Newsletter
Issue 1 – Spring 2011
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Inside This Issue
The Launch
Who Are We?
A Day In The Life
FUNdraising Inspirations
Spring Quiz

Answers can be found on our website:
1.Oxygen and what other gas is exchanged in the lungs?
2.How many bones are found in the human hand?
3.When was the UK Emergency Number 999 first introduced?
4.What is the medical term for low blood sugar?
5.On a prescription, what does ‘qid’ mean?
6.What is the biggest organ in your body?

CHARITY BIKE RIDE
Sunday, 12th June 2011, 10.30am
Please join us to cycle 7 miles around the beautiful RichmondPark.
There are only 30 places so please book early to secure your place.
Cycles are available for hire at RichmondPark.
There is no registration fee, and no minimum sponsorship. We just ask you raise as much as you can! A prize will be given to the biggest fundraiser.
Cyclists will receive a commemorative T-shirt, goodies and a completion certificate.
For a registration form, please contact us on
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Launch of Breathing Matters


On 19th January 2011, Breathing Matters was launched. Professor Geoffrey Laurent, Director of the Centre for Respiratory Centre (CRR), was joined by his team of scientists and researchers as well as respiratory doctors from UniversityCollegeHospital.
The launch was attended by 120 patients and relatives. Speakers included Dr Jo Porter, Malcolm Weallans and Manjiry Tamhane who spoke about topics ranging from living with respiratory disease through to the importance of patient support in shaping future scientific research and ways you can directly help us.Scientists and doctors were on hand to talk about their current research and answer many probing questions.
Feedback from the event was very positive; many patients and relatives had not heard of the work of theCRR and gained hope by our efforts. Also, many scientists were inspired by meeting the patients whom their work helps.
A big thank you to all who came along and made the evening an entertaining and successful one.
Who Are We and What Do We Do?
Breathing Matters is the new Centre for Respiratory Research fund which ispart of the UCLH Charity (Reg No 229771). It has beenset up to raise awareness, provide patient support and help find a cure for respiratory diseases. The focus of our research is into pulmonaryfibrosis, lung infection and lung cancer, although our research touches on other diseases.
Breathing Matters supports the CRR in their commitment to find better ways to diagnose and treat respiratory diseases, but to alsoencourage patients, their families and friends tobecome actively involved as advocates, advisors, fundraisers or even participants.
For ways on how you can become involved,visit our website
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A Day in the Life … of a Scientist - Lindsey Edwards
…I work in the CRR as a postdoctoral research associate. I have been researching bacterial infections in the lung. Specifically, I investigate a bacterium called Streptococcus pneumoniae; how during infection of the lung this bacterium migrates across the lining of the lung, leading to inflammation, Pneumonia and Empyema.
My day consists of designing and carrying out experiments in the laboratory; recording, critically analysing and evaluating the data that I have generated. I also attend meetings to liaise with funding bodies and present work to collaborating groups as well as at national and international conferences.
The job is hard work and can often involve long hours, but the reward is in knowing that, in the future, your work makes a difference and may contribute to the alleviation of patient’s pain, suffering and loss of life due to disease. Looking back, would I change my job? The answer is simply no; I love being a scientist.
Unfortunately after writing this article, Lindsey's contract and researchstopped due to lack of funding.