LIMAVADY COUPLE JULIE AND GRAHAM LOUGHERY RAISE OVER £60,000 FOR CCRCB AT QUEEN’S
24 October 2019
In June 2019, Julie and Graham Loughery held a fundraising BBQ, auction and stock judging night on their farm which raised £60,200 to support breast cancer research at the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology (CCRCB) at Queen’s.
Donations were received from friends, family and the farming community – especially farmers at the Ballymena Livestock Market where Graham works as an auctioneer. Generous support was also shown from different societies which Graham and Julie have connections with.
In May 2018 Julie found a small lump. The doctor ‘red flagged’ her and Julie was seen at the breast clinic within a fortnight where she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Aged 43, Julie was 7 years away from her first NHS mammogram. Now following chemotherapy and a mastectomy she is ‘loving life again’. Julie is hoping her story will raise awareness of the importance of self-checking for both men and woman, and ultimately, save lives.
Julie said: “Thanks to the staff and surgeons at Altnagelvin Area Hospital I am feeling fit, healthy and able to live life as I did before. The kindness, care and attentiveness I have received has been second to none.
“The fun and hard work organising the BBQ has been so fulfilling. And to know that I am helping others battling this disease by supporting research into new treatments – which will hopefully do away with surgery and chemo in the future – is most rewarding.
“My surgeon Mr Padraig Diggin recommended the Queen’s Foundation, and in particular the breast cancer research that is carried out at the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Queen’s, with 100% of the money raised going directly into research in Northern Ireland.”
Julie continued: “I had hoped the BBQ would raise a substantial amount, and in return everyone would have a great night out. We have been absolutely blown away by the generosity towards our efforts to raise money for CCRCB.
“Without the help and support of friends and family it would not have been possible. I had a team of helpers who worked tirelessly alongside me for the months running up to the BBQ, making our sheep shed ready, selling tickets, collecting auction prizes and much more.
“On the night, friends and family cooked for a crowd of 700! All the food was donated by butchers and producers from near and far. Auctioneer William Blackburn conducted the auction which saw 80 lots go under the hammer, such as hotel vouchers, shepherds crooks, football/rugby shirts and weekends away to name but a few.
“The auction raised a staggering £28,000. People came from all over the country, England and Scotland too. There was something for everyone – food, dancing, music and even a bouncy castle and rodeo sheep for the kids!”
Julie was speaking while on a visit to CCRCB with her husband and consultant surgeon. There she met researchers, enjoyed a tour of the labs and found out first-hand about the important work carried out at Queen’s. She plans to share with all those who supported her efforts not only what she learned, but also what a huge difference their donations were making.
Mr Stuart McIntosh, Consultant Breast Surgeon and Clinical Researcher at CCRCB said: “It is down to gifts from donors like Julie and Graham that we are able to carry out ground-breaking research at Queen’s.
“The money raised will be used to support a three year PhD student who will carry out breast cancer research.
“I would like to express my personal thanks to everyone who supported them in raising this significant amount.
Housing over 300 international researchers, CCRCB brings together scientists, doctors and nurses who, by sharing knowledge and expertise, are developing lab-based discoveries into treatments that will benefit patients in Northern Ireland and beyond.
The Centre on the University’s Lisburn Road campus was officially opened in November 2007 by Senator George Mitchell, then Queen’s Chancellor.
“Thanks to research more than 85% of women live beyond five years after their diagnosis, with new tests developed to help decide which therapies will work for which patient, therefore helping to personalise breast cancer treatment.
“Supporters like Julie can help us develop new treatments faster and change the lives of women with breast cancer and their families.”
The Queen’s University of Belfast Foundation is the registered charity of the University. Since it was establishment in 1999, the Foundation has engaged with graduates and friends of the University to change lives by funding medical research such as cancer and by supporting students to realise their full potential through scholarships and prizes.
Thanking Julie and Graham Loughery, the Head of Health Fundraising in the Development and Alumni Relations Office at Queen’s, Teresa Sloan, said: “On behalf of CCRCB and the Queen’s University Foundation, can I say just how delighted and grateful we are for the wonderful generosity of the Loughery family, their friends and the members of their local community.
“Staff at CCRCB are working tirelessly to understand the biology of cancer, to improve treatments and to train the next generation of clinicians and scientists.
“The £60,200 will support a three year PhD student who will carry out breast cancer research at the University. Ultimately, this research will improve outcomes and the quality of life for patients here in Northern Ireland and further afield.”
To support health-related research at Queen’s visit the Development and Alumni Relations Office website or contact Teresa Sloan, Head of Health Fundraising, telephone +44 (0)28 9097 5394. Medical queries arising out of this news story should be raised directly with a GP/consultant and not with DARO staff.
For enquiries about this story, please contact Communications Officer, Gerry Power, Development and Alumni Relations Office, Queen's University Belfast or telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.
Photo caption (L-R): Julie Loughery pictured during her visit to CCRCB with Teresa Sloan (Head of Health Fundraising at Queen’s), Dr Kienan Savage (CCRCB), Graham Loughery, Mr Stuart McIntosh and Mr Padraig Diggin.
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