First Breast Cancer Research Grant Recipient

5 August 2002

The ASB New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation Research Fund Announces First Grant Recipient

Canterbury's Associate Professor Bridget Robinson is the recipient of the first grant from The ASB New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation Research Fund.

With the grant Professor Robinson's research team will investigate lymphangiogenesis, which is the growth of lymph vessels, and how breast cancer tumours commandeer the blood and lymph supply to grow and spread throughout the body.

"From this research we're hoping to ultimately develop treatments that will both prevent the growth of cancers, and stop the cancer from metastasising (becoming advanced)," says Professor Robinson.

"We are very excited to have been awarded the grant to be able to undertake this work. There have been a number of developments in breast cancer research in the past 10 years, but we need a much bigger breakthrough to improve outcomes for New Zealand women. The grant will help us move towards this goal," she says.

The fund was set up in September 2001 and is dedicated solely to breast cancer research in New Zealand. The fund has a starting base of $50,000 per annum, contributed equally to by both the Foundation and its principal sponsor ASB BANK.

Rosie Horton, president of the Foundation, says "we are delighted to be able to provide an opportunity to fund research of this nature, which will be of great benefit to New Zealand women in the future."

"ASB Bank is committed to being One Step Ahead and is proud to be part of this exciting research project. We congratulate Professor Robinson and wish her huge success with this project," says an ASB Bank spokesperson.

Grants are allocated by the Foundation's medical advisory committee, chaired by Dr Belinda Scott, and made up of clinicians from the breast cancer field. The criteria for evaluating applications were based on an assessment of scientific merit, feasibility, originality, significance and ability to achieve its objectives.

Professor Robinson was chosen from five applicants as the first recipient of this annual grant.

The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation can be contacted on TelstraClear toll free 0800 902 732 or visit http://www.nzbcf.org.nz.

Released on behalf of The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation by Porter Novelli New Zealand (Auckland) Ltd.

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