Charity Christmas campaign shines a light on pioneering cancer research in Leeds

Yorkshire Cancer Research is shining a light on life-saving cancer research in Leeds this Christmas, with a dazzling installation of stars outside the Bexley Wing at St James’s Hospital.

The display is part of the charity’s ‘Help Yorkshire Shine’ Christmas campaign, to raise awareness of the pioneering cancer research that is helping prevent, diagnose and treat cancer in Yorkshire. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are giving people in Leeds and beyond more Christmases to enjoy with their family and friends.

Every two hours in Leeds, someone is told they have cancer. That’s 13 people every day, or 88 people a week. Thanks to supporters, Yorkshire Cancer Research is bringing world-leading cancer research and cancer experts to Yorkshire, so more people in the region can access innovative new treatments and more lives can be saved.

Supporting the campaign is 59-year-old David Gold, a Leeds resident who has benefitted from the pioneering clinical trial, FOxTROT 3, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research and led by researchers at the University of Leeds and University of Birmingham.

David was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in August 2023 after experiencing breathlessness and pain in his right arm. The diagnosis came as a shock to David and his family, who had no prior experience of a loved one being affected by cancer.

Following his diagnosis, Mr Richard Baker, Consultant General Surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, recommended FOxTROT 3, a clinical trial which is investigating how chemotherapy before surgery can help improve cancer outcomes.

As part of the trial, David underwent two rounds of chemotherapy prior to the planned surgery to remove his tumour. The FOxTROT treatment was a success, and the tumour shrank by one third, making surgery more straightforward and less invasive.

Despite these positive steps towards recovery, David unfortunately found himself still in hospital last Christmas Day after becoming ill with pneumonia following his surgery, making the holiday period even more challenging for him and his family.

David said: “After spending last Christmas in hospital recovering from my cancer surgery, I’m so happy to be planning to spend the festive period at home with my family this year.”

After four more rounds of post-surgery chemotherapy, David is now having six-monthly checks to hopefully confirm he remains cancer-free.

Professor Jenny Seligmann, chief investigator of the FOxTROT programme and consultant medical oncologist at the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, said: “The FOxTROT 1 trial led to one of the biggest advances in the last 15 years for colon cancer. FOxTROT 2 and 3 have built on that success, enabling us to start tailoring treatment to patients’ needs and extend that personalised, evidence-based, pioneering therapy to a wider range of people, as well as establishing Leeds as a multidisciplinary centre of excellence for bowel cancer.

As part of the Yorkshire Cancer Research ‘Help Yorkshire Shine’ campaign, people in Leeds can dedicate a star with a personal message and see their Yorkshire Star shine brightly on the charity’s online gallery.

David is dedicating a star to his wife Anne, for being “my absolute rock”, and his surgeon Mr Baker and the medical team at St James’s Hospital.

Speaking on his experience of being in hospital over Christmas, David commented: “I am extremely proud of my family who showed such resilience last Christmas when I was in hospital.”

“Given the memories of last year, this Christmas will be far from normal, but it will be extra special for us all to be together. I’m really looking forward to all the traditions we missed out on last year – from arguing over who wins at Uno to playing Wham! at full blast!”

Dr Kathryn Scott added “People who participate in clinical trials, like David has, are the real stars in cancer research, enabling researchers to find new and better treatments, so more lives can be saved. I am so pleased that David and his family will be back enjoying their favourite Christmas traditions together.”