother of three, broke her neck whilst taking part in an obstacle course in memory of her husband, Ian, who had died very suddenly after contracting a virus that all the family had had.

Following the accident in September 2023, Liza, a film studies teacher at Abbeygate Sixth Form College in Bury St Edmunds, was originally taken to Ipswich Hospital where she was told she had broken her neck and had suffered damage to her spinal cord. Not knowing if she would ever walk again, she was later transferred to Addenbrooke’s for her surgery and spent a month recovering in hospital.

Unable to move from her neck down, Liza had to rely on medical staff to do everything for her, from sitting her up in bed to prevent bed sores to scratching her nose to helping her into the shower and going to the toilet.

Apart from being terrified she might never walk again, Liza, a fiercely independent person, found it hard having to rely on others – but said it was her own personal experience of being in hospital that made her realise just how amazing staff are at Addenbrooke’s.

“You feel very infantilised because you have to ask someone to help you go to the toilet and wait until somebody’s ready to give you a shower. Particularly when you can’t get out of bed, and you press a button, but you have to wait. I know the NHS is overstretched but it’s not until you are actually in that bed that you realise that.”

As a result of her experiences, Liza decided to fundraise for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), the official hospital charity for Addenbrooke’s and stunned surgeons by running the London Marathon earlier this year – just over a year and a half after her accident.

ACT is the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and funds high-tech equipment, specialist staff, extra comforts and vital research above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide. This year the charity celebrates its 30^th year – and has revealed that in the first 30 years alone its supporters have donated more than £150 million towards supporting innovation in patient care.

Talking about why Addenbrooke’s is so special to her and why she wanted to fundraise for ACT to give something back to the hospital, Liza said: “I love Addenbrooke’s. It’s weird because you could go one way or another, and you could be like, I never want to see that hospital again, but I feel so safe here.”

In last week’s emotional piece, on-screen reporter Andy Ward filmed Liza at home with her sister, Jo, and best friends Jo and Pennie – who helped look after Liza’s three young children – Ella, 18; Sophie, 14; and her son Charlie, 11 – whilst she was in hospital and were there for her during her recovery.

Andy also interviewed Liza’s surgeon, Professor Mark Kotter, a neurosurgeon at Addenbrooke’s (pictured below) who was visibly moved during the interview when talking about Liza and her recovery, showing just how close the bond can be between patients and surgeons.

Shelly Thake, Chief Executive at ACT, congratulated Liza on her nomination and said: “Every single day at ACT, we get to hear amazing stories from our fundraisers – often very moving and inspirational stories about how they got to be involved in fundraising for Addenbrooke’s through our charity. Sometimes, however, there’s a really exceptional story that stops you in your tracks – and Liza’s is one of those.”

“I can’t imagine what it must have been like to have gone through what she has gone through – losing her husband unexpectedly after a brief illness and having to navigate that as a family with her three young children, then only to break her neck in a freak accident eight months later and not knowing if she would ever walk again or not. To go through all that and then get up and run the London Marathon the following year… Liza really is a true inspiration for all of us and someone who fully deserved her nomination.”

ITV Anglia’s Regional Fundraiser of the Year special was judged by former Olympian and discus champion Bill Tancred; ITV Anglia presenter David Whiteley and ITV Anglia’s Head of News Emma Baker.

Bronwen Brown, who produced the channel’s Regional Fundraiser of the Year special, said when choosing which of their fundraisers were picked for the special, and which ones later went through to the finals, judges were looking for “a fantastic fundraiser who has selflessly raised money for an amazing cause.”

“Liza was shortlisted as one of the finalists for the regional show because her story is incredible. She has gone through multiple hardships and still thinks about others before herself, raising thousands for ACT. Her kindness and care for others shone through in her nomination.”

Nominees from the Anglia East region who went through to the finals of next month’s Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards were parents Amanda and Jon Sheehy who lost their daughter Amber to a brain tumour in 2023, an hour before her ninth birthday. The couple founded Amber’s Army, raising over £250,000 to help create memories for families with children who have been diagnosed with cancer.

ACT’s Chief Executive Shelly Thake speaking with Liza

Click here to watch Liza’s story again along with the other three nominees from the region, including Amanda and Jon Sheehy.

The finalist in the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards 2025 will be announced on the night, with the show broadcast live on ITV.

This year is now the second year running that some of our fundraisers have been nominated for ITV Anglia’s Regional Fundraiser of the Year. Last year, we had two nominees in both the East and West region, David Bateson and Joyce Cripps. To read their story, click here.

Teams at this year’s Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival smash last year’s fundraising with £40,000 for the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital

Posted on 16 September 20252 December 2025 by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Teams taking part in this year’s 2025 Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival have done it again – beating last year’s fundraising total to raise an impressive £40,000 for the new Cambridge Cancer Hospital (CCRH).

Thanking everyone who took part – from teams of rowers to volunteers who helped on the day, to friends and families and members of the public who came along to watch – Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust’s Head of Community Fundraising, Donna Lee-Willis described Saturday’s event as “brilliant.”

“It was such a great atmosphere, and I thought all the races were really close this year. When you are watching, you really can’t call some of them, especially in the final – which was great.”

A total of 43 teams and around 600 competitors – including a last-minute entry from ACT after one team dropped out and donated their boat to the charity – raced 30ft Dragon Boats up a 200-metre stretch of river at Fen Ditton, with a novice team claiming first place this year.

The ‘Rowfessors’ from Illumina dressed as mad professors

Many of the teams dressed up for the annual event, organised by NewWave Events for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) and sponsored for the second year running by Illumina to raise money for the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital (CCRH).

The new specialist hospital for the East of England is bringing world-leading research and clinical excellence together, to change the story of cancer, and improve the lives of cancer patients across the UK and beyond.

Praising teams for their fundraising, Donna said: “Everyone that took part said there was a connection to the cancer hospital in some way or another and I definitely think this helped everyone get behind the fundraising, knowing what they were fundraising for.”

As well as the races, bankside entertainment included lion dances and Tai Chai displays from the Cambridge Chinese community, with family-friendly entertainment provided by Illumina, including strawberry DNA extraction and dragon chain making. There was also a caricature artist as well as face painting – with live coverage and interviews on the day from Cambridge Radio presenters Gavin Richards and Fen Orr Ewing, with print coverage from the Cambridge Independent.

ACT staff were also there on the day, running a Guess the Dog’s name competition (Biscuit!), hook a duck and a prize raffle.

A highlight of the day included a flypast from a 1945 Lancaster Bomber – the UK’s only surviving flying Bomber, nicknamed ‘Thumper’ – which flew over the river before circling back round a couple of times to dip its wings to the waiting crowds.

Donna said other memorable moments from the festival included “the screaming coming from the Illumina tent from the team dressed as the mad professors as they pulled off their eyebrows and moustaches” as well as the Rosie Maternity Team, dressed as characters from The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Senior midwife Annie West had stayed up until 2.30am the day of the festival hand sewing all the costumes, with midwife and boat drummer, Bethany Franqueira, deciding to shout ‘Push!’ to her team, rather than ‘one, two!’

Mark Robinson, VP and GM, UK and Ireland, said: “Illumina is proud to once again have joined forces with ACT to support the 2025 Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival. This year’s event was a fantastic success, bringing our teams together in support of a vital cause. It’s always inspiring to see the energy and generosity of our community as we raise funds for the new Cancer Research Hospital at Addenbrooke’s. We’re honoured to play a part in improving outcomes for children with cancer and giving back to the communities where we live and work.”

Lucy Morton, Executive Director at NewWave Events, said: “There was a great turnout this year with lots of new teams which is always nice to see, with absolutely fantastic fundraising efforts from everyone. We were really happy to see the sun shining and the fly past was the icing on the cake for us as it hasn’t been done for a few years.”

“Thank you to all of our event and media partners – Illumina, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, Cambridge Radio and Cambridge Independent.”

Nikki Murphy, Deputy Project Director for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital said: “Many thanks to everyone who came to the Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival this weekend, including all the crews, supporters and donors. This year’s event raised around £40,000 for the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, which will detect cancer earlier, treat it more precisely, and save more lives. We would also like to extend our thanks to Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust for organising such a great event! We entered our own crew for the second year running and it was fabulous to have our team of staff and patients involved in such a fun event.”

The best dressed category went to the ‘Rowfessors’ – one of Illumina’s three teams, dressed as mad professors in white lab coats, wild white wigs and stick-on eyebrows and moustaches. Highly Commended in the category went to the Rosie Maternity Hospital team, dressed as characters from The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Ark Colour Design, dressed as sunflowers.

Charity Trophy for top fundraiser went to Crestel Projects Limited, who as of Saturday had raised just shy of £1,700. Commended went to Ark Colour Design; Illumina; Thaxted Dragons; Telefonica Tech; Cambridge Vacuum Engineering and Cheffins (all who raised over £1,000). A special thank you goes to The Tivoli in Cambridge for donating a Mini Golf session with prosecco and pizzas for the top prize.

In Mixed Crew (minimum of five female paddlers), 3^rd place went to The Savillians from Savills; Runners up went to Hawaii Five-O from Four Corners Farming, with the Winning team – aptly named – The Winner Is! from TWI Ltd (UK).

Festival champions were Dragon Boat novices – Bango – whose exciting reaction to hearing they’d won was great to watch! They came first with a time of 62.79 seconds. 4^th place went to the Railway Arms with a time of 63.44; 3^rd place went to Penta Row Paddlers from Pentaco Construction, with 63.27 and runners up went to Speedy Boaty from TWI Ltd (UK) with a time of 63.06.

ACT would like to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone taking part who made this such a special event – with a pledge to make it ‘even bigger and better’ next year.

Donna Lee-Willis said: “Next year is going to be even bigger and better. We are going to raise more, have more teams and also add more activities on the day for families and entertaining.”

If you would like to donate to Cancer services at Addenbrooke’s and the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, please visit: www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/cancer

To reach ACT’s friendly fundraising team to find out what you can do to support our hospitals, visit: www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/fundraising

To listen to Cambridge Radio’s live coverage from the day, please click below:

Addenbrooke’s surgeons say robots unlikely to ever fully replace them in theatre – but say they could ‘co-pilot’

Posted on 28 July 202512 August 2025 by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

Surgeons from the robotic surgery team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge have said they don’t believe fully autonomous robots will ever replace them – but say they could foresee a future where they work alongside them, as in the aviation industry.

*Surgons using the robot equipment during surgery*

Speaking after their guest appearance on yesterday’s (Sunday 27 June) ACT’s Amazing People – a radio collaboration between Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) and Cambridge Radio – surgeons Siong-Seng Liau and Michael Powar were asked for their views on the future of robotic surgery, following a recent story to come out of the States, where researchers from Johns Hopkins University reported that a robot had performed realistic surgery on its own with 100% accuracy.

The robot, trained on videos of surgeries, was able to remove a gallbladder from a life-like patient, performing a total of 17 tasks within the surgery, performing with the expertise of a skilled human surgeon, even during unexpected scenarios typical in real-life medical emergencies.

Asked where he could see the future of robotic surgery going, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon Michael Powar said he did not think robots would ever work fully autonomously but did say he could foresee a future where robots would work alongside surgeons in theatre, much like co-pilots work alongside pilots in the aviation industry.

“There may be opportunities for AI and automated systems to co-pilot and support or automate certain parts of the procedure in theatre but again there are other aspects such as the ethics of this and who takes responsibility, so lots of things to consider but it is exciting and interesting and as long as it benefits patients that is the important thing.”

Mr Siong-Seng Liau, a Consultant Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgeon and Chair of the Robotic Steering Group at Addenbrooke’s, stressed the importance of keeping the ‘human’ element of operations, saying: “One of the things we must emphasise is that surgery is not just technical surgery. It is that relationship with the patient as well – and that can never be replicated from the robot standpoint and that is something you have heard about in the show in the case of my patient, Ms Hemming. It is so critical in ensuring that patients progress smoothly through the operation, especially complex operations like hers.”

Mr Liau and Mr Powar were interviewed on Sunday’s show, alongside Mr Liau’s patient, 76-year-old Ms Stephanie Hemming, from Cambridge, who was operated on using the da Vinci robotic system donated to Addenbrooke’s by ACT supporters.

Consultant Surgeons Mr Michael Powar, Mr Siong-Seng Liau and patient Stephanie Hemming at the Cambridge Radio studio — *L-R Consultant Colorectal Surgeon Michael Powar with Consultant Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgeon Siong-Seng Liau and patient Stephanie Hemming*

Discussing her surgery on the show, Ms Hemming, who now has a successful ‘second’ career in art following her retirement, spoke about her operation which involved 70% of her pancreas being removed along with her entire spleen following a shock diagnosis of pancreatic cancer – with the operation described by Mr Liau as “a very major surgery with high complexity given the proximity of the cancer to some very important vessels and structures.”

A £1.5 million public appeal, backed by the Cambridge Independent and supported by a huge swathe of the local community, saw the da Vinci Xi robotic system donated to Addenbrooke’s by ACT supporters in 2023.

ACT is the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and funds high-tech equipment, specialist staff, extra comforts and vital research above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide.

This year, ACT celebrates its 30^th year – and has revealed that in the first 30 years alone its supporters have raised more than £150 million towards supporting innovation in patient care.

Talking about the benefits of robot-assisted surgery, both consultants spoke about less invasive surgery, faster recovery times and quicker home times for patients.

The da Vinci Xi robotic system has also allowed some ‘firsts’ to take place at Addenbrooke’s since ACT supporters funded the robot back in 2023 – including what has been named ‘Surgery Super Sunday’ – where a team of highly-skilled robotic surgeons and clinical staff carried out a record number of gallbladder removal operations in a single day using high-tech robots that assist with keyhole surgery.

In addition, the same highly trained team of surgeons and clinical staff have now been able to perform their first ‘double’ robot-assisted surgery, operating on a cancer patient whose bowel cancer had spread to his liver. Following chemotherapy, the patient’s bowel cancer was removed by robot-assisted surgery, at the same time as the tumour in his liver.

“The patient knew everything was taking place at the same time and he didn’t have the anxiety and anguish of two separate procedures, recovering from one and getting well enough to have the second operation because that can take its time as well,” Mr Powar explained.

Patient Stephanie Hemming lying in bed as a patient doing a thumbs up — *Stephanie Hemming post-op*

Talking about her experience of having cutting-edge, robot-assisted surgery at Addenbrooke’s in January, Mr Liau’s patient, Ms Hemming, said her pancreatic cancer was only discovered by chance.

Having undergone another type of cutting-edge surgery at Royal Papworth six months earlier – a TAVI procedure, which is an alternative to open heart surgery where a new heart valve is inserted using a catheter whilst the patient is under sedation, Ms Hemming went to hospital with a ‘strange feeling’ in her chest – which she said she only reported because of her earlier heart surgery. Further investigations revealed she had Stage One pancreatic cancer, a very aggressive type of cancer that is normally discovered at a much later stage.

Describing herself as ‘lucky’ – not just for her early cancer diagnosis but also for being lucky enough to live in Cambridge and undergo two lots of cutting-edge surgery, including robot-assisted surgery – Ms Hemming also spoke about the importance of the emotional connection between surgeons and their patients, praising Mr Liau for his ability to be both ‘warm and authoritative’, adding: “Who would look forward to their meetings with a surgeon? But I would. He’s just a very nice man.”

Apart from many of the operational questions, Mr Liau and Mr Powar were also asked about the atmosphere in the operating theatre – with Mr Liau comparing the inside of the operating theatre to “a well-orchestrated symphony, where you have multiple members of the team doing their own respective roles and responsibilities to ensure the operation completes safely. Apart from not having music of course.”

Listen to Sunday’s ACT’s Amazing People, on robot-assisted surgery, and click here to read Ms Hemming’s story in full.

ACT’s Amazing People will return for a new series in the Autumn.

Donate to ACT to make a difference to the lives of both patients and staff at Addenbrooke’s.

#TeamAddenbrooke’s London Marathon runners raise more than £30,000 for Addenbrooke’s!

Posted on 29 April 202512 August 2025 by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

The 14 runners – each with their own very personal stories and reasons for running – completed Sunday’s Marathon on behalf of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) in what is one of the most celebrated events in the London calendar with over 50,000 runners coming together to raise money for a sea of good causes.

The total raised for ACT so far is just over £30,000, with donations still coming in.

Thanking all of the charity’s runners, Bridget Parr, ACT’s Community Fundraising Co-ordinator, said:

“All of them did amazingly. To be able to support them over the last year has been a real honour for me, just to be part of their journey. They are all so inspiring. They all have their own reasons for running – from people whose children have been ill or had life-saving operations, to another running in memory of a friend they lost, to one of our runners, who broke her neck and wasn’t sure she would ever be able to walk again, much less run, so to be there with her family when she passed our cheer point, was very emotional.”

Bridget was part of the ACT ‘cheer squad’ along with the charity’s Head of Community Fundraising, Donna Lee-Willis, positioned to the side of St Paul’s Church in Shadwell – so able to cheer runners at both the 13.5-mile mark and the 22.5-mile mark.

Thanking all of the amazing runners, Donna Lee-Willis, Head of Community Fundraising at ACT, said:

“London Marathon is by far one of my favourite events of the year. Watching thousands of people run, walk, jog the streets of London all for causes close to their hearts is emotional and inspiring. I cannot thank Team Addenbrookes enough – you are all simply incredible and we are all super proud of you. I have been cheering on runners at this event for 22 years and every year it fills me with total admiration. The money you have raised for ACT will enable us to continue making our hospital great. THANK YOU SO MUCH.”

All 14 ACT runners completed Sunday’s marathon, but for one, Sarah Barnard-Mitcham, it proved a real challenge after spraining her ankle on a water bottle at the start. She wasn’t feeling great around the 13-mile mark but walked with her sister – and carried on despite not feeling great, completing the 26.2-mile challenge in just over six hours.

Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust also got a mention in live coverage of the event when Liza Putwain was interviewed by BBC Sport reporter, Jeanette Kwakye, on the day, interviewing her on her way round the course.

Liza (pictured left) wanted to run for Addenbrooke’s as a way of thanking staff who cared for her after she broke her neck in a freak accident when she was flipped from an inflatable object during an assault course. The mum-of-three had been running the course in memory of her husband Ian, who had died unexpectedly eight months earlier.

Describing how amazing it was to be part of the London Marathon, the film studies teacher from just outside Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk said:

“It sounds corny but when you are running it, it just feels like the whole city just loves each other in a world where there’s so much negativity at the moment. It feels like you are a Premiership footballer because everybody is calling your name and wanting you to win. It’s like they are on your team and cheering you on. I heard ‘Liza come on you can do it’ thousands and thousands of times on Sunday.”

She said the special, emotional moments for her were seeing her three children, Ella, 17, Sophie, 13, and Charlie 11, on the side lines with her sister and niece. Other memorable moments including spotting two signs – Remember Your Why – and one that, she says, is her own mantra – We Can Do Hard Things – which is not surprising when you hear Liza’s own story.

“I say it all the time, to my kids particularly, and they say it back to me when I’m struggling. It’s like we say, we can do hard things. Life is tough but we can get through this, we can do it, so when I saw that sign I was like ‘oh my gosh, that’s my mantra.”

Asked what she is planning next, Liza said she is thinking of applying for a ballot place in the 2026 London Marathon but deferring for a year. She is also planning to run a half marathon with her niece – and do a HYROX event too.

“I was talking to another runner and we were saying it was like childbirth. It’s like, in that moment when you have just run the London Marathon, you’re like, ‘oh my gosh, that was horrific I will never do that again. And then you get the post marathon high and you’re like, ‘this is amazing’ and before you know it you are signing up to do it again.”

Just some of the more personal reasons runners had for taking part include:

Will Hemsley, running for ACT to thank staff at Addenbrooke’s Hospital who cared for his close friend Josh, who sadly lost his life in 2016, aged just 18.
Liza Putwain, with her story above.
Alfie Lowe who fundraised for ACT last year after his friend Rhuey was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, raising £1,500 for the charity by hiking the Edale skyline. This year, he ran the London Marathon in memory of his friend Alex Paterson, who they lost last year – saying: “Alex was one of the most loyal, caring and genuine people I knew, and he’s left a giant hole in a lot of our hearts.”
Chris Loveday whose wife Carly underwent a live kidney transplant at Addenbrooke’s in 2010. Carly fell pregnant in 2011 and was seen at regular intervals by both the transplant team and specialists at the Rosie. Nearly 2 years after her transplant, Carly was admitted to the Rosie with complications and the family were told to expect the worst – and daughter Flo was born by emergency C-section, 7 weeks premature and with life-threatening complications. Flo was cared for initially on NICU for 2 weeks and remained in special care in the Rosie for a further 3 weeks. Thanking Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie for all their care, Chris shared the news that this year, daughter Flo becomes a teenager!
Sarah Barnard-Mitcham (pictured below) who was treated at Addenbrooke’s after being diagnosed with High-Grade DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ) following a mammogram. Describing the care she received at Addenbrooke’s, Sarah said: “Throughout this process, the care I’ve received at the Cambridge Breast Unit at Addenbrooke’s has been nothing short of exceptional.” The hospital is also supporting her sister, Stephanie, as she navigates Early Onset Alzheimer’s, having been diagnosed at just 47. Sarah added: “Over the years, Addenbrooke’s has supported not just my family but countless others in our community. That’s why I’ve chosen to fundraise for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust.”

ACT thanked all this year’s “amazing runners” who were: Alex Tarrant, Chris Loveday, Will Hemsley, Richard York-Weaving, Josh Scarlett, Michelle Meads, Liza Putwain, Jack Smith, Ben Smith, Alfie Lowe, Amy De Selincourt, Darren Godfrey, Sarah Barnard-Mitcham, and Tanya Wagstaff.

All of the money raised from Sunday’s marathon will go to Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), the official charity for Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie. ACT funds cutting-edge equipment, groundbreaking research, and improvements to the environment for both staff and patients, above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide.

** If you would like to run for Team Addenbrooke’s in the 2026 London Marathon, sign up now for one of ACT’s charity places.

Applications can be made online at www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/londonmarathon2026

Runners who would like to apply for a place have until Monday 9 June at 9am. Anyone who is shortlisted will then be offered a telephone interview to talk about their fundraising plans and reasons for running – with TEAM ADDENBROOKES announced the week commencing Monday 23 June.

42 Technology and Addenbrooke’s Hospital develop AI innovation to improve newborn eye screening

Posted on 14 April 202511 April 2025 by sarah.rastrick@act4addenbrookes.org.uk

In some exciting news that we can share today – Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) has helped fund an advanced AI feature for a groundbreaking hand-held newborn eye screening device.

This innovation aims to further improve the accuracy of diagnosing congenital cataracts – the leading cause of avoidable childhood blindness worldwide – when babies are examined in maternity wards shortly after their birth.

Although part of an ongoing clinical trial, early findings look positive.

As part of our work, ACT doesn’t just fund new high-tech equipment for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie but also groundbreaking research like the NeoCam, which Dr Louise Allen, consultant paediatric ophthalmologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, has been working on.

ACT helped fund early development and testing of the first prototype device – known as CatCam – and later awarded an innovation grant so that the AI feature can be jointly funded with 42 Technology (42T), a product design and innovation consultancy, based near Cambridge, that is helping Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) to develop the AI feature.

Paul White, our Director of Communications and Impact, said: “One of our remits as the official charity for Addenbrooke’s is to help fund researchers like Dr Allen with their early research work and clinical trials, often investing at a stage where others are not quite ready to come on board.”

“By helping to fund innovative work like this in the early stages means we have the potential to help medical professionals like Dr Allen to make some quite innovative, groundbreaking discoveries within their field.”

To find out more about this exciting new development, read 42T’s news release below.

NEWS RELEASE BY 42 TECHNOLOGY (42T)

42 Technology (42T) is helping Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) to develop an advanced AI feature for a groundbreaking hand-held newborn eye screening device. This innovation aims to further improve the accuracy of diagnosing congenital cataracts – the leading cause of avoidable childhood blindness worldwide – when babies are examined in maternity wards shortly after their birth.

A prototype of the Neocam ophthalmic imaging device is currently being evaluated in a multi-centre clinical trial funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) as part of the Digital Imaging versus Ophthalmoscopy (DIvO) study. This five-year study, involving 30 NHS maternity units across England, aims to determine whether Neocam’s digital imaging technology can improve the detection of congenital cataracts compared with the standard ophthalmoscope test, which uses a bright visible light.

Although the final study outcomes are not due to be reported until 2027, the team has already noted some early positive findings. For example, several babies have been diagnosed with rare but significant visual conditions that were missed by the standard screening tests being done at the same time.

The new AI feature will enable Neocam to immediately assess the quality of images as they are taken, providing instant feedback to maternity staff on whether a captured image is clear enough for accurate evaluation. If an image does not meet the quality required, users can simply retake it. In future, the AI could also potentially be developed to alert the screening midwife or GP to a possible cataract or other eye abnormality but this is not the prime objective for the first AI model.

The software engineering team at 42T will use 46,000 de-identified images from the DIvO study to train the machine learning model. The aim being to integrate the new edge AI algorithms into the first commercially-available eye screening units so the device can analyse images using its existing processing capability – without added costs, needing any hardware redesign or impacting device performance.

The AI development project is being funded jointly by 42T and with an innovation grant from Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, which also helped fund early development and testing of the first prototype device called CatCam.

Dr Louise Allen, consultant paediatric ophthalmologist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge and Neocam’s inventor said: “This novel eye screening technology has been designed to be an affordable, easy-to-use tool to improve the accuracy of diagnosing congenital cataracts in babies. The new added AI feature will build on 42 Technology’s previous design and development work, while ensuring the device is even easier for midwives and GPs to use when it is launched commercially.”

42T was appointed in 2018 to help support development of the Neocam prototype, from initial design to clinical trials. The company played a key role in developing the industrial design, user interface, system architecture, optics and electronics, as well as producing 60 prototype Neocam units for early field trials by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in sub-Saharan Africa.