In This Section
Cancer patients to receive new treatments following €10m investment
A €10 million investment will be made in a cancer care project that is aiming to provide cancer patients in the south of Ireland with greater access to the newest cutting-edge healthcare.
The significant investment in cancer research & care was outlined today in the Aula Maxima during a special event, The Future of Cancer Research. Held to mark World Cancer Day, the event was opened by Minister Jerry Buttimer T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and at the Department of Transport.
With one in two people in Ireland facing a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, the disease remains one of the most significant health challenges facing the community.
Over five years, the €10 million investment, composed of clinical trial revenue and philanthropy, will see a project spearheaded by University College Cork (UCC) which will provide a streamlined connection between the latest cancer research and regional cancer centres; providing state of the art clinical trials to patients in the wider Cork region.
Working with the HSE South West and other partners, Cancer Research @UCC will develop a research ecosystem that will bring the latest international cancer research direct to those at risk of or living with a cancer diagnosis.
Decisive step in advancing Ireland’s long-term national ambition
Initiatives will target areas such as cancer therapeutics, the cancer microbiome, and supports for patients to live well with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. Fostering collaboration between scientists, clinicians, industry, charity partners, and patient advocacy organisations, the initiative will improve patient outcomes, reinforcing the region’s position as a leader in healthcare innovation.
It also represents a decisive step in advancing Ireland’s long-term national ambition to transform cancer research, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment at local, national, and international levels.
Welcoming the announcement, Professor John O’Halloran, President of University College Cork, said: “This investment represents a transformative moment for cancer research in Ireland. By backing world-class science, fostering collaboration and having the patient voice central to these plans, we are accelerating progress towards better outcomes for patients and their families.”
A spokesperson for the HSE South West, CEO of Cork University Hospital Ms Jennifer Kearney said, Cancer affects thousands of families across Ireland every year. This commitment will enable our researchers and clinicians to push boundaries, translate discoveries into real-world treatments, and deliver renewed hope to patients nationwide.”
Professor Roisin Connolly, Director of Cancer Research @ UCC and Academic Director of the CUH/UCC Cancer Centre, added, “Cork and Ireland have the talent, infrastructure, and ambition to lead internationally in cancer research that leads to improved survival and better experience after cancer. This investment by our region is a step change that demonstrates a long-term commitment by UCC and healthcare partners to innovation, health and people-focused outcomes. This builds on our regions recent success in developing a Health Research Board funded cancer trials network and attaining European OECI accreditation for the CUH/UCC Cancer Centre; a mark of quality and excellence associated with better cancer outcomes.”
Professor John F. Cryan, UCC Vice President for Research and Innovation, said: “This significant investment will play a major role in transforming cancer care through the delivery of a world-leading cancer research ecosystem at UCC. Cancer Research @UCC is a key UCC Futures Strategic Research Centre, and this investment will enable Professor Roisin Connolly and colleagues to advance new potential cancer treatments and deliver next generation cancer care to patients.”
Professor Helen Whelton, Head of the College of Medicine and Health said: “This is not just an investment in research it is an investment in people, families, and communities affected by cancer across Ireland. It gives real hope for better outcomes, improved care pathways, and ultimately, better lives.”