John Addenbrooke lecture Archives - Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust

This year’s John Addenbrooke Lecture provided an evening of insightful presentations, stimulating conversations, and the opportunity to be part of a community dedicated to making a difference.

The annual event saw an exceptional line up of speakers all of whom are leaders within their field:

Dr. Ken Poole, an esteemed Academic Consultant in Rheumatology and Metabolic Bone Disease, presented his latest findings that are transforming the approach to bone health and rheumatologic care. Professor Matthias Zilbauer, Clinical Professor of Paediatric Gastroenterology, shared his ground-breaking research and insights into children’s digestive health, and Sue Broster, Director of Innovation, Digital, and Improvement, discussed the innovative strategies and digital advancements driving improvement in healthcare delivery.

Click below to watch a recording of the 2024 John Addenbrooke Lecture:

The lecture, which was held at Astra Zeneca’s imposing building on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, was hailed a huge success by ACT’s Director of Communications and Impact, Paul White:

“We couldn’t have been prouder of ACT and its impact following the John Addenbrooke’s Lecture. For so many of our valued supporters to be there, listening to the extraordinary talks by some of the hospital’s leaders in research and innovation, really showcased what our charity – and our supporters – can, and do, achieve across Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie.”

He continued: “To hear three remarkable individuals, who between them are changing the way we treat life-limiting conditions such as osteoarthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, and driving forward innovation that will go on to save and change countless lives, talk of how grateful they are to ACT and its supporters, and how their work has only been possible because of the people in that room, was a moment to really be proud of – and one which will motivate us to do even more going forward.”

If you would like to make a change today, and donate to ACT to help fund ground-breaking research and equipment within our hospitals, please click here. To here more about ACT’s activities sign up at the foot of our homepage.

Nearly 200 people who attended the John Addenbrooke Lecture on 24 February heard the exciting news that more than £1.25 million has been raised and pledged towards the £1.5 million fundraising target to purchase a new surgical robot for Addenbrooke’s.

The annual event, hosted by Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), heard from leading Addenbrooke’s surgeons Professor Grant Stewart and Mr Siong-Seng Liau, who shared their experiences of the benefits of robotic surgery and how it could transform care for thousands of patients. Click here to view a recording of the lecture.

Dr Ashley Shaw, Medical Director at Cambridge University Hospitals, also shared his expert perspective on how innovation, such as robotic surgery, will help our much-loved hospital recover at a critical time for the NHS.

The running total for the appeal currently stands at £1.25 million. ACT CEO Shelly Thake and CUH Medical Ashley Shaw made an impassioned appeal on the night for those attending to help close that gap as quickly as possible. Nearly £10,000 was raised on the evening for the robot from attendees.

The charity is now calling on the public to help them close the gap and raise the remaining £250,000 as soon as possible.

Shelly Thake said: “We hope the event shone a light on the need for another surgical robot and reinforced our call to the wider public to help us smash our target very soon.

“We are so grateful to Grant, Siong and Ashley, along with many others, for giving their time and support to this appeal. It was a fantastic lecture evening – even though it had to be held virtually because of Covid considerations – and we have posted the video online for those who want to view it again or for the first time.

“It is incredible that we have raised such a substantial amount for this appeal in under a year. It highlights the strength of support for the NHS and Addenbrooke’s. It also shows that people understand why having an additional robot at Addenbrooke’s can make such a big difference.”

The evening’s events were introduced by Dame Mary Archer DBE by video link and Shelly Thake hosted the panel who were broadcast live from the John Addenbrooke Library at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge.

See campaign updates and a video of the evening’s events at www.helpyourhospital.co.uk/robot.
View Q and A’s from the event here.

As well as individual donations, fundraisers are contributing significant sums through events such as Step for Addenbrooke’s, the Cambridge Half Marathon and other ultra-challenge events over the coming months.

Shelly Thake added: “We have been bowled over by the support and donations for this Surgical Robot appeal. It gives us massive hope that people are willing to help Addenbrooke’s survive and thrive in a challenging climate. And it gives us strong optimism that our future campaigns for the Cambridge Cancer Hospital and the Cambridge Children’s Hospital will be equally well supported and funded.”

Tag: John Addenbrooke lecture

John Addenbrooke Lecture inspires and drives meaningful changes in healthcare

Robot Appeal to buy Addenbrooke’s a new surgical robot reaches £1.25 million mark

Click here to donate to our Robot Appeal