The University is delighted to announce it has reached its £25m target to fund the UK’s first dedicated Centre for Cancer Immunology.
The fundraising campaign is the most ambitious the University has ever undertaken and was reached six months ahead of schedule – in time for World Cancer Day (4 February 2018).
It has been delivered entirely through philanthropic donations including fantastic support from staff, students, local, national and international community fundraising efforts.
There has been an overwhelming response from everyone at the University; staff and students have donated, fundraised, run marathons, held bake sales, rowed round the UK, supported the campaign on social media and more. It has truly been a collective effort and everyone involved should feel immensely proud.
Scientists will move into the state-of-the-art Centre next month and Director for the Centre, Professor Tim Elliott cannot wait.
“We are thrilled to have reached the £25m target for our new Centre for Cancer Immunology and are eternally grateful to everyone who has contributed,” he said. “The efforts that people have gone to have been truly inspiring, we cannot thank you enough. The University has made major advances in tumour immunology and immunotherapy research and we strongly believe the new Centre will go a long way in discovering new treatments and helping more people.”
Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, President and Vice-Chancellor said:
“This is a significant day for the University. We are delighted and proud to have reached our target of £25m to fund this pioneering research centre, the first of its kind in the UK. We are immensely grateful to everyone who made a contribution to the campaign – big or small. The next few years will see great advances in immunotherapies for cancer with the University of Southampton at the very forefront of discovery.”
To celebrate reaching our target, please join us today to help spread the news about our new life-saving Centre in the run up to World Cancer Day, by wearing something white and sharing photos on social media using #WearingWhite between 1 – 4 February (visit southampton.likn.co/youreit/wearingwhite for full details of how to get involved). If you are at Highfield, don’t forget to come to the group #WearingWhite photoshoot in the atrium of Building 37 at 12.15pm.
