Blood cancer patients across Blackpool and Cumbria are set to benefit from a vital new partnership between Blackpool Teaching Hospitals and Booths Supermarkets following the appointment of a new Cure Leukaemia Research Nurse – proudly funded by the family-owned grocers for the next two years.

The partnership will see Booths raise a minimum of £50,000 for two years through across a range of fundraising initiatives to benefit blood cancer patients across Lancashire and Cumbria – and the hospital is proud to announce Denise Bennett as the newest member of their impressive Research team.

Research Nurses help connect patients to potentially lifesaving medicine and their role in administering these trials is vital to developing effective new treatments for blood cancers.  As a result, patients have access to new treatments, allowing them access to lifesaving new therapies.  The appointment will support research work spearheaded by the Trust’s Consultant Haematologist Dr Paul Cahalin and his team.

Speaking on the appointment of Denise Bennett, Dr Paul Cahalin, Consultant Haematologist, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals commented: “The benefits cannot be overstated. We can’t stress how grateful we are to the Booths team, and the generosity of Booths customers. Accessing treatments locally helps patients and families lead more normal lives while they receive treatment, being nearer to home makes a real difference to their overall well-being and quality of life.”

“The appointment of Denise will not only improve the staffing levels within our research team but will give that security and understanding that leukaemia research is so integral to the work that we do here in Blackpool.”

Nigel Murray, Managing Director, Booths explained: “Funding a local and dedicated leukaemia research nurse in Blackpool is something we are incredibly proud to do. Dedicated research nurses play such a vital role in medicine, their role in administering treatment, supporting the patients and giving wider and crucial insight in how a patient copes with treatment is invaluable.   

“It is clear that since the announcement that Booths would be funding a brand new position here in Blackpool, that the team have been working incredibly hard behind the scenes and, in Denise, have appointed a superb candidate into the role.

“Her knowledge and passion for treating leukaemia really shone through when I met her. By helping to fund this position, it means that the Blackpool and Lancashire area have a much greater propensity to treat a wider range of leukaemia for patients and their families to go through, in what are quite difficult treatment processes.”

James McLaughlin, Chief Executive at Cure Leukaemia added, “We are thrilled to add Denise to our growing national footprint of Cure Leukaemia Research Nurses across the UK. It is clear that both Denise, Dr Cahalin and the wider team are incredibly passionate about, not only treating leukaemia, but are leading the way in the field of clinical trials and AML treatments for blood cancer patients.”

“The support of Booths for both the charity and the hospital is incredible and I can’t wait to see the Blackpool team cement their place as one of the leading hospitals facilitating clinical trials.”