Dame Helen Alexander became Chancellor of the University in 2011 and during that time was hugely supportive of the institution’s fundraising campaign to create a new Centre for Cancer Immunology research. Helen sadly lost her own battle with the disease and has asked that those wishing to make a donation in her memory, do so to this project.

Southampton leads the UK in this area of cutting edge research, which looks at harnessing the body’s own immune system to recognise and eradicate cancer cells. Potentially, these new treatments can give people a lifetime of immunity. A growing cohort of patients who were previously given months to live are now cancer free. The new Centre, based at University Hospital Southampton, will be the first of its kind nationally and connected to leading institutions worldwide. A purpose built facility, the Centre will enable interdisciplinary teams to expand clinical trials, explore new areas of work and develop lifesaving drugs. It will also be a place to train the next generation of scientists continuing the quest to find a cure for cancer. 

This is the biggest fundraising campaign the University has ever undertaken and one that Helen was proud to be part of.  She was a passionate advocate, as well as a personal donor, and spent a lot of time with the fundraising team helping to raise the £25m needed to make this Centre a reality. With £3.3m remaining and a year left to complete the campaign, any support in her memory will make an important difference.

Thank you.

 For more information please visit the website:www.southampton.ac.uk/youreit