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Hannah’s Wilberry Wonder Pony charity announces new research project

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Wilberry Wonder Pony funding new cancer research

Alongside Middlesex University, the charity aims to uncover what causes bone cancer to spread to other tissues

Announcing its very first fully funded PhD studentship, Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony charity will work alongside Middlesex University in the Centre for Investigative and Diagnostic Oncology. The research will be led by senior lecturer Dr Helen Roberts and aims to find out why osteosarcoma – a rare type of bone cancer – spreads to other tissues in the body.

The charity was first established by rider Hannah Francis following her diagnosis with osteosarcoma in 2015. She hoped to spread awareness and raise money to help research the disease and ensure others didn’t have to suffer through tough treatment as she did. She passed away at just 18 in August 2016 – only five short months after establishing her charity.

Survival rates of osteosarcoma have remained largely unchanged for the past 30 years, partly due to lack of research. Dr Helen Roberts said: “I’m delighted that Hannah’s Wilberry Wonder Pony charity has given me the opportunity to investigate why osteosarcoma tumours metastasise to the lungs.” The project will also involve Dr Scott Roberts, who’s spent more than a decade developing lab-grown tissues used for regenerative medicine.

Rachel Francis of Hannah’s Wilberry Wonder Pony charity said: “We’re very excited to be announcing this new project, which is our sixth and the first PhD programme that we’re fully funding. It also represents our first engagement with Middlesex University, and we look forward to working with the team. Hannah would be amazed to see her charity is already funding six projects and we’re so proud of her continuing legacy.”

For more information, visit willberrywonderpony.org

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