Continuing to tackle cancer in the face of coronavirus
An update from Professor Richard Grundy, Professor of Paediatric Neuro-oncology and Cancer Biology:
Here at the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre we are adjusting to what is becoming our new normal, but making sure the ongoing research, diagnosis and treatment which you support continues – and most importantly looking after the wellbeing of our patients.
You will likely have seen stories in the news about a reduction in cancer referrals, for many families there is understandably an increased fear of hospital environments. However the relative risk of not seeking help for a child who may have cancer is much greater than the risk presented by coronavirus – an important message we can all share at this time.
Clinical staff here at the centre continue to be as busy as ever helping care for patients, but for laboratory staff it has been a case of adapting to focus on different areas of their work outside of the lab.
One key task was to ensure as many biological materials - cell and tissues samples - could be catalogued and stored before access to our laboratories was restricted. This required technicians to find cell stocks that could be thrown away and then moving the remaining cell stocks into as few liquid nitrogen tanks as possible to reduce the number which need to be maintained.
We have now in essence created a 'Noah's Ark' of cell stocks from each of the cell lines in storage. This was a vital undertaking which took hours, requiring staff to work under huge pressure.
Our new working conditions also provide a valuable opportunity to focus on desk-based research - which plays just as vital a role as laboratory work in improving the understanding, treatment and outcomes for children and young adults who develop brain tumours.
Finally there has also been an overwhelming response from staff volunteering to support the Covid-19 response here at the University, within the local community and in the laboratories at the nationwide testing centres. We have never been prouder to be part of this fantastic centre and the University community.
Although our world has been turned upside down, your support is arguably more vital than ever and we thank you for it.
Professor Grundy is also Chair of the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group. You can read its latest information and guidance about cancer treatment for children during coronavirus online.